Tag sales. Yard sales. Garage sales. No matter what you call them, they are sure-fire money-makers. You know how they work: people drag their unwanted clothing, trinkets, and doodads out into the garage or yard, slap some price tags on them and invite strangers over to browse and buy. I’m sure you know you can sell your own stuff for some quick cash, but did you know that you can turn this idea into a career, and start a tag sale business?

What do you need to start a tag sale business? That depends on how professional you want to look at the beginning. For $100 or less, you can start your own tag sale business with price tags, bins and/or shelves, saw horses and plywood. You can eventually work your way up to having a business phone line, business cards, large folding tables, a cash register, and (if you dream big) employees to do most of the grunt work for you.

What is involved when you start your own tag sale business? Initially, you start by word of mouth, or with inexpensive advertising, alerting people to your business. Some people don’t have the time or desire to have their own garage sale, but they want to get rid of the clutter and earn some money. That’s where a tag sale business owner comes in. Once the clients find you and ask about your services, draw up a simple contract telling them what your fees are (these are generally 25% for larger tag sales with high-priced items and brand name clothes to 50% for smaller sales with less expensive items). What services you provide is up to you.

Some services to consider:

• You can have the client stack things in one corner of the garage, and you price the items and set up for the sale (this is the most basic of services for a tag sale business)
• You can provide the set up bins, shelves, and tables (or choose to have them provide them)
• You advertise the sale (this is basic)
• Decide if you want to purchase necessary city permits, or have the home owner do it
• Decide if you will include boxing up the left over items as part of your service, or have the home owner do it themselves.
• Create signage to draw customers to the sale (Check local laws! In my town, we can only use the signs that the city provides, and we are limited to only 3 signs per tag sale permit. Then we have to take down signs within 2 days or receive a citation.)

If you live in an area without many homes (such as rural or urban areas), consider branching out into nearby suburbs in order to expand your tag sale business (and your bank account).

If you want to learn more, read this Complete Guide to Making Big Money from Garage Sales.