Tips for protecting your cash
You are probably not holding a garage sale just for the fun of it. Yes, garage sales have their fun sides, but you are probably having one to get rid of clutter and make a bit of cash at the same time. So you need to protect your cash.
- Don’t have a cash box that can be reached easily by your customers. Sneaky people will help themselves while you’re looking elsewhere. Keep your money in a carpenter’s apron or a fanny pack – or even cargo pants, if you’re desperate.
- Some buyers will wait until you’re distracted to switch price tags. The best way to avoid this is to make sure that you have plenty of helpers – and prime them up that con artists are about.
- Some con artists will fluster you by asking for change for a $100 note. Be prepared for this and you won’t be flustered. The more “sorted” your cash float is (this is why a carpenter’s apron with lots of pockets is ideal), the less flustered you are likely to get, and you have less chance of making a mistake.
- Don’t drop the price just because you think someone is hard up and you only think this because of their appearance or means of transport. They could be putting on an act to play on your sympathy and score a massive discount. It happens. Haggle, yes, but don’t be foolishly kind.
If things get really nasty (e.g. someone who gets threatening or angry and starts smashing stuff – it happens!) then have a cellphone on hand to call the police. Never run a garage sale alone – have backup handy. Large, hefty blokes make people less likely to get nasty.