Surprising lessons I learned from a garage sale
Last weekend, we took the plunge and had a garage sale. I have to be honest, the idea of sorting through piles of items, pricing them, setting everything out, and then haggling with buyers over small amounts of money seemed like absolute torture, and honestly, a little violating. There is something about strangers sorting through your once-prized-possessions that feels a little unsettling, but we had some great stuff, and the idea of managing 100 individual Marketplace posts felt even more tedious. On the other hand, past garage sale attempts had barely netted us $200, which definitely left me feeling skeptical about whether it would be worth the effort. But, nevertheless, we did it, and I’m thrilled to share that the experience was a huge success, AND it was a series of lessons in business that really got me thinking.
Here is the first of the 11 lessons I learned in this experience:
lesson 1: Have Something Worth Selling
We raked in over $1,000 in this sale even though I was bracing for a repeat of the past. As we were donating our leftovers, a volunteer remarked on our impressive sales figures compared to others that had only made around $150. His comment, “You must have had some good stuff,” got me thinking.
What made our garage sale stand out? It wasn’t just about having a lot of stuff (although, we did). It was about having the right stuff. Instead of the usual collection of worn-out clothes and random trinkets, we offered valuable baby items, high-quality furniture, relevant tech gear, and a few antiques. This made all the difference.
The same principle applies to your business. If you want to be successful, you have to offer something truly valuable. Here’s how to make sure what you’re selling is worth it:
Identify What People Need: Start by asking yourself what your target audience actually needs. Is your product or service solving a real problem for them? If you’re not meeting a genuine need, it’s time to reassess.
Focus on Value Over Price: Just like we priced our items based on their quality and market value, ensure your offerings are priced according to the value they provide. Price your product/services accordingly and communicate that value clearly.
Ensure Quality and Condition: No one wants to buy items that are in poor condition or outdated. Make sure what you’re offering is relevant and meets high standards. High-quality products and services lead to higher customer satisfaction and repeat business.
Highlight Benefits: Show how your offering is beneficial. In our case, valuable baby items and tech gear were not just about having things to sell—they were about providing useful and desired items at a low price. Similarly, ensure your product or service delivers real benefits and enhances the lives of your customers.
In business, offering something truly valuable isn’t just a strategy—it’s a necessity. If people see that what you’re offering is high quality, relevant, and beneficial, they’re more likely to pay actual money to work with you or buy from you.
So, ask yourself: Are you providing something worth selling?