[chappy]

I need to have a garage sale soon. Are there any guidelines for garage sales in The Villages? Any recommendations for a successful sale?

[mulligan]

easy guidelines. everything must be in the garage, not on the driveway, and no signs allowed.

[JAV0108]

North of 466, signs are allowed now in your own yards. I also have seen lots of garage sale signs on corners with arrows pointing to the sale, they just take them down as soon as sale is over. Advertising on TOTV is a great way also.

[NotGolfer]

Post here for free! Also use balloons to "advertise"...put on street sign, but take off when sale is done.

Price your items reasonably!! I've seen too many folks who think that the value should be high because they paid a certain amount fot the item. You will more easily get rid of items if priced well. (this goes for re-sale as well when you post "for sale" items!!! Think what you see at re-sale shops for instance)

[Bogie Shooter]

Don't turn early birds away. Why tell someone at 7:45 you will not open until exactly 8:00 ( the advertised starting time)?
Its better to open the door when you are ready, rather than waiting untill 8:00 and have 15-25 people all at one time come into the garage. Never could figure that one out.
Have fun!

[NotGolfer]

We had a huge disappointment when "outfitting" our house....a party had advertised HUGE moving sale (and listed the items) with a time of start. Several of us got there early and were all lined up. After awhile...close to the start time the party came out and said that they'd had someone come the day before and purchased most all of the items and he was sorry! I can see why they'd do that if they can get the $$$$ BUT wouldn't it have been better to tell the folks to come 1st thing in the morning and make it fair? Maybe I'm out of touch here. I've had plenty of garage sales in my day but generally do it this way...people in my area would state "no early sales"!

[swrinfla]

The three or four "Neighborhood Garage Sales" in which I've participated alerted me to, to me, a totally different/new culture! At the first (advertised 8 am - 12 noon) - there were people on the street as early as 6:30! It was almost as though, "Sorry, I didn't think you'd be here before I'd had my first cup of coffee!

My street has made an effort to establish a street-wide day for any sale we may think about. I'm inclined to think that this makes huge sense! One: it'll reduce the crowds. Two: it'll increase interest ("They must have something worthwhile!") even when what you have to offer is minimal!

That said, I'm not sure that I'll ever participate in a garage sale ever again!
SWR

[chappy]

Thanks for all the advice. We're having the sale on the 17th and hopefully will be successful.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

We had a huge disappointment when "outfitting" our house....a party had advertised HUGE moving sale (and listed the items) with a time of start. Several of us got there early and were all lined up. After awhile...close to the start time the party came out and said that they'd had someone come the day before and purchased most all of the items and he was sorry! I can see why they'd do that if they can get the $$$$ BUT wouldn't it have been better to tell the folks to come 1st thing in the morning and make it fair? Maybe I'm out of touch here. I've had plenty of garage sales in my day but generally do it this way...people in my area would state "no early sales"!

I guess they wanted to sell their "stuff" and they had a chance to see and did.
Fair to who?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by swrinfla

The three or four "Neighborhood Garage Sales" in which I've participated alerted me to, to me, a totally different/new culture! At the first (advertised 8 am - 12 noon) - there were people on the street as early as 6:30! It was almost as though, "Sorry, I didn't think you'd be here before I'd had my first cup of coffee!

My street has made an effort to establish a street-wide day for any sale we may think about. I'm inclined to think that this makes huge sense! One: it'll reduce the crowds. Two: it'll increase interest ("They must have something worthwhile!") even when what you have to offer is minimal!

That said, I'm not sure that I'll ever participate in a garage sale ever again!
SWR

Went to a neighborhood sale today that advertised 25 homes. There were so many cars/carts it was a mess. Having just one street will result in the same congestion.
Garage sales in the summer are much easier to navigate.
I have lived in three different states and have children in others...........there are early birds at every sale.