Garage Sale Safety Tips

Its getting close to the Annual Richmond Village Garage Sale Day on May 7th 2011! Besides getting all your junky-to-funky items ready, take a minute to read the Safety Tips provided here so that your day is a wonderful success.

Setting Up your Garage Sale

ØKeep all like items together as much as possible. Clothing in one area, Childrens toys in another, household items in yet another area will help you keep a mental picture of your inventory as your sale progresses.

ØPlace expensive items close to you where you can keep an eye on it. Often this is where you have our cash table set up.

ØRemove items from their boxes and display them. It makes your sale look more interesting, but more importantly, you can keep an eye on it. Unscrupulous garage-salers have been known to pocket and item leaving the empty box on the table.

ØThe cords on electrical appliances and power tools can present a trip hazzard if left loose. Fold up cords and use an elastic or piece of painters tape to attach the cord to the unit. Have and extension cord or batteries on hand to let the buyer check to see that it works.

ØHave old newspaper and plastic bags handy to wrap up and bag breakable objects.

Keeping track of your inventory

ØPictures can be a great inventory and security method. For inventory purposes, take pictures of your items and print off a contact sheet. Once you or your helpers sells something, you can “X” it off the contact sheet. Some folks write the amount of money they got for the item on the photo. It may help with calculation at the end of the day. For security purposes, you’ll have a photo record if a shopper claims they bought the item elsewhere. You may have to call police if its valuable.

ØHave two people working the Garage Sale at all times. One can manage the cash while another schmoozes the buyers. It also provides for bathroom breaks etc.

ØAcknowledge all shoppers. Greeting someone lets them know that you have seen them and are ready to answer questions. Not ideal conditions to abscond with a goodie or two.

ØWatch out for distractions. Sometimes thieves work in pairs. One distracts while the other pockets your kids game console.

ØLock the doors to your home. DO NOT under any circumstances let anyone in your home - FOR ANY REASON! They could be checking to see what kind of security you have and where your valuables are located for a “Garage Sale” of their own!

ØMake sure your Garage Sale doesn’t look deserted between shoppers. Sit out prominently in your yard. A comfy lawn chair, a pitcher of ice tea and a newspaper or good book makes the wait for the next buyer a relaxing experience.

ØDon’t give out your phone number. If someone wants to check later in the day to see if an item is still available, get their number instead.

ØHave your cell phone handy to call for help. It wouldn’t be the first time a 911 Police or Medical emergency occured at a Garage Sale.

Handling Cash

ØIt’s a good idea to have one designated cashier. That way, a buyer can’t claim that they paid another person.

ØYour starting float should have enough small bills to last the first hour. Once you start selling things, there will be more than enough to make change with.

I suggest $75.00 to start.4 x $5.00 = $20.00
15 x $2.00 = $30.00
15 x $1.00 = $15.00
1 Roll of Quarters = $10.00
Total = $75.00

Add a few dimes and nickles if you have priced items that low, but generally it is better to keep things priced so that you can add it up easily. 4 quarters to a buck…

ØIf you decide to use a cash box, make sure it is locked, secured to the table, and monitored at all times. Another option is to use a fanny pack.

ØAs you start to take in money, put your proffit inside your home every half hour or so, reducing your float to about $50.00. Better not to advertise how “well” you are doing in your sale.

ØWhen a person is making a purchase, leave the bill out in plain view while you make change. Put it under a paper weight, or keep it between your pinky and ring finger so that it is visible.

ØWhen you count back change, count up, and count out loud. Eg. the total of the sale is $6.50 and the buyer gives you a $20. Count 6.50 + .50 is 7 + 3 more is 10 + 10 is 20.

ØRemember to subtract the original float before adding up your proffit.