If you've been planning a garage sale at your home, there are some garage sale safety tips that you should follow. Following these tips will help ensure that you have a successful garage sale that runs smoothly. Here's 7 garage sale safety tips to check out.
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1. Team up
One of the best garage sale safety tips that you should consider following is teaming up with a friend or family member and having a combined garage sale. If they are not interested in selling any of their items, simply ask them to help you with your sale. This will keep you from having to leave your garage sale unattended. It's also a good idea to have another person there to watch out for shoplifters.
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Having a garage sale is a great way to make some extra money and clear out some of the clutter in your home. However, it can also be a risky venture if you don’t take the necessary safety precautions. Here are some tips to remember when holding a garage sale at your home:
Team up: Ask a friend or family member to help you with your sale. This will keep you from having to leave your garage sale unattended, and it’s also a good idea to have another person there to watch out for shoplifters.
Lock up valuable items: Make sure to lock away any valuable items that you don’t want to sell. This includes electronics such as laptops, tablets, and gaming consoles.
Secure the premises: Before the sale, make sure all doors and windows are locked and there are no open spaces that could be used to access the inside of your home.
Have a safe: Keep a safe on hand to store the cash you make from the sale. This will protect you from theft and help you keep track of your earnings.
2. Lock Your Doors
If you're having a garage sale, you should always lock the doors to your home. If not, some people may try to slip into your home without your knowledge. If you have any electronic items that you plan to sell, hook up an extension cord that can be used outdoors. Never allow a customer to go into your home to see an item that you've haven't moved out yet.
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Even if you feel your neighborhood is safe, it's important to stay vigilant. Unlocked doors can be an open invitation for unwanted visitors. While it might be a hassle to keep going back and forth, consider having a designated sales assistant if possible. This could be a friend or family member who helps manage transactions while you ensure your house remains secure. Remember, the safety of your personal space should be a priority over the convenience of potential buyers.
Frequently asked questions
3. No Bathroom Breaks for Shoppers
You should never allow a customer to use your bathroom unless you personally know them. Keep in mind that if you allow someone that you know to use your bathroom and other customers notice this, they may ask to use it, too. Even if you feel sorry for someone and they look harmless, remember that they are a stranger. Instead of allowing them into your home, direct them to the nearest convenience store or restaurant.
4. Keep Cash Close
When having a garage sale, you should always keep the money that you've earned on you. Also, never keep large amounts of money on hand. If the garage sale is a success and you sell lots of stuff, be sure to put some of your profits locked away in your home. If there are several different people having a yard sale together, it may be wise to have one person handle all of the money.
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Keeping your hard-earned cash close means wearing a fanny pack, apron with pockets, or having a secure cash box that always stays within your sight and reach. It's crucial to minimize the risk of theft by limiting the amount of cash you keep on hand. Periodically, discreetly transfer excess cash to a secure location away from the sale area. If you're handling monetary transactions, always be vigilant and consider working in pairs to ensure one person can engage with customers while the other handles the money, maintaining optimum safety and efficiency.
5. Keep Your Phone Close
An emergency can happen at any time. You may have an overall aggressive customer who refuses to leave or you may have someone who decides to steal some of your items. Therefore, you should always keep your cell phone in your pocket during the garage sale. Be sure that the battery is fully charged before the sale starts.
6. Move It Outdoors
Even though you're planning to have a garage sale, consider moving everything outdoors. By doing this you will be able to lock your garage doors. This will make it easier for people who are passing by to see if there is a problem. Making your garage off limits to customers will also make them less likely to attempt to enter your home.
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Taking your sale to the driveway or front yard not only increases visibility but also adds a layer of security for your belongings inside the garage. Remember to keep your house doors locked during the sale to prevent any uninvited guests from slipping inside unnoticed. Plus, with the sale clearly visible from the street, you're more likely to attract curious buyers who are just passing by. A well-organized outdoor setup can bask in the sunshine, making your items more appealing and potentially driving up sales.
7. Put Items You Don't Want to Sell out of Sight
If you have items that you don't intend to sell sitting in your yard, such as your kid's play toys, you should put them out of sight. If you're unable to move them, simply place a sign on them stating that they're not for sale. If you keep items that you don't want to sell out where they can be seen, many customers will ask if those items are for sale. Some may even become upset when you tell them that an item is not for sale.
Have you ever had a garage sale? If so, are there any garage sale safety tips that you would like to add to this list? If you've never had a garage sale, perhaps you've been to one and have noticed some safety issues that you would like to add.
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