"Garage Sale" vs. "Moving Sale"

KelR1 · 07-12-2008, 12:28 PM

As you may have surmised from the title of this thread, I am about to have a sale. I'm wondering if the semantics make a difference. It IS a moving sale since I will be moving (and I'm getting rid of A LOT of what I currently own like furniture, etc.), and it WILL be held in a garage, so I'm curious as to what you think: which would draw you in or which do you think would attract more potential customers? Garage Sale or Moving Sale?

SouthShoreGirl · 07-12-2008, 12:57 PM

Moving sale.

purplefdu · 07-13-2008, 02:36 PM

I find people think moving sales are cheaper, since normally people "have" to get rid of the stuff by the end of the sale or donate/throw it away since presumably they don't have room or don't want to pay to ship it. A garage sale is more about cleaning out space. I think a moving sale draws more people, but a garage sale might get you less cheapskates who don't want to pay for taking your stuff.

allcash · 07-17-2008, 02:05 PM

I'm in CA, and people here tend to refer to them as "Yard Sales." But I like "Moving Sale"--if I saw that, I'd assume that furniture/appliances/large items may be available (instead of random junk), and I'd be more likely to stop.

Megan · 07-18-2008, 08:01 AM

I hear "garage sale" and I think they'll be selling things like clothing that kids have grown out of, other small household items. I hear "moving sale" and I think furniture.

papa_justify · 07-18-2008, 10:14 PM

maybe you should cover both
so you could write "MOVING SALE!" in big letters and then "in my garage" in smaller letters under it

Myscha Theriault · 07-19-2008, 04:39 AM

I saw a Suze Ormon tip once where the person was downsizing to take care of debt and move at the same time. They set up the sale and called it an estate sale. I know usually we think of those as taking place when someone has died, but in this case the woman WAS downsizing her estate, so it was legitimate title. Plus, people expect there to be larger "moving sale" types of items there as well as expecting to pay a bit more.

Just a thought.

KelR1 · 07-19-2008, 01:13 PM

Good point, papa. That would indeed cover it all!

Interesting, Myscha. My only concern with calling it an estate sale is that I can just see all my neighbours rushing over to ask who died.

Myscha Theriault · 07-20-2008, 07:54 AM

Funny. Well, you could always put a regular "sale" sign up at the house so people who were driving there would know they were at the right place, and list it in the paper / Craig's list as the estate sale. Might cut down on the neighbors stopping by. I can see where that would be a problem. . .

shrimptastic · 07-20-2008, 02:11 PM

I've also heard them referred to as "downsizing sales" if that helps... It kind of gives the impression that the items will be "extras" instead of "garage junk".

07-12-2008, 12:28 PM	#1
KelR1 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 52 Reputation: (10)	"Garage Sale" vs. "Moving Sale" As you may have surmised from the title of this thread, I am about to have a sale. I'm wondering if the semantics make a difference. It IS a moving sale since I will be moving (and I'm getting rid of A LOT of what I currently own like furniture, etc.), and it WILL be held in a garage, so I'm curious as to what you think: which would draw you in or which do you think would attract more potential customers? Garage Sale or Moving Sale?

07-12-2008, 12:57 PM	#2
SouthShoreGirl Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 49 Reputation: (10)	Moving sale. __________________ http://longbeachbabe.blogspot.com/

07-13-2008, 02:36 PM	#3
purplefdu Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Eliot, ME USA Posts: 491 Reputation: (27)	I find people think moving sales are cheaper, since normally people "have" to get rid of the stuff by the end of the sale or donate/throw it away since presumably they don't have room or don't want to pay to ship it. A garage sale is more about cleaning out space. I think a moving sale draws more people, but a garage sale might get you less cheapskates who don't want to pay for taking your stuff. __________________ Homeward Bound Puppy Blog&Personal Blog best general coupon site & organic grocery coupon help

07-18-2008, 08:01 AM	#5
Megan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 306 Reputation: (63)	I hear "garage sale" and I think they'll be selling things like clothing that kids have grown out of, other small household items. I hear "moving sale" and I think furniture. __________________ Counting My Pennies

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-17-2008, 02:05 PM	#4
allcash Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7 Reputation: (10)	I'm in CA, and people here tend to refer to them as "Yard Sales." But I like "Moving Sale"--if I saw that, I'd assume that furniture/appliances/large items may be available (instead of random junk), and I'd be more likely to stop.

07-18-2008, 10:14 PM	#6
papa_justify Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 4 Reputation: (10)	maybe you should cover both so you could write "MOVING SALE!" in big letters and then "in my garage" in smaller letters under it

07-19-2008, 04:39 AM	#7
Myscha Theriault Wise Bread Blogger Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 52 Reputation: (15)	I saw a Suze Ormon tip once where the person was downsizing to take care of debt and move at the same time. They set up the sale and called it an estate sale. I know usually we think of those as taking place when someone has died, but in this case the woman WAS downsizing her estate, so it was legitimate title. Plus, people expect there to be larger "moving sale" types of items there as well as expecting to pay a bit more. Just a thought.

07-19-2008, 01:13 PM	#8
KelR1 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 52 Reputation: (10)	Good point, papa. That would indeed cover it all! Interesting, Myscha. My only concern with calling it an estate sale is that I can just see all my neighbours rushing over to ask who died.

07-20-2008, 07:54 AM	#9
Myscha Theriault Wise Bread Blogger Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 52 Reputation: (15)	Funny. Well, you could always put a regular "sale" sign up at the house so people who were driving there would know they were at the right place, and list it in the paper / Craig's list as the estate sale. Might cut down on the neighbors stopping by. I can see where that would be a problem. . .

07-20-2008, 02:11 PM	#10
shrimptastic Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 8 Reputation: (10)	I've also heard them referred to as "downsizing sales" if that helps... It kind of gives the impression that the items will be "extras" instead of "garage junk".

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The "Say HI!" thread: How did you find Wise Bread?	Greg	General Discussion	178	Yesterday 07:16 AM
Is "Simple Living" Just Another Term for "Giving Up"?	indieretailer	Frugal Living	30	09-21-2008 07:46 AM
Win a free copy of "The Drunkard's Walk"	Will	Personal Finance	80	07-01-2008 03:34 AM
Slim Fast "Fashion Rewards"	dapooh1	Deals & Coupons	0	03-02-2008 10:27 AM
Anyone think the raise in the "conforming" loan limit is a bad idea?	Xin Lu	Personal Finance	2	02-09-2008 11:58 AM