Tips For A Successful Garage Sale - Part 2

Next, it's time to determine what days to hold your sale.  The most popular days are Thursday through Saturday.  That's what I would suggest as well. 

You can expect that the first few shoppers who arrive at your sale may seem to walk in and then leave without buying anything.  Why?  Thursday mornings from 8:00 to 10:00 are times that collectors and professional dealers go out and buy.  These shoppers are often looking for one very specific item.  They walk in your garage do a fast scan and then leave.  Don't be discouraged.  Your sales should begin to pick up at 10:00 am or noon when the average garage sale shoppers wake up and start to drive. 

The average shoppers start to arrive at 10:00 am, but I always open at 8:00 am for those people driving to work who might see the signs and decide to stop for a couple of minutes. 
 
Another thing you can do to boost your sales is to invite your neighbors and friends to your garage the night before your sale opens...even if you are still pricing and working in your garage.  Just tell them to come on over and shop! 

Now that you determined the days of your sale, the next thing is advertising your sale.

I am probably unique in this suggestion, but it works for me.  I have never once placed an ad.  I use signs...a lot of very well placed and daily monitored signs.  If you don't have the luxury of living on a main thoroughfare, you begin by placing signs directing them off the main thoroughfare to your sale.  Your signs don't have to be elaborate.  Just a simple "Garage Sale" with an arrow pointing them the way.  Keep your signs the same color...if you start with a yellow sign, keep using yellow signs throughout the route to your sale.

In contrast, most people tend to place an ad in the local newspaper.  Use your local shopper.  It's delivered to every household in the area every week.  I happen to live in Anoka, so my local shopper is the Anoka County Shopper. 

These are the two most popular advertising options for garage sales.  You can use one, the other, or a combination of the two.  There is no right or wrong option, simply go with the option that you feel most comfortable with.


Antiques With Attitude,
Deb Chesley
Antique Dealer/Collector

 


Do you have a question pertaining to antiques or collectibles that you would like to ask Ms. Chesley?  You can email Deb your questions directly.  She would be happy to answer your questions!  Be sure to bookmark this page for future articles and information.
 

                             View the archive of Ms. Chesley's past articles here.
 

Deb was born and raised in Anoka County.  At age 45, she currently resides in the town of Anoka.  She has been an antique dealer since 1995.  Deb learned to love garage sales and antiques at a very young age.  Her personal collections include Vintage Jewelry, Tobacco Tins, Red Wing Pottery, Vintage Furs, Mixing Bowls/Nesting Bowls, "Sharon" Pattern Depression Glass, Granite Ware, and much more.  Deb loves music from 1930 to 1965 which includes artists such as Shirley Horn, Dinah Washington, The Righteous Brothers, and Patsy Cline.   Her other passions include home-style cooking, crossword puzzles, and online word games. This photo was taken at "Antiques Downtown" in Elk River.  763-441-1818.

Collector's Billboard:
 
Every Monday Night: Auctions presented by Luther Auction House, 2556 7th Avenue East in Maplewood.  For more information, call 651-770-6175 or Click Here For Details

Every Wednesday through Sunday Pac Ratz Flea Market Indoor/Outdoor flea market featuring over 40 vendors, there's something for everyone!  Located at Hwy 65 & Constance Blvd, in Ham Lake.  For more information, call 763-413-1400 or Click Here For Details

Every Friday Night:  Auctions presented by Shakopee Auction Center, 214 Holmes Street in Shakopee at 6:15 pm.  Antiques, Collectibles, Estate Items, Personal Property.  For more information, call 952-890-7287 or Click Here For Details

Last Saturday of the Month:  Antique and Collector Auction presented by Brown Auction 13229 St. Croix Avenue in Lindstrom.  Estates and consignments welcome!  For more information, call 612-598-9031 or Click Here For Details

August 5 - 8, 2010:  Vert Occasional Sale find items for your home and garden.  Hours:  9:00 am to 6:00 pm Thursday through Saturday, noon to 4:00 pm on Sunday.  Located at 44 West 1st Street in Waconia.  For more information, call 952-442-1310.

August 7 - 8, 2010:  19th Annual Cambridge Antique Fair at the Isanti County Fairgrounds in Cambridge.  Featuring a huge selection of antique furniture, household items, jewelry, toys, and more from over 300 dealers!  Hours:  Saturday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Isanti County Fairgrounds are one mile east of Hwy 65 on Hwy 95 in Cambridge.  Click Here For Details 

August 11 - 15, 2010:  Flamingos Divine Finds Antiques, collectibles, furniture, vintage finds, and more!  Hours:  10:00 am to 6:00 pm.  Located at 3404 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis.  For more information, call 612-767-4548.

August 11 - 15, 2010:  Picket Fence Gals Antiques, vintage finds, and more for your home and garden decor.  Hours:  Wednesday 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Thursday through Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.  13075 Lake Blvd, Lindstrom.  For more information, call 651-257-3370.

August 12 - 14, 2010:  Barb's Country Collectibles, Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, 12634 Ulm Avenue, Hutchinson.  For more information, call 320-583-5896.

August 12 - 14, 2010:  Uniquely Yours Hours:  10:00 am to 5:00 pm.  1030 South Grade Road, Hutchinson.  For more information, call 320-293-8531.

August 12 - 15, 2010:  The Wren's Nest Occasional Sale  Hours:  Thursday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Sunday noon to 5:00 pm.  118 East Main Street, Anoka.  For more information, call 763-421-1795.

August 12 - 15, 2010:  Antique Alley Country chic, antiques, and gift items.  Hours:  10:00 am to 6:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sunday noon to 4:00 pm.  218 Central Avenue, Osseo.  For more information, call 763-420-3220.

August 12 - 15, 2010:  Marilyn's Antiques and more.  Hours:  Thursday through Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sunday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.  13153 180th Street, Hutchinson.  For more information, call 320-223-4269.

August 20 - 22, 2010:  40th Annual Nowthen Threshing Show featuring special attractions such as antique cars & trucks, general store, huge flea market, and more!  See life as it was!  Lots of fun, food, entertainment, and more for the whole family!  7415 Old Viking Blvd, Nowthen.  Click Here For Details

August 20 - 22, 2010:  Gold Rush Days Premier Antique Show 2010 in downtown Oronoco.  This is Minnesota's greatest antique show and flea market around!  Hours:  Friday from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm, Saturday from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Sunday from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.  For more information, call 507-367-2111 or Click Here For Details 
 

We Want To Know About It!
 
To have your garage sale, estate sale, craft sale, church bazaar,
 flea market, etc. posted on Collector's Billboard, please email us
the details.  Please include date, location, time, type of sale,
and short description!