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Stoop Sale Savvy

by Brandi Savitt - May 3rd, 2012

Gross the Most at Your Next Garage Sale

If you've ever strolled through Brooklyn between April and October, you know that you can't walk down the streets on the weekends without stumbling upon multiple stoop sales (our urban version of a garage sale). And this Sunday, my co-op is hosting a stoop sale in the front yard of our brownstone. Our goal? To sell as much unwanted clutter from our apartments as possible, and put our collective earnings towards a bunch of small repairs we need to make in the building. At the end of the day, what ever we don't sell we'll donate to Goodwill. Not a bad idea, right? In fact, I'm excited to mingle with the passerbys, bargain with hardcore rummagers, and rake in some cash. Our expectations are high, so I talked to the one expert who rocks it every time - our favorite garage sale guru, Sofia Black. Check out her tips on how to turn your front yard into an inviting and lucrative boutique for the day. --Remember- one woman's junk is another woman's treasure!

Set Up Your Shop Strategically

When you're setting up shop, think like a boutique owner and lure the foot traffic in with inviting and prominent signage. Another trick to get people to stop and shop is to display an eye catching item at the front of sale that people can see from the street. But the real strategic key to your set up is to keep any furniture and BIG ticket items closer to the house. You want your customers to have a reason to walk through your entire display and see everything while they make their way back to those super steals!

Create Streamlined Displays

When your setting up your displays, keep in mind how YOU like to shop. Categorize items into sections so it's easier for people to peruse - women's clothing, men's shoes, housewares, etc. If you're selling a lot of clothes, try grouping all the like colors together a la Goodwill - it helps to create a more calming shopping experience. Use brightly different colored stickers for price tags. And set up a freebie box of things you know won't sell. People love to get something for free, and it encourages them to want to buy something else!

Get Your Cash in Check

The worst thing is to lose a sale because you can't make change! Make sure you go to the bank and get at least $30-40 worth of singles, some fives and some tens (these amounts will depend on what your selling and at what prices - do the math). When you start to make some sales, take your initial investment out of the till before you forget - especially if your hosting the sale with other people!

Set the Mood with Music

Sofia swears the playing some background tunes relaxes people and inspires them to shop longer - assuming you aren't blasting Metallica. Think soft and chill... maybe a little Iron & Wine or some Ella Fitzgerald? Cool jazz is always a garage sale favorite!

Bundle the Bargains

Be ready for your customers to haggle, but don't be shy about suggesting a package deal to someone either. If you have a customer who wants to buy a sweater and a book, let them know that if they buy something else, you'll give them an even better deal! ** By the way, having a stoop or garage sale is a great way to teach kids about money. In fact, I remember helping to orchestrate a few lucrative garage sales with my family growing up and had a blast doing it! What are your favorite garage sale tips?

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