Thinking About a Garage Sale?
Like a car wash or lemonade stand, the garage sale has long been a fixture of the American entrepreneurial spirit. Whether the goal is to make money or get rid of old stuff, it may be time to reconsider this tired practice.
Time is Money
First, consider that you’re signing on for a nearly full-time job for the duration of your sale. Bargain hunters are generally early risers. No matter what you put in your advertisements, “early-birds” will show up before you’re ready for them. You’ll be wearing many hats at once–in charge of set-up, supervision, cash handling, pricing, customer service, loss prevention, and cleaning up what doesn’t sell.
Not to mention the preparation! Signage, print and electronic advertising, maintaining an adequate supply of change, recruiting help… It’s possible to end up with even less money after you set up shop than before.
Even if you’re willing to put in all the work, there are so many factors beyond your control. A rainy day or even an unpleasant wind could make your neighbors reconsider. You may end up choosing a weekend too far from payday or be competing with some television event that’s had a much larger advertising budget than you do. Unless you live in a medium-trafficked area and choose a nice weekend when other people in town are having sales, you’re bound to have a limited amount of customers. The fewer people that see your goods for sale, the less chance you’ll get what it’s worth.
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
This old adage translates very well to the digital age. Considering the options available, it’s no wonder that eBay consignment stores have caught on. At a garage sale, customers can haggle prices down to pennies on the dollar. At an online auction, buyers compete to pay as much as possible for your goods. This can make up for commission, still typically lower than traditional consignment stores.
It’s quite possible that no one in Carrollton on the weekend of your choice has room in their hearts (or living rooms) for your lime green, faux-leather couch; nevertheless, a Hollywood props department may consider it the perfect addition to the set and be willing to pay top dollar at an online auction. Fads long outgrown by your children may be making a comeback somewhere in the world. You may not even know what your disregarded possessions are worth.
Leave it to the Professionals
To be sure, there is a learning curve to starting and streamlining an online presence to actually make money. It may be worth it to consider an eBay store, like Easysale.net. There are five locations in the Dallas / Fort Worth area-Addison, Arlington, Dallas, Plano, or Southlake. The thorough service is worth the commission. You benefit from professional appraisal, photography, publicity, service, and shipping. Success at an online marketplace is often determined by one’s reputation, or seller rating. By choosing a brick-and-mortar store with an online presence such as Easysale, you piggyback upon their reliability and trustworthiness in order for worldwide exposure.
Sure beats taping cardboard to telephone poles at intersections!
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