Garage Sales

Uchenna Ani-Okoye asked:


Pick almost any city or town in the country, drive through any middle class neighbourhood or residential area on the weekend, and you’re sure to spot at least half dozen garage sales.

What’s being sold at these garage sales? The accumulated “junk” peoples no longer use or want taking up space in or around their homes. Are they making any money with these garage sales? You’d better believe they’re making money! It’s not at all uncommon to make $600 with a weekend garage sale. Is it hard to put on a profitable garage sale? Well, yes and no. It really does take some of your time, and also requires an awareness of a few merchandising tactics. But the problems in running a successful garage sale are small in comparison to the profits.

Who are the buyers, and how do you get them to come to your garage sale? Your customers are going to be everybody and you get them over to your garage sale with a little bit of advertising and promotion.

Let’s look at the background: Everybody accumulates the kind of garage sale items that other people are searching for, and are willing to buy. These items range from no longer wanted or outgrown items of clothing, to furniture, tools, knick-knacks, books, pictures and toys. Many garage sale items are objects of merchandise purchased on impulse, and later found to be not what the buyer wanted. He discovered too late that he really didn’t have a use for it, or he no longer has a need for it. Many items found at garage sales are gifts that have been given to the seller, but are the wrong size or incorrect choice for the recipient.

The problem with most people is that they haven’t the time to gather up all the items “just taking up space” in and around their homes and staging a garage sale to get rid of them. Many people don’t know how to stage a garage sale, and many other people feel that putting on a garage sale is just too much bother and work.

This is where you enter the picture. Your enterprise will be an ongoing garage sale of items donated and collected from these people who lack the inclination to put on garage sales of their own.

Step one is education: Spend a few weeks visiting all the garage sales, swap meets and flea markets in your area. Find out what’s being offered for sale, what people are buying, and how the merchandise is being sold. Generally an item is tagged with a price, but the seller is open to almost any reasonable offer from the customer. Another thing you want to make mental note of is the way the merchandise is displayed, and how the customers are allowed to browse.

You start your own garage sale by cleaning out your own basement, attic, closets and garage. Talk to your relatives and friends; tell them what you’re going to do and ask them for donations of no-longer used or unwanted items. It’s here that you’ll get your first experience in negotiating, and finally, an agreement for you to display and sell other people’s merchandise for a percentage of the sales price. You’ll find people explaining that they really don’t have a use for a specific item or they really don’t want to keep storing it, but because of sentimental reasons, “just **** to give it away.”

Once you’ve had a little experience with this type of seller, you will be able to advertise in the newspaper that you buy garage sale items, or take them on consignment for a percentage of the final sales price.



CHANCE

C LaRoy asked:


1. Before purchasing new clothing items, ask yourself if you really need it!

2. If you charge clothing, pay your bills before “due date”.

3. Consider shopping at discount stores.

4. Can you get along without it until a sale comes along at season’s end?

5. Is it a new “fad” that may be out of style in a short time?

6. Shop for clothing at rummage sales, garage sales, flea markets, etc.

7. Shop for used clothing at “like new” shops – see your Yellow Pages.

8. Watch newspaper ads for store sales, clearances, close-outs, etc.

9. Consider buying or renting a sewing machine and making it yourself.

10. Save by shining your own shoes.

11. Keep care costs in mind. Buy washables and save on dry cleaning bills.

12. Shop for clothing at thrift shops.

13. Always keep your clothes clean and in good repair. They’ll last longer.

14. Raise cash by selling discarded clothing at garage sales, flea markets, etc.

15. Alter adult’s clothing for your children.

16. Make minor clothing repairs yourself.

17. Get old shoes repaired for longer wear: resoled, new heels added, etc.

18. Buy only clothing items that are well made and will wear well.

19. Stick to basic styles, colors, fabrics.

20. Trade clothing items with friends & neighbors (especially children’s).

21. Carry a plastic raincoat to protect clothing from unexpected showers.

22. Look for clothing bargains in newspaper classified ads.

23. Buy versatile clothes that can be used for different occasions.

24. Buy coordinated clothing so you can mix and match and have more outfits.

25. Donate used clothing to charities for tax deductions.

26. Save older children’s clothing for hand-me-downs for the younger ones.

27. Hand clothes properly for longer life.

28. Change into old (washable) clothes for dirty at-home tasks.

29. Before storing, shoes should be cleaned, polished & shoe trees inserted.

30. Take extra special care of leather clothing items for lifetime wear.

31. Avoid dry cleaning bills. Many spots can be removed with cleaning fluids.

32. Buy dual-purpose clothing, such as reversible, topcoat/raincoats, etc.

33. If bored with a pair of shoes, consider dying them a different color.

34. Use worn-out clothing for cleaning, household wipes, and “nose blowers”.

35. Consider saving by ordering clothing items from mail order houses.

36. Buy children’s clothing items a size or two larger for longer wear.

37. During sales, stock up on basics: sleep wear, underwear, socks, etc.

38. Teach children to care for their clothing.

39. Don’t “kill time” in clothing stores or you may buy things you don’t need.

40. Get to know where to go for the best buys for certain items.

41. Practice sales resistance if you can’t find exactly what you want.

42. Remember that high price does not necessarily mean good quality.

43. When shopping, have a definite plan and stick to it.

44. If you cannot find what you want, go home without it.

45. Never buy anything just because “everyone else is wearing it”!

46. Buy men’s suits & coats in February, April, and November & before Christmas.

47. Stock up on children’s clothes after back-to-school sales in October.

48. Buy men’s shirts, socks and underwear before Father’s Day in June.

49. Buy women’s winter coats & suits in November.

50. Buy summer clothing, swimsuits, shoes & sandals during sales in July.

51. Buy cocktail dresses, winter boots and furs during January sales.

52. Shop “After Easter” sales for children’s clothes, dresses, spring coats and fabrics

53. Look for spring sportswear sales during May.

54. Buy ski clothing during August; other sports clothing during July sales.

55. Shop on the internet at http://www.worldcrownmall.com to save $$$$$.



FELIX

Roselind Hejl asked:


Your home may be in good condition and well built, yet simple clutter will create a perception of chaos, confusion, and disorder. The purchase decision is an emotional and intellectual response, based on a level of trust in your home. When buyers see clutter, they assume that the home has been neglected, with more to fix than meets the eye. This perception undermines your home’s market value. De-cluttering is an essential part of your preparation, and is virtually cost free. This activity is goes hand in hand with moving. Before you put your home on the market, have a garage sale, throw some things out, and box stuff up. Your move will be easier, and you will create an open, spacious, simplified look that buyers love. If you need support, a local home staging service can work with your furniture and create a whole new look. When it comes to selling your home, less is truly more.

1) Front Yard

De-cluttering starts with your front yard. Make sure the yard is mowed and edged, and remove toys, junk piles, empty flower pots, etc.

An evenly cut yard is pleasing to the eye. Fertilize the grass a month or two ahead.

Overgrown, woody shrubs give an old, tired look. Trim or remove them.

Do not allow shrubs to cover windows. They block light on the interior, and give an appearance of crowding on the exterior.

Coil hoses and place any tools inside the garage.

Find a place to store extra cars or boats - other than the front of your house.

De-clutter flower beds. Mulch is inexpensive (about $2.00 per bag), and does wonders to simplify garden beds, especially in winter when plants are thin. Add flowers on the porch or in beds if weather permits.

Too many flowerpots are distracting - use a few large pots with healthy plants.

Never have empty pots or dead plants sitting around.

Dried wreaths may be used on doors in winter, for a simple focal point.

2) Entry

The buyers’ first impression is critical, and shapes their attitude throughout the showing.

Invest in a brand new welcome mat.

Stains, scratches and dirty spots create distractions to the eye, and are a form of clutter. Clean, paint, and eliminate as many of these as possible.

Pay close attention to your front door. Is it dirty, darkened by mildew, or in need of re-finishing?

Fresh paint or stain will make a huge difference.

Consider having your whole house power washed to remove stains, spider webs and other clutter. The foyer should be clear of shoes, coats, or excess items on the walls.

Create a single focal point in the entry with an attractive table or painting.

3) Living Areas

Rooms should be sparsely furnished to appear larger and lighter.

The garage or an off-site storage room can be used to hold extra pieces of furniture.

Move large pieces of equipment - drums, telescopes, exercise equipment, etc. - to the garage or off-site.

Do not allow furniture to block windows, doorways, or traffic patterns through rooms.

Do not allow wires to cross traffic patterns. Choose one or two elements as the main points of interest in a room - wood floors, a view, a table or piece of furniture, a nicely made bed, etc.

Too many personal collections and photographs are distracting for buyers.

Buyers must be able to imagine their own family in the home.

A few decorative items or photographs on tables are fine, but reduce these to just a few nice pieces. Remove hunting trophies. They can be overwhelming in a small room, and may bother some buyers.

Large plants often take up too much space. Allow only a few healthy plants in the house.

Bookshelves add a warm touch to a room, but be sure that they are not overloaded.

Place books so that the backs are even. Lay some books horizontally, and leave open space for art objects.

Open window blinds and leave on a few lamps for pleasant lighting.

4) Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home and plays an important part in attracting the heart of a buyer. This is an active area that usually needs special attention.

Clean, evenly finished cabinetry is a must. Add new paint or stain, if necessary.

Benjamin Moore Paints has a product called “Howard’s Restore-a-finish” that works wonders on scratched or worn cabinets.

New cabinet pulls are an inexpensive item that can help tie the room together in terms of colors and finishes.

Remove purely functional items - such as baking pans, small appliances, vitamins, phone books, plastic bags, etc.

Do not have notes or photos on the refrigerator.

Clear the counters completely, then add back a few decorator items.

Choose decorative pieces that contribute to a warm, elegant, organized look.

Some suggestions: Flowers, fruit, cookbooks, wine, bowls, antiques, new dish towels, small designer appliances, etc.

Often the area under the sink needs organizing and cleaning.

Never leave trash containers out in the kitchen.

5) Bathrooms

It is important to de-clutter bathrooms to give them a touch of elegance or romance.

Keep in mind that you will give up some privacy during the marketing period.

Start by removing everything from the counters.

Remove any toilet brushes or cleaners that are visible.

Put items that you use daily - toothbrushes, soaps, razors - in a container, and place the container inside in a cabinet.

Decorate with fresh soaps, flowers, bowls, photos, or designer bath items.

Invest in new towels and fold them carefully.

Never leave medicines, money, x rated magazines, jewelry, guns, or personal possessions of this type on display.

6) Bedrooms

Bedrooms should appear restful and serene. Sparsely furnished is best.

Use your best covers, or invest in new ones if yours are worn.

Clear off bedside tables, and add back just a few books or nice items.

Bedside lamps add a warm ambience for showings.

Remove excess paintings or photos from the walls.

In some cases, old curtains do more harm than good. Take them down and clean the windows for a fresh look.

Children’s bedrooms usually need to be simplified. Take down posters and box up toys. Avoid an overcrowded look.

7) Closets

Organize your pantry with everything facing forward. Remove excess food and containers.

Relieve your closets if they are stuffed. Pack items that are not needed.

The laundry room often functions as a spill over room with junk on the shelves. Clear everything out, and have just a few soap boxes visible.

Often sellers have organized their homes to express themselves - their travels, collections, interests, favorite colors and unique tastes. However, when selling a home, the goal is just the opposite. It is to create a clean, simple background that many different buyers would like to move into. Excess items and clutter confuses and distracts buyers during showings. They should not be required to “look past” your possessions. They are there to see if your house fits them, and their emotional level response is a strong factor in their decision. Warm, clean, simple, spacious, well lighted, neutral - and uncluttered - these are the keys to getting the best price for your home.



ERIK

Theresa A. Nixon asked:


Do you find yourself staring down the yaw of yet another lean month wondering how you’re going to pay those unexpected bills or fill up your gas tank?  Before you decide to hotfoot it down to the nearest payday advance store, thereby putting yourself on that go-nowhere treadmill of borrowing money only to pay it back at exorbitant interest rates, look at some of these tips for making quick cash.  With a little ingenuity, these ideas can help you over the rough patches, and even enable you to save money so you can build a financial cushion to help you during lean times.    

 Recycling

 Definitely not the most glamorous but this is probably the easiest way to make quick money; however, it does take effort and a certain measure of humility.  I have a friend who has made a business out of collecting bottles, cans, glass, and plastics while on his way to and from work, and during his free time on the weekends.  He always carries a large tote bag over his shoulder and fills it to the brim each day, adding more space by smashing the bottles and cans to condense them.  He stockpiles anywhere from 300 to 500 bottles, cans, and other recyclables per week.  At five cents per bottle and can (check to see how much your state pays – some pay more, some less), this can fetch you anywhere from sixty to one hundred dollars a month.  Of course, you would have to do diligent collecting to garner the same results; but you’d be surprised how quickly your cache can actually grow.  The best places to look are parks, recreation areas, trash bins around fast food restaurants and stop and go marts, and along street curbs.  You can enlist others to help out by asking them to donate any bottles, cans, glass, or plastic containers to you (some states, like California, do not accept milk or similar containers; also, some liquor bottles may not be redeemable).  To make the daily expeditions less painful to your pride, I suggest creating a banner to place on your tote sack with wording like, “Recycling For The Planet,” or “Recycle Junkie,” or something similar.  This way, it shows the world you’re civic-minded as well as thrifty.  Granted, it won’t make you a fortune; but the dollars can rack up pretty quickly with diligent collecting.  If you’re squeamish about picking up from trash bins or curbs, wear an old pair of gloves while gathering, use a trash pick-up stick (check the dollar stores for inexpensive brands), or simply use a plastic sandwich bag as a makeshift glove and begin collecting away.    

 Yard/Garage Sale

 This is another terrific way to raise cash in a hurry.  Everyone loves browsing at a yard sale; but keep in mind, people come to these events to find cheap bargains.  Set your prices right and you can make bank.  Some best sellers at yard sales are clothing of all kinds, especially blue jeans, women’s tops, men’s shirts, and shoes; baby items; electronics (TVs, radios, dvd/cd players); books; dishes; and small furniture such as end tables, chairs, and bureaus.  Novelty items such as figurines, ashtrays (a real find nowadays), and boudoir lamps also sell very well.  Just about anything you lay out in a yard sale will appeal to someone.  Clean out your closets of any clothing and shoes you no longer use; salvage good, usable items from your garage; look around for old blankets, sheets or curtains (another great seller) you have in storage but don’t need; any items that you can turn into quick bucks for your bank account! 

 Consignment Shops

 Probably not as good as holding a yard sale where you keep 100% of the profits; but a good way, nonetheless, of making a little extra cash.  Sell good suits, dresses, shoes and furniture for a percentage of the profits at local consignment shops and/or boutiques.  Some items, such as a wedding dress or a well-maintained sofa, can be sold at premium prices depending on the quality of the merchandise, thereby garnering you a greater profit. 

 Reselling

 My particular favorite is refurbishing old pieces of furniture and crockery found at yard sales, thrift stores, or better yet, on street curbs, then reselling them for a tidy profit.  If you have a creative knack (even if that only extends to holding a brush and paint can), you can do very well, indeed.  All it takes is some paint, some stenciling brushes, a few patterns (unless you’re gifted with drawing talent) and a little creative imagination.  I once found an old night table that someone had discarded on the street.  I took it home, sanded it down, put a coat of primer on it; then painted it with bright pastel colors.  I added my own unique design with striping and a new, wooden knob for the drawer (striping is easy; simply place painter’s tape where you want the stripes, let the outer paint dry; then pull off the tape and fill in the stripes as desired).  It turned out beautiful!  I sold it for twenty-five dollars in a yard sale.  Not a bad profit for minimum work on an item that was free!  I also once found an old floor lamp at a thrift store and gave it new life by painting it antique white, then revived the shade by gluing fabric and fringe to it.  It became the focal point of my living room.  Old dishes can be made works of art with some crafters acrylic paint and a little imagination.  Swirl decorative vines or flowers around the rims using stencil brushes; dip the brushes very lightly in acrylic paint, lay a stencil pattern over the area you wish to decorate, and swirl away!  (You can always make up your own patterns, too, or hand-paint your own decorations).  Gold trim around the edges create a lush look (plain dishes are best for this).  Make matching plates, bowls, and cups; then sell in a yard sale, boutique, or rummage sale.  Of course, the best items are those you pick up for free; you can find some fine pieces on the street.  These may not look great at first glance; but by visualizing how a piece could look with a little creative magic, you can bring real dividends to your pocketbook.  Thrift stores tend to be a bit pricey nowadays; but if you look sharply for the odd item here and there, you’re bound to find a bargain that you can later transform into a financial profit. 



JACKSON

Robert Benson asked:


As CD sales sour, the music industry is evolving in a peculiar way. Music lovers’ are turning their attention to the past, reverting back to vinyl records.

For some it is an enjoyable hobby, recapturing a part of their youth. Yet for others, collecting vinyl records is a passion, as they scour the online web sites, record conventions, garage and rummage sales and small resale shops to secure their favorite records and add to their collecting collage of vinyl.

However, if you were to ask them why records are so appealing most will tell you it is the sound of vinyl that is the most enjoyable. They may be tired of the sterile music reproduction of a cd or digitized download. You will hear the term, “vinyl just has a warmer sound” or that they love the experience, an almost ritualistic pattern that is involved in playing a vinyl record.

But I think the best way to describe the sound that vinyl exudes is an analogy I like to use. A vinyl record is like a “fingerprint” of the recorded music. There is a clearness and clarity to the music, and the sound is actually captured and etched into the grooves of the records. Conversely, digital sound is like a copy of that “fingerprint” and something is lost when the music is compressed into 1’s and 0’s, or what I refer to as “binary sound.”

Now, this phenomenon may be satisfactory to some and the CD certainly has its place as a musical format. In our throw away society, CD’s offer convenience and a method to play music that the vinyl record cannot offer. But “binary sound,” to me, is just too clear- you are missing important elements of the recorded sound, sounds that the artist who recorded the music wanted you to hear.

In our digitized world there are compelling arguments for whatever sound reproduction format a person chooses. But you will never take the vinyl lover out of me.



MAURICE

Madeleine M Langlois asked:


Diy Christmas Table Decorations, Make-it-yourself holiday tabletop.

Miy Project creation and Photo by: Madeleine M Langlois

My “Christmas in Paris” theme is based on a composition of blending the old with the new. My grandmother’s table was always set with the finest bone china and antique silverware. Oil paintings, painted by my grandfather, graced the walls. Her holiday décor was fashioned with stylish satin ribbons, shimmering crystals, and an exquisite white Christmas tree, decorated with but a few striking ornaments. Place cards, Christmas crackers and a personalized centerpiece coordinated the whole ensemble. She always used fresh greenery and flowers to garnish her home.

Copyright Miy Decorations © 2006

For more Miy decor projects visit www.maddylane-decor.com

Even thecolour palette that I selected was nostalgic; a combination of bright turquoise, greens and blues with soft pastels in similar hues amidst accents of silver, angelic whites and chocolate brown. As a young girl, these unusual combinations of Christmas colours made quite an impression on me. My table this year is an homage to my grandmother who is now 98 years old. You could say that style influences along with traditions are also passed on through generations. With this specific concept in mind, the table I chose is a cream-coloured dining room set by Tommy Bahamas. This set was very close in resemblance, shape and style to the look I wanted to recreate. Even though this particular set is more intended for a Bahamian plantation, which is much en vogue, it worked beautifully to accomplish my goal.

The square-patterned taffeta table runners are in bright iridescent colour blocks of emerald greens, deep-sea turquoises and opulent blues. The organza centre panel runner is a soft pastel aqua shade. The runners are all trimmed with luxurious satin borders. The main table cloth is a sheer underskirt in a delicious café-au-lait colour. It is edged with a multi-coloured trim made with fun-fibre wool.

For the place setting for four, I chose the Rochelle Platinum collection by Noritake - fine white china, trimmed with an exquisite silver-dotted textured border. I transfered images of the Eiffel Tower, in tones of deep turquoise, to the center of clear plates. Using clear plates allows the bright image to stand out on the white background of the china.

Beneath the place settings, sit lovely silver charger plates with beaded edges. The glasses are from the Grossgrain collection by Vera Wang. Tiny white dots and fine stripes line the borders of the shapely glasses. For the water glasses, I transformed plain glasses (picked up at a rummage sale) with turquoise and green stripes using glass paints.

I wanted a chic, yet fun centerpiece with a different twist. I used a crystal, square-shaped cake stand and filled it with assorted pearls, green and silver balls, and placed a pillar candle at the center. To decorate the hutch and the buffet I used fresh greenery, supplied by Westmont Florist, to make graceful arrangements. Eucalyptus sprigs, pine and willow branches, Queen Anne’s lace and Ornitogalums are refined with silver angel hair accents. The vases are accented with marble-pattern squares, blending assorted shades of blues and greens.

The crystal candle holders are bejewelled with a crystal beaded fringe, which is repeated throughout the theme. The tea-light candle holders are edged with a white feather frill. Two frosted glass votive lamps are embellished with clear micro beads in shapes of Eiffel Towers. I revamped an old chandelier to coordinate with the setting. I painted it silver, added fine details such as: crystal bead fringe, fancy white and silver fuzzy wool, draped with pearls, lavish ribbons, and crystal pendant jewels (taken from other items that I recycled).I created a mini art gallery incorporating mainly photographs with assorted art mediums including a painting of the

Eiffel Tower, lit up with tiny rice lights. Photo montages are made with panoramic pictures of Paris placed over canvases covered with patterned rice paper. Two canvases were covered with textured wallpaper and bordered with satin ribbons. My teenage son Spencer made his contribution to the mini gallery with a graffiti sign of Paris using oil pastels on canvas.

For the finishing details, the backs of the chairs were decorated with a blue satin bow, a crystal bead tassel and a pine branch surrounded by a silver wire swirl accent. I applied family photographs onto self-hardening clay to create an advent calendar tree and attached them onto a white feathered tabletop tree. A coordinating feathered square wreath centers a grand round mirror.

The Christmas tree: An Eiffel tower shaped tree made out of willow branches is gracefully trimmed with a fluffy white feathered boa. Tiny glass balls and paper ornaments are decorated with feathers, crystals, micro beads and sequences.I made a simple garland using a spiral silver wire, a few pine branches, silver holly shapes made with foil and a silver wire to spell the word Noël. I made mini Eiffel Towers out of wire for the place card holders. Fake chocolates were made with clay.

The gifts were uniquely wrapped in shapes of bonbons, and frilly purses using assorted papers, pictures, fabrics and ribbons left over from the items created for this theme. Wire monograms, old-fashioned labels, and fun-fur were also incorporated in some of the pretty wrappings. Hand-made greeting cards were customized using similar materials, and also micro beads, silver foil, fuzzy wool, shrink film designs and sequins. There is so much more to describe, a Paris travel souvenir tray, a cake candle, hat boxes, a lavish picture throw, and more.

The decorations that I created for my theme table, even if they seem quite elaborate, can easily be recreated with very few craft supplies, available in arts and crafts and fabric stores and many various remnants from around your home. Make your holidays special, personalized it!



JEROME

Suzanne Arant Wells asked:


We have changed our clocks, baseball has started, so that can only mean one thing – its spring garage sale time. If you haven’t tried garage sales for finding merchandise to sell on eBay, maybe you should explore this option.

There is a strategy for getting the most out of your garage sale shopping efforts. Here are a few tips to help you maximize your efforts, and minimize your time investment.

1) Plan ahead. Go to craigslist.org to look for garage sale ads in your area. More and more people are relying on craigslist for free advertising. Garage sales usually start on Fridays, and the posts on craiglist start appearing on Tuesdays. Check daily for new posts, and keep a list of sales in your area. You can also look at your local newspaper’s website for garage sale ads. The big neighborhoods will usually advertise there. You can find a lot of items quickly if you go to the neighborhood sales, versus sales scattered around town.

2) Go to sales in the affluent parts of town. First, they will have better items. Second, you have no idea of a person’s financial situation and they may be having a garage sale to pay bills.

3) Go early. Most garage sales will start at 8 AM. Arrive early to get the best selection. The earlier in the day you start the better chance you have of finding “good” stuff.

4) Take plenty of cash. You don’t want to have to take valuable time convincing the seller to take your check. Most people have a garage sale for one reason – to make money. They don’t want checks – they want cold, hard, cash.

5) Be prepared. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Take bottled water. Keep snacks in the car. Bring your cell phone in case you find something you are unsure about, you can call your spouse or a friend for their opinion.

6) Don’t be afraid to bargain or make offers. People have garage sales to get rid of stuff. They don’t want to have to haul it all back in the house at the end of the day. Make reasonable offers and be fair.

7) Use the “cash in hand” technique. I do this all the time. Say for example I find something for $20, and think it is overpriced. I inconspicuously take a $10 bill out of my pocket and walk up to the seller. Then, with the bill in plain view, I say, “Hi, I am interested in that item over there. I only have $10 left, would you take that?” Seeing the cash, the seller usually takes it. The idea is to be reasonable. The later in the day that you use this technique, the better it works.

I have some interesting stories about garage sales. I went to a huge neighborhood sale in my community last fall. The woman had all kinds of men’s items – really nice clothing, shoes, golf equipment, sporting goods, and “guy stuff.” I found a really nice pair of Justin lizard skin boots, barely worn, for $5. (These boots retail for about $300.) That was an amazing find. So, I went to pay for the item, and the woman started telling me how she and her husband had a fight and he left town on a hunting trip for a week. She was having a garage sale and getting rid of all his stuff that she didn’t like. I asked, “He isn’t going to track me down and get me, is he?” She just laughed, and said, “Probably not. I might sell his car, too.” Those boots ended up selling for $98 and were shipped to Germany.

You might be wondering what to look for at garage sales. Here are some examples of what I have found, and how much the items sold for on eBay.

1) George Forman grill new in box , $5, sold for $30 2) Hooked on Phonics set, excellent used condition, $5, sold for $68 3) Mary Kay cosmetics, various items new in boxes, paid $1 each, sold for about $10 each (the lady was a Mary Kay rep getting rid of inventory) 4) Oscar de la Renta wool blazer new with tag, $5, sold for $52 5) Wagner wallpaper remover steamer new in box, $5, sold for $25 6) Dr. Martens shoes, gently worn, $3, sold for $47 7) Pampered Chef apple corer/peeler, used with box, $5, sold for $20 Men’s Nike Shox shoes, gently worn, $3, sold for $46 9) Yankee 20 oz jar candle, barely used (was lit once and the person didn’t like the scent), $1, sold for $12 10) Lexmark printer ink cartridge, new in box, $1, sold for $16

Look for items new in the package or new in the box. Look for gently used designer apparel and shoes. So, you can see that garage sales are a great venue for finding items to sell. If you plan ahead, you can get a lot accomplished in one day.

Learn more about selling on eBay

Visit my blog for more eBay selling information.



ALEJANDRO

Peter Francis asked:


It’s no secret that professional writing is a difficult field to break into. The latest estimates state that of all the professional writers in America, only about 30 percent actually make their living solely from writing. That means 70 percent of writers must rely on extra income from a spouse or another job. Writers will be delighted to learn there are many possibilities out there for making some extra cash.

Despite the seemingly discouraging statistics, there are many potential writing ventures that can bring in profit. Writing can be the perfect outlet for you to share your favorite interests and gain a readership. Professional writers need not be the only individuals who can profit from these opportunities. Many stay-at-home moms and dads also can find a healthy extra income for a vacation or just to save for that proverbial rainy day. College students may find the time to utilize their writing skills during breaks and vacations. This can help with both living expenses and the cost of academic needs.

One of the easiest and often most successful ventures in this area is creating your own e-books. This process is probably more enjoyable, and much simpler, than you might imagine. There area several easy steps for creating and selling your own e-book from the comfort of home.

You should develop your ideas around content you genuinely enjoy. Do you have an affinity for fly-fishing? You can use your knowledge to educate novices to the field of fishing, and at the same time earn an income from the sale of your e-book. Self-publishing gives you the option of either keeping the profits for personal needs or investing in promotion and further development of your readership.

You can base your e-book on any hobby or special interest you have. Even such activities as cake decorating and sewing can be used as e-book content. If you are an avid reader, you can center your e-book on the processes you go through to find the best books. Do you visit flea markets or rummage sales often? You can share your tips and advice on finding the best deals.

Once you have decided on a topic, you can lay out a full plan for your book. The creation of your electronic book will be easy once you overcome the planning stages. Creating a plan for an e-book is an exciting endeavor. Since the book is in electronic form, it is not bound to the practices of print publication. There are no page requirements and you have no worries with waste or storage.

Electronic publication gives you the greatest freedom without the common hassles of the printed world. Just as with a printed book, though, every chapter should contain relevant information and present your thoughts and advice in a clear and understandable manner. The best non-fiction books often have an introduction at the beginning. You never know how little your reader may know on the subject and the introductory chapter offers a direct tutorial on the basic subject matter.

To create the best e-book possible, you also must adhere to general rules of grammar. There are countless free Web sites that offer guidance on grammar and usage. These will be invaluable when making a book that others will read and enjoy. Nothing ruins a good book faster, in print or electronic form, than errors and inconsistencies.

When you have written, edited, and polished your book, you are ready to publish. There are many programs online designed to help you create an e-book. You should offer it in a variety of formats for your potential readers’ convenience. You also should price your electronic book fairly and based upon the work you put into it.

If you have your own e-book, you can sell it anywhere commercial or promotional transactions are allowed. Many blogs will let you sell your product if you do it in accordance with their terms of service. Also, many free Web pages will allow you to mention your product if you adhere to their rules. This process works even more efficiently if you have your own Web site where you can sell your product.

Creating and selling your own e-books can be a great method to help you save up for that special goal. All it takes is imagination and innovation. Beyond that, the best tools for your e-book projects will be the resources available online.



WILBUR

sarahbaltic asked:


When selecting a diamond rendezvous ring the chief factor may be selecting the diamond even though it is significant not to cut rate on the mounting in which the diamond is positioned. Those around you will not only perceive your stunning diamond gemstone but the diamond ring background as well. A good-looking diamond which is positioned in a less than acceptable mounting may carry away from the on the whole appearance of the diamond engagement ring. Therefore, there are hardly any factors you must mull over when selecting a mounting for your diamond engagement ring so that the concluding product is exceptional.

Technique of the Ring Setting

When you choose a ring setting you desire to be confident that the style of the setting coincides with the diamond style. Choosing a setting is dependent to a great extent on the desired style which you are probing for in a ring setting. When looking at your setting variants think of how your diamond will appear in that picky style of setting. Also, mull over if you desire your setting to have a fashionable feel about it or be traditional in nature. This will assist you to narrow down the variants and get you well on your way to selecting the most excellent diamond engagement ring setting out there. In adding up, mull over what type of spike setting you would like as an assured amount of prongs may be more pleasing than another total.

Setting work of art

Another significant issue relating to diamond engagement ring settings is the setting work of art. You will be capable to decide from a hardly any dissimilar metals such as white gold, yellow gold, platinum and titanium. The category of metal which you desired for your ring setting will differ in price. Therefore, if you are demanding to stay within a financial plan on the engagement ring purchase you may have to go with white gold or yellow gold as these are repeatedly more cost efficient when selected with platinum. You should also judge whether you fancy your engagement ring to contest your wedding band as well as your husband’s wedding band. This will assist to push you in the right course with regards to metal types.

Shopping on a financial plan

For those who are buying on a budget, there are hardly any things to maintain in mind in order to build your setting shopping as inexpensive as probable. As mentioned above, different metal types will be less expensive than others will. Therefore, if you are demanding to maintain your costs low with regard to settings, you can opt for a gold setting which is often plausibly priced. A supplementary way to efficiently shop on a financial plan for diamond engagement ring settings is to strive to find these items on rummage sale. At positive times during the year jewelers will have recurrent sales which proffer jewelry items at an inferior cost. You should be tremendously cautious of any stock up that has a sale happening on every day of the year.



WAYNE

David Fishman asked:


Its spring time again, it time to clean and start selling your stuff in a garage sale. Garage sales are more successful when they are organized by a group of people. Whatever you do, don’t charge too much. Many people of have garage sales usually keep most of the items under $5.00. Make sure your garage sale is not sloppily organized. Garage sales take time and effort, it is not something that should be taken lightly, there is a lot of work that goes into it, and it is almost like having a small business. Many people have garage sales to earn extra money or when cleaning out their homes they need away of getting rid of their unwanted items. There are many different factors that will help for a successful garage sale. The one main factor is the type of products and how are they selling. Experience is still the best teacher any individual can have and having garage sales is no exception to the rule.

It’s also a good idea to mark up your asking price from the bottom-line price you are willing to accept. Basically, the price marked on the price tag at most garage sales is taken as the starting price from which the buyer and seller negotiate. Garage sales are events that need detailed planning. Garage sales are a lot of fun especially when have the ability to haggle the price down to almost nothing.

You should group all same items together and set one price for them. Before a garage sale, these items should be categorized. One of the most important things to do before it starts is pricing. When selling items you will need to leave room to negotiate the price. You may offer special discount prices to some items. You may find customers still asking for discounts even if the items are already priced low.

If you have expensive items and you think they are valuable have them appraised by a dealer or an appraiser. Most of the time you can find them in the yellow pages or you can do a search on the internet. In fact, don’t throw anything away. You will be surprised at what people will buy. Price your items fairly, but not too low. People should learn how to give away gadgets that they cannot decide to keep or toss. Most people think that it is enough to put a single ad in the local paper one week before the sale. It is a well accepted theory that people are most productive and alert at the beginning of a work day then they are at later times of the day so start your garage sale early in the morning.

The most important part of the garage sale is the products, if you don’t have good ones no one will buy. We all know when visiting a garage sale you are looking for the items that are being sold, if the products are not good and they are trash the garage sale will not do well, it doesn’t matter if how well you planned if there is of nothing of interest the people will not buy, this will make it hard for you garage sale to succeed. You may ask for the help of friends to assist the customers on their search of their targeted item. Make sure that your sellers are able to locate each item in the garage sale.



GREGG