What do you like to see at a garage sale?

Signs that are clear are of the utmost importance. They can be simple with bold arrows pointing you in the right direction with the address on them. Using florescent oak tag/poster board is also great as it makes it easy to see. Be sure to check on any ordinances in your area for putting signs up and be sure to take them down so folks don't show up the follow week/weeks looking for bargains.

I agree with the food/drink. When I had a sale several years ago I purchased several cases of soda on sale. I kept them cold in a cooler and sold them for $1 each and made quite a profit. You can also get a large thing of individual packages of chips, granola bars, etc at the supermarket or a wholesale club and sell those as well.

Have lots of bags on hand. Save the ones you get when you purchase groceries or go to Target. Just make sure they are not ripped.

Try to see if others in your area would like to hold a sale at the same time. This way when you advertise you can state multi family or multi block sale. This attracts more customers because you can go to one area and find lots of great stuff. This also helps with advertising costs. If everyone chips in $5 or so per day (if you are doing this on a Saturday and Sunday) the funds can be pooled together and you can place several decent ads in the local Pennysavers/Newspapers (which sometimes offer free or discounted ads for garage sales). You can also then have a budget for flyers. Most supermarkets allow community postings where you can put them up.

If you are selling children's items be sure to mention it in any ads. Before I had a child this did not matter to me but now I run to see what I can find. Make sure to clean up any large plastic toys. Check for all the pieces and use a rubberband to close boxes to games or puzzles and use a post it to note that the item has been checked for all pieces.

If you are going to sell electrical items try and run a long extension cord out to the driveway so folks can test items before purchasing them.

If you are going to price items individually try to use the post it notes or other easily removable stickers so if someone wants to use an item for a gift they don't have to worry about removing it.

Make tables for items with like pricing -- $1 table, $2 table, etc. Promote bargains such as a sign that says $1 each or 6/$5 to move items -- who wants to drag stuff back in.

Be prepared for folks to haggle. Price things slightly higher than you actually want but have a fixed amount of money that you want for an item. You can figure that out be weighing how much the item is worth bringing back into your home versus getting something for it. Some people offer really low amounts which are insulting . . . If you honestly think you can get more for it make a counter offer but be prepared to have folks walk away.

If possible hang clothing items up. If you don't have a clothing rack perhaps you can hang some string and have the items on hangers. I hate going through piles of other peoples clothing. I also don't really look at the stuff that is strewn across the lawn.

Large items such as furniture and/or children's toys should be placed near the street so folks can see them. Often people will drive by and eye ball a sale. What they can see determines if they want to stop and look.

If you have children who can handle it something nice to have is a lemonade stand. Some of the money they raise can be donated to Alex's Lemonade Stand a charity that raises money for pediatric cancer research. You can learn more about Alex and the organization by checking out http://www.alexslemonade.org/.

Definnately have lots of change on hand. Singles are huge as are quarters. Keep all money close. Home Depot sells a canvas tool holder with a few pockets that ties around your waist. That way the money is always in one place.

If you have lots of small like items group them together and sell them as a lot . . . Place a bunch of army men together in a small clear plastic bag. The same thing can be done with things like barrettes or other items . . . The same can be done with kids clothing but instead of pre bagging them allow people to make their own lots -- sell kids t-shirts for $.50 each or 10 for $4.

Make sure you have chairs to sit in and shade from the sun. Try and have at least one other person with you at all times and I suggest not letting anyone in your home to try things on or use the bathroom. If you have a lot of clothing you can perhaps have a corner of the garage with a string and a sheet giving someone privacy.

I am sure others can add lots more but these are the things I can think of off the top of my head.

Good luck!

Maddy