Get More People to Stop and Shop at Your Garage Sale!
Let's face it. Nothing attracts a crowd like... a crowd. People driving by your garage sale are far more likely to stop and shop if they see a group of people gathered; it gives the impression there's something worth stopping for.
Today's Garage Sale Tip for Sellers is from Pam Detzk (a.k.a. "The Craigslist Queen.") A talented interior designer and author of the popular DIY design blog, "Simple Details," Pam is the undisputed Queen of decorating with Garage Sale and Craigslist finds to create stylish, yet comfortable spaces for family and clients in the Denver, CO area.
No. 2 on Pam's list of garage sale tips for attracting a crowd and negotiating for top dollar is rather ingenious and one you probably haven't heard before.
Pam writes:
"ATTRACT A CROWD
1. Don't open your gate on time, allow an extra 5-10 minutes for people to start forming a little crowd, it makes everyone driving by all the more intrigued! (While they're waiting do some last minute pricing.) No gate? Use a piece of construction tape or rope across your driveway.*
2. Make sure they have something enticing to look at while they're waiting! I always set up a 'room' at the end of the driveway, it's what people see when they're driving by and deciding whether or not to stop."
*Be sure to have a sign that says when you will return. If you return BEFORE the posted time, it leaves people with the impression you were early instead of late.
Think of it like the velvet rope at a club
According to bestselling author and lifestyle expert, Bruce Littlefield, temporarily roping off the entrance to your Garage Sale is equivalent to the velvet rope at a club. He says it builds "a frenzy."
“I set up a rope across my driveway and a sign that says when the rope will be dropped," Littlefield writes in Garage Sale America, "You get a crowd of people gathered there at your rope and create a frenzy over your stuff with competition to the right and left of them. When you drop the rope, people literally run to get the things they want.”
“I set up a rope across my driveway and a sign that says when the rope will be dropped," Littlefield writes in Garage Sale America, "You get a crowd of people gathered there at your rope and create a frenzy over your stuff with competition to the right and left of them. When you drop the rope, people literally run to get the things they want.”
Bottom line? To quote one of my favorite garage sale bloggers,
"The more people who a.) see your sale, then b.) choose to slow down when driving by your sale, and c.) actually get out of the car to have a look around your sale... the more you will sell."
"The more people who a.) see your sale, then b.) choose to slow down when driving by your sale, and c.) actually get out of the car to have a look around your sale... the more you will sell."
So, take a tip from Pam...
Thanks Pam!
That's a trick I'm definitely trying at my next garage sale. Who's with me?!
What tips or tricks do you have for hosting a successful garage sale? Please make my day and share your experience in a comment below!
—Happy Garage Saling!
Recommended for you:
- GARAGE SALE TIP: Cater to Hungry Shoppers
- GARAGE SALE TIP: Does your furniture measure up?
- GARAGE SALE TIP: One for the books!
- GARAGE SALE TIP: Sell Everything Garage Sale Pricing
- Tweak your ads to attract back-to-back sell-out crowds
Garage Sale Resources:
- Signs, eBooks, Directories, Donation Pick-Up, Free Supplies
- FREE Online Item Identification & Price Guides
- Calendar of City-Wide & Neighborhood Garage Sales
- FREE Printable Garage Sale Signs, Price Tags & Checklists
Tips • Signs • Finds • Sales • Price Guides • DIY • Pricing • OKC Craigslist
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