Some ideas on how to conduct your sale.

• Early birds. Many people get someone who wants to 'shop' their sale before it officially opens. How do you handle them? That's up to you. You can turn them away and not deal with the hassle. You can invite them in but upcharge anything they buy 10% to 50%. Or, just be happy that you are selling some of your stuff that is cluttering up your house.

• Greeting your customers. If you don't engage your customers you risk the window shopping experience, all looking and no buying. Nobody likes a pushy sales person, yet you still want to greet a visitor so they feel comfortable enough to look through and ask questions about the items you are selling. Buy greeting them, you are announcing that they are welcome on your property, that you are a go-to person for questions and it also gives you the opportunity to point out any great buys you might be offering.

• Sales transactions. A few things to keep in mind:
  • Have bags and maybe some boxes handy to help buyers carry their purchases to their cars. Also, keep some newspaper ready to wrap up glass or fragile items.
  • Plan on handing out sale receipts to help you keep track of your sales and to state your legal responsibility. Your receipt should clearly indicate that all items are sold "As Is" and that "All Sales Are Final."
  • If you have the capability, offer to deliver larger items for a small fee. This can help you capture a sale and also increase your revenue.
  • Placing items on hold. How long do you hold an item for someone while they get approval or money for the purchase? That's up to you to decide. It will probably depend on the value of the item, when the request is made and if you can get a reasonable deposit or not. But, set a definite time that the transaction has to be completed by. The earlier this happens in your sale, the more important it is to set a time. If the potential customer doesn't make it back in time, put the item back in the sale. Trade phone numbers with the buyers to make communication as easy as possible.

• Adjust pricing as necessary. The ultimate goal of your sale is to get rid of your stuff and hopefully make a little money doing so. It is not to get rich. If you are a third of the way into your sale and nothing is selling despite interested buyers, start dropping your prices. The easy way to do it is to post signs stating "everything is 10% off the marked price." If someone is looking at something, that means they are interested in it and will buy it if the price is right. They are looking for a bargain. Give them their bargain and get the item out of your house.

If someone offers less for an item than what you are willing to accept, make sure you get their contact information. If that item still has not sold by the end of the sale, you might find their offer a lot more appealing than you originally did.

• Ways to increase sale revenue. How else can you generate money at your sale? Here are a few ideas:
  • As mentioned before, consider offering a delivery service for larger items for a reasonable fee. If you don't have a suitable vehicle, do you have a friend who does?
  • Have the kids setup a lemon aid stand or a bake sale.
  • If you are a creative type, consider selling handmade crafts.
  • Don't be afraid to promote any small businesses that you operate. Selling firewood, cleaning or baking services, home maintenance and repair, pet sitting, etc. A garage sale could be an excellent way for meeting new customers for any type of small business.

• Safety concerns. You want your sale to be safe for you and your customers.
  • Keep pets out of your sale area. Many people do not like pets, are intimidated by them and some are very allergic to different types of animals. Pets are also likely to be tripped over or stepped on.
  • Do not hold your sale or allow customers inside your home. You have too much going on with your sale to have to worry about keeping track of someone inside your house.
  • Make sure all electrical cords are staked down or covered by mats so they are not a tripping hazard.
  • As a seller, you are legally responsible for all items sold. If you are selling an item that has obvious safety requirements, such as a lawn mower, make sure that all safety features are working correctly. If they don't, either get it fixed or don't sell it. If you have an item with a minor problem, like a slightly frayed cord on a lamp, note the problem and that the buyer is responsible for fixing it on the receipt.
  • Make sure buyers don't hurt themselves when loading large, heavy items into their vehicles.
  • Keep sharp items, like knives, and potentially dangerous items, like power tools, under close scrutiny. Power tools should not be plugged in, nor have battery packs installed, unless for a demonstration. If demonstrating a power tool, make sure to have proper safety equipment for you and your buyer.
  • If you are having a very successful sale, consider removing extra cash from your register every hour or so.
  • Always make sure your register is staffed or that the money can be securely locked up if left unattended.
  • Watch for theft. This can be outright stealing items in your sale or from your property, or by switching pricing stickers. It can and sometimes does happen.

• After sale cleanup. After your sale is over it's time for the cleanup.
  • Return tables, chairs or other things borrowed to help with your sale.
  • Remove any signs posted to promote your sale.
  • Sort through your left over sale items. If you think they have value, consider donating them to charity. Click [here] for more information on local charities. If you think there is little value, it probably means the recycle and/or trash bin. Remember, the last thing you want is to put this stuff back in your house.
  • Count your money!