A change in seasons is coming upon us. Kids are preparing to return to school, and work schedules are adjusting. The transition from summer to fall usually means it’s time to evaluate everything at home and in self-storage. With the winter holidays still to come, this is the time to clear the stuff you’re saving but likely will not keep.
From there, you have several options: junk it, donate it, or sell it. When the weather begins to cool, it’s a great time to hold a garage or yard sale. If you have one every one to two years, you not only make back some of the money you spent on the items you sell, but take some stress off your home and self-storage unit. It also clears up space if you want to move more items from your closets to your off-site space.
Once you’ve decided on a date and time to host your sale, next comes the question of what gets a price tag. “Big ticket” items, like gently used baby furniture and equipment and sporting goods, tend to sell well. Bargain hunters also look for collectible items like dolls and action figures, and everybody will browse through clothing if it looks new and fashionable. It may take you a while to go through everything you own as you decide what to put on the sale table, but keep these tips in mind:
- If you’re using your self-storage unit as a pre-staging area, arrange the items you intend to sell closer to the door. This saves you the trouble of moving boxes and bins around when you are ready to have your sale.
- Inspect every item you plan to sell to make sure they are in good condition. Check items with battery wells to make sure there is no corrosion. Test electronics to make sure they function properly. Look for tears and thin spots in clothing.
- When the day arrives to claim the sale objects from your unit, dress comfortably and observe safety procedures — lift with your knees and wear closed-toe shoes. Come to your unit the day prior, too, to give yourself time to collect everything without rushing and risking damage.
If you find your self-storage space doesn’t quite meet your current needs — if you need to upgrade to a larger unit or small — consider making a change, too. At Eden Way Storage Center, we are happy to accommodate our tenants with climate-controlled, clean units for personal storage. Contact us today to learn more about our available units and to inquire about our first month for $1 special.