If you check out the word “garage” in the dictionary it will probably say something like “indoor space or building designed for the storage, parking and keeping of a motor vehicle” but the truth is that most garages are so packed with junk these days that there’s simply not enough room to park the car.

Holding a garage sale can be a great way to clear out excess junk and make a little pocket money on the side – some people are addicted to them and spend every Saturday morning prowling the area looking for a garage sale to pick up some bargains.

These expert tips can help you to get the most from your garage sale trail:

• Find a good route in search garage sales. The sales in the more affluent areas of your neighborhood are likely to have items for sale of a much better quality. Don’t just drive around in all directions, determine your best route and stick to it each week.
• Some people really don’t know what to charge for items at their garage sales but have a price in mind and stick to it. You can find great bargains at some sales and you can find items which are way overpriced at others. If you can spot the difference between the two you’re on to a winner.

• Write a list of the things which you want but don’t mind waiting for. You may be in need of a specific piece of gardening or kitchen equipment – stuff that you know you can manage without until you find a real bargain.
• If you drive an expensive car either park around the corner or take the bus. If you turn up at a garage sale in an expensive motor dripping in jewelry and fur then people will automatically expect you to afford to pay a little more and won’t take notice of your negotiating skills, however fine tuned they may be.
• Keep an eye out for items which you don’t particularly want or need but are great bargains with good re-sale value. You can always hold a garage sale of your own and add it in to make a profit or even start something like an eBay account.
Holding your own garage sale can help you to turn that clutter into some much needed cash.
• Advertise your garage sale in good time – post flyers in school notice boards, local shop windows, community boards etc.

• If you don’t have enough stuff for your own sale don’t be afraid to ask your neighbors if they have any clutter to sell.
• Smile at your customers, and potential customers. Good service cannot be beaten.
• Have plenty of change available. There’s nothing worse than somebody trying to pay for a 50 cent item with a ten dollar bill and nobody having any change – you’ll probably lose the sale.

There are a couple of good reasons to keep your car in the garage:

• It helps to keep it safe from accidental damage or theft which can occur when cars are left parked on the street.
• It helps to protect your car from the weather and therefore to maintain a good condition for longer.
• It can reduce car insurance premiums (an extension of the first point).

There are some fabulous motors for sale at Claremont Ford which really do deserve to be parked in the safety of a garage so think about organizing your own garage sale to make a little space. Check out the website at fairviewford.com and see for yourself.