Garage sale signs for the street that pull in the crowds - 2 of 3

Use Google's image search for garage sale sign design ideas

Search for "garage sale sign", "yard sale sign", "tag sale sign", etc.

Gain attention by making your garage sale sign like a life-size cutout of a person holding your sign

These always get attention when tied securely to a street pole. Include a balloon or two for some extra attention-getting decorations. Use clipart for ideas. Here are some examples:

On your main street signs:

• Have the words GARAGE SALE or YARD SALE and an arrow pointing in the appropriate direction.
• Include your street name and the day & time of your garage sale.

  

• If you are using identifiable, attention-getting decorations, your main yard sale signs should also have the word "Follow the balloons", or "Follow the yellow ribbons" or "Follow the pink signs".
• Some people say to include your cell/mobile phone number on the main signs so people can ring you for directions or to check if it is worth coming but you will probably find yourself too busy to answer the phone and this could be a security risk.
• Use abbreviations (SAT, SUN, etc.) for the day(s).
• Use 8am, 4pm, etc. for the times.
• For multi-day yard sales, say SAT - SUN 8am - 4pm
• If you're having a late 'lunch time' start for your yard sale, make sure you highlight that so people don't think that they'll just get left-overs if they come in the afternoon.

Advertising in a multi-cultural neighborhood

If you are in a multi-cultural neighborhood then consider including non-english signs too.

Secure your specially made bought yard sale signs

If you buy specially made yard sale signs there's a good chance they will be stolen by the end of the day unless you can secure them to a street sign, power pole or lamp post.

Try to prevent people removing your yard sale signs

Write on the bottom of your sign in small letters something like, "This sign will be removed on or before the evening of (insert the last day of your yard sale)". This may appease the authorities and also the owner of the property that you have placed your sign in front of.

Never staple or hammer signs to trees or street poles

Never attach a sign to a public street pole as this is against the law in most states. Nails or staples can damage safety equipment such as gloves and harnesses not to mention hands, arms and legs.

Car signs

• Consider making a BIG yard sale sign for the front and back windows of your car and then park your car out the front of your house or across the other side of the street if your neighbor doesn't mind. People can then see where the yard sale is from down the end of your street. Having a car out the front also makes the street less deserted. People might think that if there aren't any cars then it can't be a very good yard sale.
• Stick it to the man! Car signs are good when you aren't allowed to put up signs on the street. Park you car, legally, on the main street and include your address and directions on the sign. If you are able to borrow more than one car then park these strategically at other main intersections.

Gain the attention of people who may not drive past your yard sale signs on the day

• Leave up a "Garage Sale on Saturday" sign during the week or put up a "Garage Sale Tomorrow" sign on the day before on main roads to gain the attention of people driving by who may not necessarily drive past on the day. Check with your local authorities if this is allowed.
• Try the ol' "Burma-Shave" technique (Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burma-Shave for more information). Make 3 - 5 small signs each with one line of an amusing limerick or verse about your up-coming garage sale and place them along a busy road about 200 yards apart so drivers have time to read each sign as they drive past. Check with your local authorities if this is allowed.

When to put out your street signs on the morning?

Put out your street signs only AFTER you have all your items out on the morning of your yard sale and you are ready to go. If you put the signs out before you are set up, you won't be ready for the early birds and opening rush.

A tip for when putting your yard sale signs out the night before

If you want to spend time setting up your yard sale signs the night before your yard sale but don't want to include your address on the signs to stop early birds finding your house - just leave a space on the sign for the address and have your address written or printed on suitably sized pieces of paper. Then in the morning while you check your signs, you just need to go around and tape the address on each sign.

Check your yard sale signs during the day

Have a helper check your signs during the day. They may have blown over or been removed or replaced by someone else's garage sale signs.

Don't do this

I have read some people suggesting "You can even employ your children to walk up and down a main thoroughfare advertising the event, carrying a placard much as they would for a political candidate or if they were on strike. The more noticeable the advertisement, the more likely you'll draw the curious."

It's not worth the risk and your kids are more useful at the sale helping you and learning how to interact with adults in a supervised setting.