CLEVELAND -- Garage sale signs are everywhere this time of year. But before you open your garage to peddle your plates and plants for pennies, know that you can get dollars instead with just a little more planning.

Laurie Couscak and her mother have been throwing a garage sale every year for the last ten years -- and they get rave reviews.

"(People say) that we're the biggest and the most organized garage sale that they've ever seen," Couscak said.

Organization can mean big bucks.

Couscak explained, "A lot of people don't have the time to search through boxes of stuff."

So Couscak had her baskets in a box, her clothes on hangers, and her trinkets displayed. In fact, she had everything for sale strategically placed and grouped with similar items.

"Its very important to display things properly and advertise properly," Melissa Rymer of GarageSaleCow.com said.

Rymer said Couscak had it laid out just right.

Rymer said, "People aren't going to dig through a bunch of boxes and you may actually lose sales if people aren't able to find them easily."

Garage Sale Cow is the largest garage sale website in the nation. It's free to post and free to search for sales in your area.

Rymer and their mascot made a stop in Northeast Ohio to show NewsChannel5 how to get the most treasure for your trash.

"Put all your nice stuff out front so when they drive by they'll see it," Rymer said.

Larger items -- like rocking chairs and tables -- belong in the driveway.

If you're selling electronics, no one will buy what they can't see working.

Rymer said, "Get an extension cord and have them either running or let them try them out before they by them."

Make sure all your items are cleaned, and priced. If the price isn't clearly displayed, shoppers like Marilynn Grimm will likely walk away.

Grimm explained, "I don't like that you have to go up and say how much is this, and then the seller knows you want it, so they pick the price."

And the easiest way to get the most money is by holding a garage sale with several people. More merchandise means more shoppers...and eventually means more money in everyone's pocket.

Also consider selling cold soda or snacks for 50-cents. It's another way to make money on a hot day.

And most importantly, make sure you have easy to read signs with clear directions. No one will stop if they can't find you.

Related Link:
GarageSaleCow.com

Tips For Hosting A Garage Sale:
• Check the weather forecast
• Consider holding a garage sale jointly with one or a few neighbors. Bigger sales will net a bigger turnout.
• Garage sales will only be as good as your signs. They are important because people are trying to attend as many sales as they can. If it is hard to read or see you will be passed by.
• Post garage sale signs at strategic locations in your neighborhood.
• Remove your signs when the sale is over. **Very important**
• Pre-clean your merchandise.
• Setup your sale like a showroom.
• Big items in the driveway are going to draw people in.
• Have electronics in the back of the sale and have them up and running so buyers know they work.
• Try to place all items at hand reachable levels, at table height.
• Display all similar items together. For example, place all kitchenware together.
• Have a box of toys around so children can play while parents shop.
• Have everything priced. If you wish you can post a sign stating that prices are negotiable, but marking prices gives potential buyers a starting point.
• Never ever put masking tape on wood furniture. When masking tape comes off the wood the glue will not always.
• Have clothes arranged by gender and size.
• Wear your money on you.
• If it is hot have soda or water for sale. In the morning have coffee and donuts.
• Consider providing a box marked "FREE" for items you'd like to give away. It's an easy way to lighten up your garage sale atmosphere and often enhance sales.

Tips For Shopping At Garage Sales:
• Put together your wants and needs list.
• Plot out your course by geographic locations.
• Keep an extension cord in the car to test electronics, appliances, etc.
• Carry a magnifying glass.
• Carry a tape measure.
• Wear your money on you instead of bringing a purse.
• Go with smaller bills and change to make it easy.
• Have a list with measurements of items needed or spaces in home.
• If you don't have a tape measure, keep in mind that a $1 bill is six inches long.
• If you agree to buy an item and you have to leave and come back, take a drawer or cushion from the item with you and leave a deposit so someone cannot buy the item from under you.