Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when hosting your next garage sale.

Hosting Tips:

• Check the weather forecast.
• Consider holding a garage sale jointly with one or a few neighbors. Bigger sales will net a bigger turnout.
• Garage sales will only be as good as your signs. They are important because people are trying to attend as many sales as they can. If it is hard to read or see you will be passed by.
• Post garage sale signs at strategic locations in your neighborhood.
• Remove your signs when the sale is over. **Very important**
• Pre-clean your merchandise.
• Setup your sale like a showroom.
• Big items in the driveway are going to draw people in.
• Have electronics in the back of the sale and have them up and running so buyers know they work.
• Try to place all items at hand reachable levels, at table height.
• Display all similar items together. For example, place all kitchenware together.
• Have a box of toys around so children can play while parents shop.
• Have everything priced. If you wish you can post a sign stating that prices are negotiable, but marking prices gives potential buyers a starting point.
• Never ever put masking tape on wood furniture. When masking tape comes off the wood the glue will not always.
• Have clothes arranged by gender and size.
• Wear your money on you.
• If it is hot have soda or water for sale. In the morning have coffee and donuts.
• Consider providing a box marked "FREE" for items you'd like to give away. It's an easy way to lighten up your garage sale atmosphere and often enhance sales.

Here are a few tips so you can have the best garage sale shopping experience possible.

Shopping Tips:

• Put together your wants and needs list.
• Plot out your course by geographic locations.
• Keep an extension cord in the car to test electronics, appliances, etc.
• Carry a magnifying glass.
• Carry a tape measure.
• Wear your money on you instead of bringing a purse.
• Go with smaller bills and change to make it easy.
• Have a list with measurements of items needed or spaces in home.
• If you don't have a tape measure, keep in mind that a $1 bill is six inches long.
• If you agree to buy an item and you have to leave and come back, take a drawer or cushion from the item with you and leave a deposit so someone cannot buy the item from under you.