Arrange to borrow card tables to display items, if needed.
You will need a clothesline or racks for clothing and probably extra hangers. Hanging
clothes keeps items from being unfolded and jumbled in a pile.

It’s useful for shoppers if items are grouped. Place
children’s clothes or toys together for instance, and
kitchenware in another area. Boxes keep small items
from getting lost among other things.

Allow plenty of space for people to move about
and browse. Crowding causes confusion. Arrange for
electrical outlets or an extension cord to be available
so appliances can be tested.
If you have quite a bit of clothing, you might consider
partitioning off a corner of your garage for
people to try on clothes. Provide a mirror. Do not allow
them to enter your house.
Mark items in your garage or yard that are not for
sale. If necessary, cover these items with sheets, drop
cloths, or tarpaulins. Move small items to your back
yard or into the house.
You can hang items on a fence or place them along
your driveway. Put books, binding up, in cardboard boxes. If you or a friend have a knack for displaying items, use it to your advantage. If you have toys for sale, put them in a box on the ground for children to play with. This keeps children busy and also helps sell the toys. Some people pick up toys at other sales to have on hand to keep children occupied. Be sure they are priced.

Sit at the front of your property with the cash box
so people will have to walk past you to leave. This
will prevent thefts. Have helpers watch so items don’t
walk off. Place items such as jewelry near the cashier
or on the cashier’s table.

Indicate boundaries that are off limits to your customers. Use ropes or signs if your sales location is such that people might wander into your backyard or house.
If you’re selling any clothing at all, which most people do, don’t forget to go through the pockets first; you can overlook anything from jewelry to credit card receipts to money when they’re tucked into the pocket of something that hasn’t been worn in a while. Ditto for purses, backpacks, and the like. If you’ll be hanging things, don’t spend a lot of money on fancy plastic hangers, because a lot of people will assume they’re included in the sale and take them home. Spend the least amount possible on cheap wire hangers. If you’re selling electric or battery-powered items, be prepared to prove that they are in good working condition. Have a few batteries of assorted sizes available to pop in so you can demonstrate that the item actually functions. The same goes for electrical items; try to station them near an outlet.
Provide paper bags or boxes for purchases, people appreciate it.
Add Pizzazz Some experienced sellers like to add a little flair or some traffic-stopping touches such as balloons or streamers at the site. One couple hung an oversized
pair of red hunter’s pants on a tree. Election hats, barbecue aprons, or other apparel can be worn to identify yourself and your assistants as the persons in charge. A large half-price sign can be put up when sales lag and you are ready to clear out the last items. Most experts agree serving refreshments is far more trouble than it is worth. Children might have fun with a lemonade stand if you can cope with that and the sale, too.

Presentation

Presentation is crucial. People will pass right by a sale that looks sloppy and unappealing. You’ve worked so hard to get everything ready and the word out there, so it would be a shame for all that effort to be wasted on a sale that nobody wants to spend time at. Make sure the location is clean to begin with: the grass is mowed, any trash or debris is disposed of, and any tripping hazards, such as large rocks, are eliminated. Dogs should be put in a place where they won’t bark at everyone who approaches. You can draw attention to your sale by placing signs (and/or balloons) at the end of your driveway or on your mailbox to let shoppers know they’ve got the right house, especially if your sale is going to be held in the back yard or in the garage where the merchandise may not be as readily visible.

Your tables should be clean and well-organized; expect to spend a good portion of time tidying up and re-folding after customers who aren’t careful when they examine things. It’s important to make sure that your things don’t look “picked-over.” You don’t see massive jumbles of merchandise carelessly piled on the tables at retail stores, do you? Make sure that items of clothing are neatly folded and stacked, or hung, and that the titles of books, CDs, and videos are visible.

Ambience can make a lot of difference. A little extra effort can go a long way. Smile and warmly greet each person. Try to provide some soft background noise, such as a radio; that way people can talk freely amongst themselves without feeling like they have to whisper. If it’s a hot day, consider having a pitcher of ice water and some disposable cups on hand (don’t forget to have a trash can nearby) … or make even more extra money by selling store-brand sodas or lemonade. Have plenty of bags on hand – grocery store bags are fine – so that your customers can easily carry their purchases (they may even be inclined to buy more if they know they won’t have to schlep it back to the car by the armload).

Important Resources for Cashing Trash - Getting Rid of Unwanted Items for Cash

Garage Sale Fever! Hot Ideas For Holding Your Own Sale Plus Tips for Discovering Treasure Local Sales by John D. Schroeder (Paperback - May 5, 2005)