Garage Sales

Bo Pelech asked:


Canadian online classifieds site Tradepoint.ca launches with virtual-garage sale functionality and advanced search-by-area capability.



Cars, furniture, real estate and jobs are just the start. Canadian classifieds site Tradepoint.ca has lots to offer, especially if you’re trying to track down one-of-a-kind items for sale within your own neighborhood.



Tradepoint.ca, a forum dedicated to connecting buyers and sellers, is a refreshing way to buy and sell items without the hassle and cost of traditional newspaper classified ads. The original site for the Toronto area has now branched out to serve the entire country and an American sister-site is currently being developed. Curious to know what your neighbor at the end of the block has up for grabs? Finding items for sale within your immediate residential area is fast and easy due to the extremely functional seek-and-sort capability and an advanced internal search engine. So how is Tradepoint.ca different from other online classified sites like those of major newspapers, or of online auction sites like eBay? It’s what Tradepoint.ca doesn’t do.



Absent is the typical graphic clutter that slows typical sites. There are no fancy presentations, no flashy ecommerce and no elaborate pricing structures for postings. It’s all business. Click on a link, and you get a straightforward product description, photos and contact details. Using Tradepoint.ca is absolutely free, which makes it a more attractive classified alternative than its profit-seeking, publicly traded peers and traditional print classifieds. It’s completely free for someone to post an item for sale, place a want ad, or reply to a listing. As a community-classifieds site, Tradepoint.ca clicks. It’s an easy-to-use, must-read for Canadian buyers and sellers, and provides an essential service for its consumers.



About Tradepoint.ca

Tradepoint.ca is an online classifieds and web trading platform to connect buyers and sellers. We provide tools and listings services for buying and selling products and services across Canada.

http://www.Tradepoint.ca



CLEMENT

Vikram kuamr asked:


While your child is still in his or her infant years, she will need a constant change of wardrobe. At this age, the growth spurt of babies is fast and they will tend to outgrow their clothes quickly. It is also at this age that other family members, friends, and relatives stop giving baby gifts. This means that you will have to buy toddler clothes on your own. You cannot depend on other people anymore to provide your baby with garments. When shopping for baby clothes, there are several things that you have to consider. This will help you save up on expenses and find outfits that are comfortable and safe for your infant or toddler.

 

There are several styles and designs of children’s clothing that are available in the market. This is the reason why you have to choose carefully, in order for you to find clothes that are suitable for your kid. The first essential factor that you have to consider, when browsing through clothing, is the safety of your baby. When it comes to baby-friendly clothing, there are many considerations that you have to remember. One of these is the fabric of the toddler clothes. Make sure that the texture is not rough on your baby’s skin. What is more, it should allow your kid to breathe easily and not sweat much. The most recommended fabric or clothing material for babies is cotton, which is very soft and comfortable.

 

Another safety aspect regarding children’s clothing is the lack of buttons, cords, and other clothing parts that lead to choking hazards. In nature, babies do not know what they are doing. They are not aware that if they put something inside their mouth that they cannot chew, they will choke. There is a likely that if you buy baby clothing that has buttons, your kid will keep on pulling it and stick it inside his or her mouth. On the other hand, there is a possibility that your infant will end up winding the cord around his or her neck accidentally. This is also another type of choking hazard for your kid.

 

Toddler clothes should not have elastic bands or tight waistlines, since these will lead to skin problems. The most common are skin rashes or skin irritation. This is because of the band that imprints on the skin of your toddler or infant. It is for a fact that the skin of children is soft and very sensitive. This means that they are prone to rashes and irritation each time something rough or tight comes into contact with their skin. On the other hand, you should buy children’s clothing that does not have tight necklines. Opt for clothes that have low-cut neckline since these allow easy breathing for your infant.

 

Another shopping tip that you have to remember is to look for toddler clothes that are not that expensive. Since you will be constantly buying garments for growing baby, you need to opt for cheaper clothes. This way, baby clothing will not take a huge chunk out of your income. There are plenty of places, where you can shop for affordable children’s clothing. If you are not particular with letting your baby wear hand-me-downs, you can go to rummage sales or garage sales. Or else, you can check out thrift shops, where you can buy quality clothing for low prices. However, your best option is to visit online retailers of babies’ clothing and other baby stuffs.

 



RAFAEL

Rhett Kennedy asked:


10 Items to take when you go garage sale shopping

I have put together a list of 10 items that I suggest you take along with you on your garage sale treasure hunts. I have found these items to be very useful.

Cell Phone – A cell phone comes in very handy when you find an unfamiliar item you think might sell for a nice profit on eBay. With the cell phone, you can call or text a family member or friend who can check the item online. I suggest checking eBay and maybe also Amazon. Be sure to check “completed” sales on eBay. Texting on the cell phone might be a better option if you are worried you might stand out to the seller. It’s not a good idea for the seller to know you are checking online pricing so you might want to return to the car and make the call if you like. If your cell has a camera, you can also take a picture of the item to help your family or friend identify the item.

Batteries – If you run across an item that needs batteries, it is a good idea to test it first. Don’t trust the batteries that may come with the item.

Extension cord – Same idea as the batteries. It’s a good idea to plug in electric devices to see if they work.

Magnifying glass and/or jeweler’s loop – Always handy. My eyesight isn’t as good as it used to be. A magnifying glass will give you a better look at an item. A jeweler’s loop is great for checking maker’s marks on items. I have found a small 10k mark on a $1 ring that I would have missed if I didn’t have the loop.

Resource books – When I am at home, I do most of my research online. But when you are out garage sale hunting, you might want a few resource books. A coin book  and a stamp book are always a good choice. You can add a few more resource books if you like. I would also suggest taking along the list I have put together and provided on the blog of 100 items that sell on eBay.

Note book – A blank notebook can be used to record items and item price for later reference. It’s a good idea to keep track of how much you paid for an item so you can later determine how much profit you made when you sell it. You might also want to us a pocket calendar to record your mileage. Mileage is tax deductable if you are filing taxes on the online profit and expenses of your garage sale finds.

GPS – When your travels include multiple stops, a portable GPS is great to have. I would keep close to home because I would easily become lost when driving in unfamiliar neighborhoods. All the turns and stops caused me to become lost and I would waste a lot of time trying to find where I was. I am sure I missed a lot of sales. Now I use the portable GPS. The GPS not only helps me get home but lets me wonder around in unfamiliar areas without worrying about becoming lost. I can also program multiple addresses and the GPS will plan the best route. I suggest you do some research on available GPS features and chose one that fits your needs.

Screw driver and pliers – Tools are useful to take things apart so they fit in your car or truck. You can add as many as you like, but I would suggest a ***** driver and pliers as a minimum.

Boxes – I suggest a couple sizes. You can collapse them so they are flat and take up less room. You might also want to use one or 2 of the plastic storage boxes like Wal-Mart sells if you have the room. Be sure to take tape to seal the box tops.

Rope and/or bungee cords – Handy for tying things down or tying things together.

 

I have found these items to be very useful when going garage sale shopping.



JACKSON

Victor Tunggal Irawan asked:


Over the years, the house has been filled with all sorts of junk. Some of these items could date back from childhood or could be memorabilia from college. There are people who just throw these things in the trash or some might organize a garage sale to make some money from their things.

A garage sale takes some amount of planning and presentation. By scheduling a month in advance, there will surely be many people who will drop by and buy.

You should start by selecting the date for the event. This should fall on a non-holiday weekend so that many people will be in town for the sale. The homeowners should also check the season when this will be held since rainy weather could spoil everything.

Once these have been factored out, it is time to advertise for the garage sale. Neighbors in the area can be called by phone to be informed when this will happen. These people will surely appreciate it since this is more personal than having it come from someone else.

Some money can be saved if the ad is printed off the computer. The ad should have the date, time and address. Putting the contact number would also be a good idea for those who have questions.

These ads can be posted on the church bulletin board, on lights posts, restaurants and other establishments that are willing to help.

If there are free newsletters given out in the neighborhood, you can also place an ad in one of the columns. This is an inexpensive of way of reaching a larger group of people than having to pay a certain amount in the daily newspaper.

The garage sale can also be advertised on the internet by emailing it to friends and having these people forward the message to others who may be interested.

The kids at home can also help out announce the sale by distributing flyers in the grocery or in gas stations so that customers who pass by are aware.

A large and colorful sign should be placed on the front lawn. This will make customers know where it is and attract people to stop and look at the items available.

Garage sales are a great way to make money from selling junk. They can be useful for the new owner as long the customers are informed in advance through ads.



PETER

Victor Tunggal Irawan asked:


The success of a garage sale relies on various factors, e.g., posting an advertisement about the garage sale even weeks before the day, displaying and categorizing the clothing articles and other garage sale items in such a way that the visitors (read: buyers) will be buying them, and the overall organization skills of the host.

How about considering some little things that may not only boost your sales but also make the garage sale more tolerable or even enjoyable?

Wearing the appropriate garage sale gear can help. No really!

Here are some tips on how to get dressed for the kill, err, the sale:

Think comfy.

Even if you have friends to help you during the sale, don’t overlook wearing what will make you feel most comfortable. Depending on the weather you need to wear the right clothes. You will surely break a sweat with all that moving around and sales talk.

Think fun.

How about drawing more attention to your garage sale by wearing fun Hawaiian t-shirts? No, you don’t have to wear a costume that would humiliate you. Just anything that would set a more festive mood will make your garage sale worth the time of other busy on-lookers. Funny hats, bandannas, and some flashy, nostalgic clothing can strike a conversation, too. Exerting a little more effort in making your garage sale visitors have fun through your clothes will surely make your sale one of the most memorable ones.

Think of distinguishing yourself as the host.

It would be excellent if your garage sale earned the attention of many people in your neighborhood. But what if the people have crowded in too much that they don’t know who to ask about whatever item they have taken an interest in? Wear something that will make you stand out as the garage sale’s host. Try wearing a shirt that says, “Garage Sale Guy” or for a bit more fun “You Get a Kiss for a Purchase of More Than $10.” That would be hard not to noticed, wouldn’t it?

Think money-savvy.

It wouldn’t be fun anymore if you lose the proceeds from your garage sale. So better wear something that will secure the money. An apron-like with pockets that can be zipped can help keep your dollar bills in place. Also, it would be very helpful to separate the loose change or coins from the dollar bills if you want to make the garage sale go smoothly.

Now don’t forget to smell your best, too.



GILBERT

Sandra Hughes asked:


God’s way of financing His kingdom on the earth is through tithing - the giving of the first tenth of your increase and income. This ten percent is to be given to the Storehouse - the place where you are fed spiritually.

By giving your tithe, you are allowing your pastor, his staff, and the church to run effectively. God never intended His kingdom to be financed by bake sales, rummage sales, and the like. He has set a principle in motion that not only assures us financial protection and blessing but also that there will be meat in the house of God.

You can participate in a miracle! The giving of your tithe allows the miracle of increase and favor to come upon you. After tithing, the remaining 90 percent goes farther and produces more than anything you could have done with the initial 100 percent of your income.

Only God know all the trouble and damage He’s kept away from you because you trust Him with your tithe.

By tithing, you allow your spiritual leaders to focus on ministry instead of raising money and stressing over bills. Ministers are free to minister, pray, study and seek God for the direction on the Church body or ministry.

If a pastor has been working a secular job all week, raising a family, running a church (because there is no money for staff) and trying to pastor - it is likely that by Sunday there won’t be a whole lot of meat in the house for you.

This means that the church’s vision could veer or wane; the word in due season that should have been preached may not come; or miracle you needed may not be yielded to because of weariness by the pastor.

A Healthy Church

Your tithe allows you to get the most out of your pastor - and that keeps your church healthy. You will be blessed, your church will be blessed and your church will be free to reach out to a lost and hurting world all because you (and your tithe) allow them to be doing the work of the Church.

In Genesis 14, we see Abram just back from a victorious campaign.

Gen 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,

Bread and wine was a customary refreshment of that day but let’s look at it in light of our New Testament covenant. Melchizedek, a representation of Jesus, brings out the elements of communion - representing our covenant with God. In that covenant, all He has is ours - and all we have is His.

Gen 14:19-20 and he blessed Abram saying, Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand. Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

When we bless God, we acknowledge that God is the source of all-good. The word blessing is derived from spring, meaning that God is like a never-ending spring, that provides a constant flow of blessings to His creatures.

By tithing, Abram sets up a trust fund. He is saying, God, I trust You. I honor You as my source so I am giving the first ten percent to You.

Gen 14:21-24 The king of Sodom said to Abram, Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself. But Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, I made Abram rich. I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me–to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share.

Are We Trusting God?

Abram turned away from the world’s system of success and was not willing that any man get God’s deserved glory. Are we willing to turn away from a little slight of integrity here and the Big Deal (even if it is a little shady) there in order to trust God?

Today, it may look more appetizing to not uphold integrity in finances because of the economy but if you will stay true to God and His system - you will win. And if you look at the news, you will see that the hidden things are being revealed anyway.

Many have the ability to amass great wealth from the world’s ways but it has no guarantee. We are God’s covenanted people. We are to show forth His praises and glory in the earth. We want people to look at us and say, I can see that no man has made you rich but that the blessings and favor of God is upon you. Please, introduce me to your God.

Gen 15:1 After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.

Abram’s hand was open to God; therefore his heart was open to hear the word of the Lord. Because Abram tithed - put his money in God’s trust fund - God had an awesome promise for Him - do not be afraid.

By not accepting the men and goods that Abram rightly could have had, he was not allowing himself to grow in power thus leaving him vulnerable to another attack by other kings. God reassures him that because he chose to live by the principle of tithing that he would not have to fear.

Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. This promise lines up exactly with Malachi 3:

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

(Mal 3:10-12)

God’s benefits to the one that tithes:

* Healthy Church: there may be meat in mine house.

* Blessed to be a blessing: I will…open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing.

* Healthy finances: I will rebuke the devourer

* Show forth God’s goodness: all nations shall call you blessed.

No matter what happens in this economy, you can have a place in God where you do not have to fear and are protected from the devourer!

Make a commitment to a lifestyle of tithing then God can open the windows of heaven for a healthy church and healthy finances.



MARSHALL

Terry Edwards asked:


So, you’ve been going through your basement or garage and can’t believe how much stuff you have just sitting around. That can mean only one thing’s it’s time for a garage sale!

Today, garage and yard sales are more popular than ever, but the secret to your success will be in garage sale pricing.

How many times have you been to a garage sale and just shook your head at some of the ridiculous prices you’ve seen for some items? Too many I’m sure! Pricing is why you can find several different yard sales going on in the same neighborhood, but one house may not sell much of anything, while another can’t keep up with the cash drawer.

How to set garage sale pricing.

1. What is your purpose in having the garage sale?

If you simply want to clear out the basement or get rid of old clothes you no longer wear, then price the items accordingly.

Sell the clothes for $.50 or $1.00 if they are in good shape. Toys can go for $.50 and if a family is buying several items, throw in a couple for free.

2. Garage sale pricing for valuables

When selling big ticket items you’ll need to consider if the value is a personal judgment or whether it is monetary. In other words, take your personal connection to the item out of your pricing strategy.

3. Visit other garage sales

If you are stuck on what you think prices should be, visit some other sales and observe their prices and whether things are selling or not. You can learn a lot from just watching what is going on around you.

4. Put it on eBay

You may have some items which would be better to list online at eBay than it would be to put them in a yard sale. Higher ticket items that are over $250 - $500 are a good example.

Most people are buying from a garage sale to find useful items at cheap prices. They usually don’t spend over $100, although there are certainly exceptions.

5. Negotiate

This is an important tip. Leave your items that are a little more costly some room for negotiation.

Many folks love to haggle and bargain down the price. It makes them feel great and they buy every time. Use this to your advantage by leaving some extra room in the price. So, you have a $20 price and someone offers $14. They don’t know it, but $15 is what you really wanted anyway. It’s a win-win situation.

Take your time and carefully consider your garage sale pricing strategy. It will make all the difference in having a successful sale.



MONTY

Victor Tunggal Irawan asked:


While many of us know what garage sales are and that they essentially involve a lot of planning and marketing strategies, few realize that garage sales, just like any event, are required to obtain permits from respective authorities before they can successfully push through.

Location of Your Garage Sale

Where you’re planning to hold your garage sale will determine from which regulating bodies you should obtain permits. Village residents must naturally obtain permits from the homeowners’ association or its equivalent; city dwelling residents on the other hand may be required to obtain permits from the local or state government. There may be other requirements but this depends on the town, city and state you’re living in.

Following Rules and Regulations

The only way you’ll be given a garage sale permit is when you solemnly swear to adhere to all their rules and regulations. These include but are not limited to the following:

Advertisement – Most regulating bodies are very particular when it comes to the mere size of your ads and where you’re planning to display them. Be sure that you ask about this when you apply for a garage sale permit.

Duration – Generally, you’re only permitted to hold a garage sale for a maximum of three days. You should know beforehand the respective dates on which you plan to hold your garage sale. There are also rules that specify from and till what time your garage sale can operate. These rules have been formulated to protect the privacy and rights of your neighbors. Garage sales can be especially noisy and chaotic, characteristics that aren’t commonly welcomed by any neighbor.

Products – It’s very rare that garage sale owners are allowed to sell brand new items. Make a list of all the products you’re selling as well as their conditions and origins as you may be required to submit it to the necessary authorities.

Other General Tips

For convenience’s sake, some cities and states allow garage sale owners to download application forms for permits online. It’s ideal to apply for a permit at least one month in advance.

Be sure to bring valid proof of your identification when applying for a garage sale permit.

Talk to your neighbors and inform them about your plans. They may have several conditions to put forth. It’s best to take care of these worries in advance to ensure that your neighbors will have no reason to complain later on and cause the authorities to revoke your license.

For any other questions you may have, don’t hesitate to contact your local authorities.



SAMMIE

Christine Groth asked:


Opening a daycare in your home has so many benefits to it; the list goes on and on. One of the greatest benefits that excites so many ladies is the fact that you can make money and stay home and raise your children.

This was initially why I started my daycare.

I was a new mom of twins and I had an absolute desire to stay home and care for my daughters. So it all worked out perfectly, I made money, took care of my family and had a really great time teaching and caring for other people’s children.

Many of you have asked me advice on if starting a daycare is expensive. This could be farther from the truth. To be honest with you most of the items I use in my daycare I had already owned. Just think about it for a minute, many of you are already mom’s and have toy’s laying around the house.

And if you don’t you can purchase toys at rummage sales, and Goodwill for cheap. Books and toys can be borrowed from the library and parents who attend your daycare can be asked if they have any items they would like to donate. Over the years I’ve gone to businesses in my area asking them if they had any donations, I’ve gotten items such as envelopes, huge roles of paper, colored sheets of sticker paper, books of wallpaper samples, the list goes on. All these items can be used for craft projects with children.

It always helps to be creative, one other thing I did that received rave reviews is I bought a large circular wooden table at Goodwill for $15.00. It was a beautiful table but too tall for small children. My solution was to chop off the legs.

It’s very important to keep in mind that many items around your home can be turned into items that would be great for daycare. Another example would be bones from Thanksgiving Turkey Dinners. Keep the large sized leg bones to show children and teach about bones in humans and animals.

Starting a daycare in your home is one of the cheapest businesses you can start. It only takes a short time to get things up and running. It’s not uncommon to start a daycare in one week’s time.



BRET

Alyice Edrich asked:


A few years ago I learned a very valuable lesson about myself. I do not like to host garage sales, but I love the money that comes from getting rid of my “junk.” Yep! You heard me say it, “JUNK!” By definition junk means to me: used stuff, in good condition, that one person no longer wants but another person has been looking for at a good price.

I’ve always been an avid believer in donating my junk to a charitable establishment that could put the money to good use. And since I had gotten my fair use out of the objects, I saw no reason to sell them in hopes of reclaiming some of the money I spent. It was easy, convenient, and indirectly helped our environment. A great idea if you ask me!

So when a friend asked me to host a multi-family garage sale with her I very strongly said, “No thank you. It’s not worth my time.”

“Your husband is unemployed and you are traveling across four states to start a new life and gain him employment. You need every bit of cash you can muster up!” she replied.

Still I wouldn’t cave! I was bound to stand firm. Then two weeks later, as I was once again explaining how my junk was going to help a needy family somewhere my two children turned to me and said, “Mom, right now we’re needy. Daddy needs a job and we need the money to help us move.”

“Okay, Okay,” I reluctantly said. “We’ll have a garage sale. But I don’t have to like it.”

We scoured the house for large ticket items that we didn’t want to lug to our new home. We scoured the house for items that we “just had to have” but never put to use. And we scoured the house for items that we used so much we couldn’t stand to look at them again. Five car loads later we were having our very first Wisconsin garage sale.

And you know what happened? Nothing! I priced the items, pulled up a chair next to my junk, and people watched. Four hours later, I hadn’t sold one single thing.

That’s when my friend came up to me and said, “You’re scaring the customers. Notice how I keep busy pricing and organizing? Notice how I don’t watch the customers but am available to answer questions and take money? You need to move your chairs over there and stop staring at them as they walk in the yard.”

“I’m so not cut out for this,” I thought to myself. But I did as she requested and two hours later I sold a few big ticketed items. After eight hours we still had lots of stuff left so we decided to host another garage sale the following week. Except this time, we would hold it on Wisconsin’s busiest garage sale day—Thursday.

We put up signs at every bulletin board in town, we posted signs on surrounding street corners, and we placed an ad in the local paper. We even bribed the kids. We would give them a $5 commission on each big ticket item sold at ticketed price!

You know what happened? Eight hours later we sold all our big ticketed items and donated the small ticketed items to charity. When I counted the money, I ecstatically said to my husband, “We made $160 today!” To which he replied, “So what’s that? Less than 1/8 of what we paid for the stuff?” I just had to chuckle because I knew he was right.



WYATT