5 Tips For A Successful Garage Sale In Philadelphia

Garage sales are a great way to earn extra money and have fun along the way. People are always in search of a bargain, and you never know what items can be on a list. Clean out your closets and go through the piles that have been accumulating over the past couple of years. Get rid of these unwanted items to clear out some space in the house. Not only can this be a cleansing experience, but it can also be an opportunity to interact with neighbors and meet new people. Your unused or unwanted items can be someone else's treasure, so start planning this spring's yard sale.

1. Get the word out: One of the key components of having a successful garage sell is getting the word out. This can be done by putting up flyers around your neighborhood and listing an ad in your local community newspaper. In addition to advertisements, don't underestimate the power of spreading information the old fashion way by word of mouth.

2. Prepare: May sure you have a plan and pricing in place well in advance of your sale. Check the weather report to avoid any unexpected delays or cancellations. Make your prices fair so people will want to buy. Proper preparation is an easy way to stay on target and ensure that you reach your goals of the day.

3. Involve neighbors: Get the whole neighborhood involved and make it a seasonal or annual event. Bigger garage sales draw more attention. Pass out flyers to your neighbors and make them commit to showing up. Passersby will be more likely to slow when they see a crowd.

4. Be willing to negotiate: On the day of the sale, be ready to budge on prices. You are encouraged to barter because the ultimate purpose is to sell. If that means marking the price down, then so be it. Keep in mind that you no longer wanted these items, so getting any money for them is a profit.

5. Sell refreshments: Everyone loves homemade goods and beverages, especially when they're shopping. Consider setting some out to keep your customers happy. Happy shoppers make happy buyers.

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These local businesses and organizations may be of help:

The Career Wardrobe
21 S 12th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 568-6693
careerwardrobe.org

Hours: Mon to Fri - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat and Sun - Closed

Get rid of those leftover clothes by donating them to The Career Wardrobe. This organization specializes in women's clothing and accessories, so unload your quality remains from the day.

Greene Street Consignment Shop
700 South St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 733-9261
greenestreetconsignmentshop.com

Hours: Mon to Thurs - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fri and Sat - 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sun - 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Greene Street Consignment Shop is another great resource for unloading remaining items after the sale. They accept both men's and women's clothing.

Vamp
4231 Main St
Philadelphia, PA 19127
(215) 487-2340
vampboutique.net

Hours: Tues to Sat - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun and Mon - Closed

Vamp takes only name brand clothing, so if you have anything that fits these requirements, drop them by. The boutique is only a couple of years old, but has been extremely successful since the beginning.

Related: Spring Cleaning That Can Be Done Now

For more great tricks, tips and advice about your home, visit CBSPhiladelphia/YourHome.