“These sales are a great way to unclutter, make money and do something fun as a family at the same time,” says Cathy Pedigo, author of How to Have Big Money Garage Sales. Follow these steps for a successful event:

1. Allow at least four to six weeks to prepare for your sale

Avoid scheduling it the same weekend as your neighbor’s sale or a local church bazaar. “It’s best to be the only sale — people may visit the other one first and decide not to come to yours,” says Pedigo.

2. Go through your house and collect any unwanted things

If you’re hesitant to sell something because you don’t think anyone would want it, think again. What you may see as junk, another person may consider pure gold. And don’t overlook broken appliances or furniture with missing legs. “There are a lot of people who enjoy fixing things and will buy something that’s broken,” notes Pedigo. Just play fair: If it isn’t immediately obvious that the item is broken, add a sign that alerts customers.

3. Place an ad in your local paper or on a local Web site

Set a newspaper ad to run from the day before your sale through the last day; your online ad can appear during the week prior to the sale day. Make your ad stand out by naming big items you’re selling, such as a dinette set or entertainment wall unit, along with things you have in quantity, such as books or clothes. If you have any popular or in-demand brand-name items, such as Banana Republic or Ethan Allen, be sure to mention those, too.

4. Look into buying or borrowing coat racks to hang any coats or higher-priced clothing

If you don’t have a coat rack, a clothesline will do. Other necessities include plastic bags, hangers, newspaper for wrapping breakables, a calculator, markers and pens. Have batteries on hand and an electrical outlet available where people can test machines to see if they work.

5. Plan your prices

Charging the right amount will help sell your stuff while still netting you a tidy profit.

Some guidelines:
• Books: 50¢ to $2
• Videos and CDs: $1 to $3
• Records: 50¢ to $2
• Board games: $1 t o $3
• Stuffed animals and dolls: $1 to $10
• Action figures: 50¢ to $1.50
• Electronics and video games: $1 to $15
• Glasses and cups: 25¢ to $1.50
• Plates: $1 to $2
• Pots and pans: $1 to $4

6. Decide how you’ll display your inventory

Long tables are best, especially for breakable items, but card tables, dressers and bookcases also work. So do large boxes covered with an attractive sheet or blanket. Line the driveway or lawn with big items such as TV sets, baby furniture and bicycles to attract passersby. Pedigo suggests keeping expensive items like video games or jewelry near you so you can keep an eye on them.

7. On the day of the sale, avoid catering to people who show up early

— it’s not fair to the customers who appear at the designated time. If people haggle on prices, you can lower the price, but ultimately go with your gut. “If it’s something you care about or if you know you can get the price you’re asking, don’t budge. You’re not going to have a big-money garage sale if you’re too easy-going,” says Pedigo. If the item doesn’t sell, avoid bringing it back into the house. Instead, consider donating it — baby clothes and cribs are definitely welcome at women’s and homeless shelters. When the sale is over, remove the signs so you don’t get any latecomers.

Customer Etiquette

If you're the one doing the browsing, be sure to be on your best shopping behavior:

• Pay with smaller bills or with coins, especially if you’re one of the first customers. The seller might not have adequate change for anything more than $20.

• Park on the side of the street, as close to the sale as possible. Avoid parking on someone’s lawn or blocking a driveway.

• Bargain nicely. If you think the seller is asking too much, politely ask if she’ll reconsider the price by saying something like, “Would you be willing to go down a bit on this item?” If the seller doesn’t want to take less money for the item, don’t push it. “They want to make money, and the item may be something meaningful and sentimental,” says garage-sale expert Cathy Pedigo.

• Handle items carefully and take time to put them back the way they were displayed.

• Leave a small deposit if there’s an item you must have but can’t take with you at the moment.

• Keep an eye on small children, especially around fragile items. Remember, if they break that Elvis dish, you buy it!

Next page: A countdown checklist to sale day