The Grand Daddy of them all:

"Garage Sale Warrensburg"

When is it? September 30 and October 1, 2006

Congratulations to Garage Sale Warrensburg, NY for taking the community- wide garage sale concept and raising it to the level of fine art. Established in 1979,this community wide garage sale is one of the grand daddies of all community-wide sales and has served as an inspiration to communities across the country to join the bandwagon. It also helped inspire this garage sale book.

Bragging Rights To Garage Sale Warrensburg

Sure, other communities make the world's largest claim, but adding the heart of this community to the formula, they remain number 1! Every fall the weekend just before Columbus Day, this hamlet of 5,000 people swells to over 75,000! Like lemmings on a mission, shoppers descend on Garage Sale Warrensburg for one of the most exciting sales in the world.

You Want It, They Got IT!

Seek and ye shall find, seems to be the unofficial motto of Garage Sale Warrensburg. With over 1,000 vendors, there is sure to be something to tickle the fancy of the most discriminating collector and hobbyist. Antiques, junk, jewelry, tee-shirts, crafts, tools, bottles, knives, and the list goes on and on. Hey, what about a sausage smothered in onions? Yeah, they got that!

Motivated To Buy Most people buy items for their own personal use, but a growing number buy to re-sell in shops, flea markets, and that great selling place in the sky called Ebay. In fact, because of the country's infatuation with Ebay, more people attend community wide garage sales. To understand this Ebay connection to Garage Sale Warrensburg see the Ebay Auction Commando

Chamber Of Commerce the Moving Force

A project like Garage Sale Warrensburg requires a dedicated force, and in this community it's the Local Chamber of Commerce spearheaded by president Garry Grant. A series of meetings held throughout the year prepares the way for the next event.

A few of the topics for Garry and his committee include:

. How many portable out-houses need to be ordered

. How much to charge vendors for rented spaces

. What to put in the community-wide sales packet

. Where will they place vendors

. What rules should be in place

. How many shuttle busses will they need

. Who will man the first aid station

. What needs to be done for security and traffic control

. Where will the multitudes park their cars

. What special events will be offered

. Who will be in charge of getting volunteers

. How will they grid the vending locations

. Where will trash be collected

Chamber's Biggest Money Maker

Make no mistake, the Garage Sale Warrensburg rakes in a pile of cash for its organizers. With the Herculean amount of work they put into it, the local Chamber earns every cent. The cash is raised primarily by renting vendor spaces along the streets, on community owned lots like the library, and on donated lots from local businesses. A vendor will pay a fee of $125.00 for a 12 ft by 12 ft space and $375.00 for a 12 ft by 18 ft space.

Big Expenses at the World's Biggest Garage Sale

Before you think it's all profit, the portable toilet bill alone runs over $4,000! Even though there is a hugh crew of volunteers, there are many other expenses that can add up fast. The trash disposal and the "free shuttle buses" are also major expenses at over $4,000 each. After subtracting the expenses, there is enough left over to fund many of the Chamber's projects.

Huge Impact On Area

The economic impact of garage sale Warrensburg is huge as hotels and motels are bursting at the seams for miles around. RV's line area roads and public camp sites are filled to capacity. Diners, restaurants, and other businesses all hear the familiar ka-ching of busy cash registers from the hords of garage sale fans. The residents of the community make a fine pay day too as they set up tables on their own property with items from A to Z.

Most community wide garage sales request that each participant pay a small fee to help defray the cost of advertising and other expenses. A packet of goodies is then given to the official registrant, with a sign declaring that they support the "community-wide sale." This approach encourages citizens to participate. So far, Garage Sale Warrensburg has not charged its participants, but this may change in the future.

Many work at home moms enjoy the garage sale concept because it is a great home business.  Many moms attend the community wide garage sale opportunities and then become an Ebay Auction Commando this is a winning combination.

Check this out:Garage Sale Success