What you need for a community garage sale

A community garage sale needs more than tables and items to sell. You also need a clear way to display prices, take cash and card payments, keep walkways open, and provide drinks for volunteers and shoppers. This shopping list covers the equipment and supplies that are easy to overlook, especially power, lighting, change, transport and cleanup. Check quantities against the number of sellers, stalls and opening hours before you shop.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 20
Clothes racksqty 4
Storage cratesqty 30
Transport cartsqty 3
Party tentsqty 2

Equipment

Cash registersqty 2
Card machinesqty 2
Power banksqty 3
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Outdoor lightsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 50
Coffee mugsqty 30
Water jugsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Hot platesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Pliersqty 4

Decorations

Price sign holdersqty 30
Directional signsqty 12
Directional signsqty 10
Barrier tapeqty 2
Cable tiesqty 100

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broomsqty 3
Dustpansqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Hand sanitizerqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Still mineral water - 8 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 4 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Lemon juice - 1 bottle
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Paper napkins - 6 packs
- Paper cups - 150 pieces
- Cardboard plates - 100 pieces
- Wooden spoons - 150 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 packs
- Apple pie - 3 pieces
- Filled cookies - 3 packs
- Stroopwafels - 4 packs
- Cookie assortment - 4 packs
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Snack mix - 3 bags
- Peanuts - 2 bags
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Bananas - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 2 packs
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Aluminum foil - 1 roll
- Cling film - 1 roll

Tips

Allow at least one sales table per participant, then add one or two spare tables for shared items, drinks or overflow. Clothes racks and storage crates help keep merchandise off the floor and make browsing easier.
Prepare one cash point for every 20 to 30 sellers, with a card machine and enough change for common low-value purchases. Keep a separate cash box or register for each busy sales area if shoppers will pay in more than one place.
For an outdoor sale, plan one party tent for each exposed sales section and bring cable ties, barrier tape and directional signs. Set walkways at roughly 1 metre wide so people can move between stalls without blocking entrances.
Provide one drink station with a coffee machine, thermos flasks, mugs and water jugs for each 30 to 40 volunteers or expected shoppers at a time. Chill drinks before opening and bring reusable cups or enough mugs for quick turnover.
Test every card machine, extension cord, power strip and LED lamp before setup, ideally the day before. Pack power banks as backup and keep cables along edges or secured with cable ties to prevent trips.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a community garage sale?: Plan for tables, clothes racks, storage crates, price sign holders, directional signs, payment equipment, lighting, drinks supplies and cleaning tools. For a basic sale, allow one table per seller, one cash point per 20 to 30 sellers and one drink station per 30 to 40 people.
How many tables do I need for a community garage sale?: Start with one table per participant and add 10% to 20% extra if space allows. A sale with 25 sellers therefore needs about 28 to 30 tables, unless some sellers bring their own furniture.
How much change should I have for a garage sale?: Prepare enough small notes and coins to give change for the first 10 to 15 purchases at each cash point. For 20 to 30 sellers, use one cash register with a mixed float and confirm the amount with the organisers before opening.
When should I buy supplies for a community garage sale?: Buy reusable equipment and printed signs at least 7 days before the sale. Check payment devices, power supplies and lighting 1 day before, and chill drinks several hours before doors open.

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