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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Have you ever....

.... held an antique sale or upscale yard sale?
I'm looking for advice or tips on throwing something other than a yard sale. My basement is busting at the seems with antiques, collectibles, and home decor stuff, but I don't want to hold just another yard sale and give the stuff away . I don't expect to get store prices either, I'm just looking for something in between. I had thought about taking stuff to a local indoor flea market, but that is a lot of hauling and work. I could sell it on my blog, but I really hate dealing with the packing and shipping.
So that leaves me with possibly turning my garage into a temporary store for a three day weekend sale. What do you think? Have you ever done it before? I thought I could clean out the garage quite well and then set it up with little vignettes . I would have people enter to through my mudroom door and block the rest of the house off and they would go directly to the garage. That way, I don't have to worry about the weather. I was thinking of advertising it with something like "antique and home decor sale", any thoughts? Would you go to something like that? I want to distinguish it from a typical yard sale, because like I said, I don't want to sell things for a quarter.

There is an annual craft sale here in May and I thought about piggybacking off of that because I know if women are out for one thing they are likely to be looking for more to go to. I also have a friend with some hand made goods who is looking to sell things, so I could possibly have a few people involved.

I know I have mentioned something like this before, but this time I am serious, my basement needs to get clean!

Any words of wisdom appreciated.

Tiff

14 comments:

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  2. I think its a Great idea! I did a sale like that with my things a couple of years ago, and did one a few years before that with some of my grandparents things and it went really well!

    Good Luck!

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  3. I think that should work...and without the garage door hanging open....there wont be people just wandering in and making stupid offers. If you advertise Antique and Collectable sale you will get people. Another thought....you could make a sign saying, Prices Firm....that will weed out the no so serious shoppers.
    If you really don't want it to look like a garage sale, you could hold your sale somewhere else...but then you probably have a rental fee involved.
    Are you familiar with Craig's List? That may be another selling option....and no shipping on your part.
    If I lived nearby....I would come....shoot...I would help you set it up! :)

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  4. I know that you can do a living estate sale too..people expect to pay more at an estate sale than at a garage or yard sale. I think if you posted the ad on Craigslist and had pictures of some of the items and prices people would get the idea too. I know if I lived anywhere within driving distance I certainly would be there for sure !!!! Coordinating it at the same time as the craft show is a wonderful idea too...I know when my gal pals and I hit up the craft show we are ALWAYS in the mood to shop even more. Additionally, to further drive your sale you could offer to let people pay via Paypal should they want to use a credit card since many people dont carry hundreds in cash on them (even for a sale). Best of luck Tiff...cant wait to hear how it all goes !

    Margie over at Hungry Hook Primitives

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  5. We do have Craigslist here and I have used it before, but there is just too much stuff to list on there.

    Hubby go this little square thing that goes on his phone and will let us take credit cards and then emails the person their receipt, so I think that will help.

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  6. I would list it as a estate sale.That would bring in dealers and people expecting to pay higher prices for nicer things.The thing is if you want the more upscale sale and expect to get better prices you can not have kids clothes and toys mixed in that will turn people away fast.Keep the kids stuff and quarter stuff for yardsale later.Hope this helps.Warm Blessings!~Amy

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  7. I had a sale this fall, everything that was left from my country/antique shop that I closed. Did it in my garage,my stuff was taking up a 3 car garage, so was perfect to decorate it like a store, and I had all four seasons and everyday stuff, it did look like a store and people loved it, and yes they bought, I did it for 3 wks. and still had people calling looking for something for awhile. I advertised it as "country to primitve" in the paper and street signs with the word Unique Sale, that is really what got them here and I also used Craigs list, wanted to sell lots of bolt fabric and big cupboards so that worked also. So something similar will work,oh and I left one garage door down, just so they had to pass by me if they didn't purchase anything, and only one person borrowed something wasn't pd. for, not bad since I had so many people. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
    Kaye

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  8. I would do what you said..sounds like you have it covered and I would definitely come if I lived closer..maybe advertise around town too..and maybe give numbers to everyone and let only 10 or so in at a time and then let another 10 in etc...do you watch cash and cari? she deals with estate sales..and you can see with the leftovers doing consigning..)

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  9. My neighbor around the corner from me does a "Antiques, Crafts, and Collectibles" sale one weekend of every month when the weather is warmer. She does it in her basement and has the customers come in through her garage since her basement door is right there. She puts a sign out at the main road and at the corner of her road and then one in her yard.
    I'm sure that folks would come to your sale. I know I would if I lived closer.
    ~Cindy~

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  10. Great idea, I'd come if I lived closer!

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  11. Tiff, that sounds like a great idea... put signs up but come up with something other than yard sale... I like the antique / collectible sale idea. I think if you coordinate with another event in town then you will get more traffic. Free advertising on craigs list and put signs up where ever you can. If you let me know when and where it is going to be held, and maybe do a little paper flyer or post card, I can hand them out at the shop. I did that last year for a craft show of one of my customers and she got alot of great business. Let me know if I can help at all...
    Sabrina

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  12. Do you have a upscale consignment shop nearby? You would get the most out of that I would think. People expect to open the wallet in a store. I wish I could attend your sale .

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  13. I think it would word to with the suggestions above - Antique/Collectible and making sure everything is marked and a sign that says "prices firm" Sounds like it could be a hit with the craft sale nearby!

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  14. Hi Tiff, I'm a antiques dealer along with my husband, for about 5 1/2 years now. We would go to something called a antique/home decor sale. We are always looking for another venue. I also thinking of piggy backing off the event in May is a real good idea, more people, more stuff sold. I'm going to follow your blog so I can see how it turns out. Where are you located? We are in PA.

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