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Begin with a Successful Garage Sale
Your move to a new home is an ideal time to sort and
throw away. A terrific way to dispose of your discardable items is to
have a garage sale—convert your clutter into cash. Even if you find it
difficult to decide what has to go, just jump that hurdle, bite the
bullet, and let some of your “STUFF” become someone else’s
treasure—for a price, of course.
Sort
Organize the possessions you’re taking with you in
cartons according to their new storage locations—attic, garage,
closet, etc. Using a large marker, write the destination on the outside
of each box.
When you attack an area, you might have 3 boxes—1)
to be moved, 2) trash, and 3) garage sale. Some guidelines to keep
in mind when you are weeding out are:
When you no longer notice a decorative object (such
as a picture), it may be time to get rid of it. Consider how each item
will add to your new home—or distract from it.
Ask, “Have I used this item in the past year?”
If the answer is yes, it is worth keeping for another year. If no, put
it in the garage sale box. If it has sentimental or monetary value to
you, keep it.
Give yourself a simple quiz: Do I really want that? Am
I likely to ever use it again? Am I tired of that? Is it really worth
saving for my kids?
Caution! Do not dispose of someone
else’s things without asking. Suggest and encourage, but don’t
just take over. A great incentive to children is the assurance that
they can keep all money for their “stuff.” This makes the parting
much easier.
Be ruthless with our own
possessions. Operate on the premise “When in doubt, put it out!”
It takes up valuable space, and you’ll just wind up cleaning it and
moving it around. Don’t hang on to clutter.
If you don’t think you have enough
to hold your garage sale, consider inviting a friend or neighbor to
join you.
Advertise
Select your date (Saturday seems to be
sale day in most areas) and check to see that no major holiday or
sporting event will conflict. Run an ad in the local newspaper giving
general location in large letters; (as appropriate) furniture; infant
and kids clothing (clean), housewares, and much, much more; date, time,
and address. It would be best to omit a telephone number. Post notices
at area supermarkets perhaps with a tear-off giving the address to be
used as a reminder.
The day before the sale, hang notices
giving directions from the nearest main streets. It’s a good idea to
select a color to use for all signs. Make the arrows large and
easy to spot. Use a paper which will remain flat in the wind. If rain is
expected, laminate or cover the sign with plastic wrap. Most people find
their way to a garage sale by following signs.
If you have furniture, infants’ and
children’s clothing, or maternity clothing, state that in your
advertisement. Let your neighbors know about the sale and perhaps invite
them to include items—the traffic will seem less of a headache to them
if they have been forewarned and asked to participate.
Organize
Group similar items together—clothes
hanging on racks (not clothes lines which sag, perhaps a dowel suspended
by ropes from the ceiling), books in boxes with spines visible, children’s
items together, miscellaneous items on card tables. The number one sale
enhancer is CLEANLINESS. Crumpled, musty, or dusty items are practically
worthless. Wash clothing and iron those items which are very wrinkled.
Clothing should be marked with size and grouped according to sex and
size. Clean items sell faster and bring a higher price. Strive to
create the impression that an item has been used, but not that much!
Mark the condition—if an appliance
doesn’t work, state this on the tag. Have a heavy duty extension cord
handy for testing before the item leaves your garage. Also a tape
measure may be helpful for your customers.
Make a trip to the bank for small
bills and change. During the sale, keep the cash with you—not in a
cash box on the table. Save bags and boxes for your customers to use.
For security and safety reasons, limit
your sales area to the garage and yard ONLY.
Keep in mind that “one person’s
junk is another person’s treasure.” Everything will sell. You may
have just the item someone else is needing.
Put everything you plan to sell in one
area so that you get a feel for exactly what you do have.
Pricing
Price ALL items with tags or
tape (if others are participating in your sale, use a different color
for each person). After initial interest, the first thing a customer
looks for is the price. When in doubt, price lower. You will probably
make more money if you start with a specific price on each item and be
flexible when your customers start haggling.
As a rule of thumb, clothing in good
condition could be priced at one-tenth of original cost—a dress
purchased for $100, priced at $10 if in good condition. If an item was
purchased at an exclusive store, indicate this on the price tag. Small
appliances and furniture could start at one-fifth of current new selling
price. Paperback books 25¢; hardbacks, 50¢ or $1; reference and
special books can be priced individually and placed in a separate
location. You may have miscellaneous items which can be grouped in boxes
marked 25¢, 50¢, and $1.
Be prepared to bargain; after all, you’re trying to
get rid of everything. Bargaining is a big part of garage sale shopping.
Let the buyer name a price which you can counter.
Reduce prices during the last 2 hours of the
sale and make the price reductions visible.
End of Sale
Donate leftovers from the sale to your favorite
charity. Take down all posters. Celebrate your trimming down of clutter
and your profits!!
Check the library and the World Wide Web for
information about conducting a garage sale. One Web site offers a book, How
to Have Big Money Garage Sales, for purchase. The local library has
a video How to Have a Moneymaking Garage Sale starring Phyllis
Diller which is entertaining as well as informative.
Gather the treasures—convert into cash—have a
happy garage sale!
NOW GET READY TO MOVE
Prior to Your Move . . .
Give away, sell, or discard
unnecessary possessions which may be left from your garage sale.
Advise post office and complete change of address
cards for financial organizations, medical practitioners, credit card
companies, periodicals, etc.
Obtain school records for new school.
Notify insurance agent and transfer or arrange
coverage for new home.
Send out items for cleaning or repair.
Dispose of flammable items.
Arrange to have all utilities shut off at your old
house and connected at your new house. Have meters read. Stop
newspaper delivery.
Arrange telephone cancellation or transfer for the
last possible moment on moving day.
Clean drapes, rugs, and floors.
Defrost and clean refrigerator, clean stove.
Organize work that has to be completed at your new
home.
Obtain appraisals for any items of value in case
you need to make an insurance claim from the moving company. Photos or
videos are great! Ascertain that adequate insurance for all household
goods is in place while goods are in transit or storage. Plan to carry
all jewelry, valuable papers, and currency with you. Even photograph
albums which are irreplaceable could fall in this category.
Storing and Packing. . .
Discontinue services such as cleaning, pool maintenance,
garbage pick up, etc.
Needed—packing paper, pads for inventory, markers, heavy
twine, masking tape, boxes, and containers.
Empty gas tanks from lawn mowers, gas grill, etc.
Remove batteries from appliances and toys.
Mark boxes clearly specifying room for placement.
Set aside items you will carry in the car.
Keep your telephone book with you.
Tie or tape brooms and mops together and bundle your
curtain rods.
Clearly mark all fragile and delicate items.
Carry all jewelry, valuable papers, and currency with you.
Ensure that tops on all liquids in bottles are secured.
Crate glass table tops, large mirrors, and any valuable
pictures.
Pack all books on edge in small boxes.
Limit carton weight to 60 pounds.
Lamp shades should be packed in individual boxes.
Make sure heavy china items are placed at the bottom of the
box with extra padding.
Small items should be placed in a smaller box inside a
large box.
Dismantle large power tools before moving.
Remove fixtures that are fastened to the wall.
Pack clothes and drapes in a wardrobe supplied by the
mover.
Avoid overloading drawers when packing items in dressers.
Do not pack cleaning products in boxes where food
is packed.
Do not use newspapers for packing as the ink may
stain.
Do not leave shelves loose in stove, refrigerator,
microwave, etc.
On Moving Day . . .
Have friends or relatives take care of the children and the
pets.
Check and number all boxes.
Check each carton for loss or damage.
Prepare a list of damaged or lost articles.
Set up bedrooms and kitchen first.
Keep a tool kit handy.
Pointers for arranging your move . . .
Obtain two or three estimates for your move and compare the
services offered.
Have the contents of your home viewed by a qualified
estimator and obtain a written estimate.
Book your move as far in advance as possible even if, in
the case of a new home, your closing date is not firm. Most movers can be
flexible with proper notice.
Avoid scheduling your move for the end of the month as this
is the busy period for movers.
Prior to entering into a contract with a mover, make sure
you determine what liability the mover will assume in the event of loss or
damage. You may find it necessary to make special insurance arrangements.
It is advisable to have your goods packed by the mover.
They are professionals and know how to properly handle and ship your
belongings. Ask the mover for the cost of their packing service.
Confirm arrangements with the mover a day or two before the
move to avoid any last minute difficulties. Make sure the mover has specific
directions for picking up your goods.
Getting through the emotional stress of moving is
difficult enough for adults and children, but what about pets? Pet
owners are often baffled by their pets’ behavior during and after a
move. Sometimes it’s a personality change, a regression in
housebreaking habits, or a sudden unexplained illness. Even if you don’t
notice something that dramatic, there’s no doubt that your faithful
companion is feeling stress. How do you move your pet and keep the
strain to an absolute minimum—both to yourself and your beloved pet?
If you’re planning a cross-country move by air,
call the airlines first—before you make any reservations—and find
out which ones allow pets as “animal passengers.” Approximately
750,000 pets make airline trips every year. Most of the major airlines
will allow animal passengers provided outdoor temperatures are within
a certain range. Pets may be brought on-board with their owners as “carry-on
baggage,” or placed within the cargo section of plane as “checked
baggage,” weather permitting. Airlines also have established
regulations regarding the number of pets permitted per flight, both
on-board and in the cargo section, as well as number of pets permitted
per passenger and size and weight limitations for carry-on and checked
baggage. If at all possible, book a direct flight to avoid the
additional stress of plane changes.
As your moving date approaches, try to maintain
your pet’s routine—feeding, exercise, and play times. As you begin
to pack your belongings, and particularly when the movers arrive, you
may want to consider recruiting a friend to pet-sit to avoid undue
stress for your companion.
Make sure your pet is wearing updated
identification and that you’re carrying some kind of identification
for your pet, including recent photos. If your pet escapes at any time
during your move, you’ll be prepared.
Veterinarians also recommend that you
pack a water supply from the home you’re leaving. Changing water
sources could cause stomach upset and, ultimately, dehydration for your
pet. Keep your pet’s food as bland as possible; this isn’t the
time
to experiment with new brands or varieties. Arrange
for a physical exam for your pet prior to your move, and make sure you
obtain your pet’s updated records from your vet. If your vet can’t
refer you to a new health-care provider in your new hometown, call the
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) at 1–800–883–6301 for
a list of local veterinarians in your new hometown.
Another tip: Several weeks before your move, find out
what the
regulations are in your new home state regarding the importation of
animals. These laws often vary from state to state and even among
counties.
Moving your home can be a very stressful experience
to say the least! Irreplaceable family pictures—one of a kind china
sets—business records—items you care about and do not want lost or
damaged. Pick a moving company that you can trust.
Take CAUTION . . .
A mover whose estimate is far below that of your
other estimates may spell, T-R-O-U-B-L-E.
Damage to goods you pack are your responsibility
not the mover’s, unless the mover has been negligent in the care of
the boxes.
Don’t sign documentation without fully
understanding what you are signing.
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