DEAR HELOISE: Two weekends ago, I went to a garage sale, and the lady who had items for sale didn't have a price on anything. When I asked her how much she was asking for a couple of nightstands, she said, "Make me an offer." I did, and she flew into a rage because she felt that the offer was insultingly low.
I have a few hints on the do's and don'ts of garage sales that might avoid anger and confusion for both the seller and the customer:
Have a price sticker on everything you're selling. The "make me an offer" approach usually makes people decide to walk away.
Be willing to negotiate on some things. After all, if it was an item that you really loved, you probably wouldn't have put it in a garage sale.
Make sure that everything is clean and well-displayed. You can make a table out of a long, flat board that rests on empty boxes. Just place a sheet or tablecloth over the board. The nicer it looks, the faster it sells.
Organize things such as kitchen items in one area, clothing in another, furniture in another, and so on. Make it easy for customers to navigate your sale.
Have one person who takes in the cash. They should never leave the cashbox unattended. Start with about 20 $1 bills and some change. Have a sign up that says, "We won't take bills larger than $20."
Don't let people inside your home to use the restroom or try on clothing.
Have a sign that says, "All sales are final. No refunds, exchanges or returns."
If your city requires a permit to have a garage sale, make sure you get one. The price for a permit is usually cheaper than getting fined.
-- Gloria F.,
Deltona, Fla.
DEAR HELOISE: What is the difference between raisins and currents? I've been under the impression that both are simply dried grapes.
-- Juliette L., via email
DEAR JULIETTE: They are both grapes, so you're correct about that point. However, raisins are generally softer, sweeter and occasionally juicier than currents. Currents have a stronger sweet and tangy flavor, and they are a little smaller than raisins. Modern recipes tend to use raisins more often than currents.
DEAR HELOISE: Thanks for all the hints that make our daily lives easier and more fun! For a delicious change-up when making French toast, substitute the usual bread for toaster waffles.
-- C.J., via email
Send a money- or time-saving hint to