Done with your spring cleaning? Not so fast.
It’s garage-sale time, and that means that stuff piled up in your attic, basement, crawl space or garage is ripe for the picking — and profit.
You have no idea how much those accumulated items might be worth until you try to sell them. You think it’s junk. Others may see it as jewels.
Here are some hot items: bottles of all kinds, baseball cards, lawn mowers, camping articles, guns, tools, coins, old books, comic books (old and new), aprons, old-fashioned bonnets, salt and pepper shakers, needlework, jewelry and dishes, doll clothing and accessories, toys, homemade items and fresh produce.
Timely tips
Here are some tips for having a successful and unharried sale.
• Your schedule: Set a date and time when you can devote your full time to the event and for gathering up sale articles.
• Change: Have plenty of change on hand.
• Advertise: Be specific, concise and honest. State the place, date and hours. If you run your ad one day only, have it in the Thursday newspaper.
• Best days: The best days for your sale are Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Sundays are usually a waste of time unless you’re staying at home all day doing nothing anyway.
• Antiques: Rare items go over big regardless of state of repair or condition. Give details to save disappointments.
• Variety: Have a large quantity of items to sell, and don’t be afraid to drag out outgrown items, old dishes, two-of-a-kind items you don’t really need, and generally “clean house.”
• Display: String up a clothesline to display clothing. Children’s clothing goes over best.
• Cheap: People look for bargains. Don’t disappoint them.
• Price: Show a price on all merchandise.
• It works: Be sure you have electrical outlets nearby to plug in toasters, blenders, electric skillets, irons, hair dryers, etc., to show people that your articles do work.
* Careful: If you have any fragile, rare or expensive items such as crystal, cut glass or jewelry, be sure they are displayed on a sturdy table and up high out of reach of kids.
