Tips for Garage Sales

Omokoroa Cyberlink is running its Seventh Community Wide Garage Sale, on Saturday 18 October 2025 from 9am – 1pm.  Not only are signs provided but there is lots of advertising and many customers  come from across the Bay of Plenty to make a day of it.  

Gather and Sort Items
Declutter room by room — kitchen, wardrobes, shed, garage.
Ask yourself:  Have I used this in the last year?  Would I buy this again?
 
Group into categories:

• Household & kitchenware
• Toys & kids’ items
• Books, games
• Tools & garden gear
• Clothing & accessories
• Sports

 
Keep a “free” or “bargain box” for low-value items — people love a rummage!


Price Everything Clearly
Use coloured price dots or stickers, easy to see at a glance.
Round prices to the nearest dollar, it saves time and coins.
Bundle deals: e.g. “3 for $5” or “fill a bag for $10” to move volume.
 Not everybody likes to ask prices and looking around the pricing you are asking for will help people understand your expectations.
 
 Set Up Smartly

• Display items on tables, shelves, or boxes so they’re easy to browse.
• Group similar things together.
• Keep power cords handy if selling electronics (so buyers can test them).
• Play some background music — it creates a friendly vibe.
• Place balloons, bunting or flags to draw attention to your sale on the day

Be Ready for Buyers

• Have plenty of change (coins and notes).
• A money belt or apron is great for looking after the cash.
• Consider offering payment by online transfer for larger value items. Have your account number to hand on a poster, so people can see you have that option.
• Smile and chat — friendly sellers make for a more enjoyable experience all round

 After the Sale
Check out this advice, should you or shouldn’t you donate it?  If it didn’t sell, that could be because others do not want it either.  Think carefully before passing on your problem to a nonprofit. This youtube link shares Top 3 items that can cause issue for charities (in the USA but here in NZ too) when the charity has to pay to send to landfill because they are not good enough to be sold.       

1. Donations:  if desirable and good quality.   Donations can go to : Waipuna Hospice in Frase Cove (Mon - Fri 9:00-16:00)
   
2. Recycling: If it didn’t sell & come to the end of its life in that form. Break it down for recycling into various materials and most can be recycled  via your household kerbside bin. 
   
3. Return borrowed tables and take down signs.
   
4. Then sit back, enjoy the extra space (and a few extra dollars), and feel great about doing something positive for both your home and the environment.