If you’re selling clothing, make sure you wash it before you display it. No one will buy your clothes if they smell like someone else’s body odor.
Using grocery bags can also prevent theft. If you see someone walking away with an un-bagged item, you’ll know they haven’t paid for it.
Display your prices clearly. People are generally more likely to buy items if they know how much it costs. Consider offering some kind of bargain. For example, you can give your customers a discount on old books if they buy more than one.
Have change on hand. Not many people carry around correct change so you want to be well-stocked. Consider using a credit-card swiping device. These are readily available in many electronics stores and can be linked to your bank account.
Raise awareness using social media to attract the largest possible customer base. Websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Craigslist can be useful when attracting younger people. Conversely, consider taking out an advertisement in your local paper’s classified section. Many older people use the newspaper to find garage sales.
Saturdays and Sundays are by far the most popular days for moving sale shoppers. If you need to host it another day, you may not see many customers.
If you have a lot of kids toys, set up a “kids area” on an old carpet. Post a sign saying that kids can “test” the toys while their parents’ shop. Display clothing on clothing racks so it’s easier to browse through.
If you’re anticipating a large crowd, ask a trusted friend or family member to run the refreshment booth for you.
