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Akron Beacon Journal (MCT) - The Dawson family's annual garage sale isn't just a money-making opportunity. It's an event.

Every year, the family gives over its Tallmadge, Ohio, garage and driveway to its annual sale, a combination thrift shop, family reunion and neighborhood gathering. The Dawsons were at it again last week, purging their unwanted things and those of their friends in a three-day bargain-hunters' bash.

It's a ritual Barb Dawson looks forward to, a chance for the family members to spend uninterrupted time together, catch up with neighbors and chat with the mostly friendly strangers who stop by. ''This kind of forces us to slow down and enjoy each other's company,'' she said.

And if they make a few bucks in the process, so much the better.

We visited the Dawsons' garage sale to pick up some pointers for others interested in making a little money while unloading their excess. Other ideas came from Randy Lyman, who wrote "Garage Sale Gourmet" with his sister, Anita Chagaris; Chris Heiska, who runs the Web site YardSaleQueen.com; the video "Garage Sale Succe$$"; and the books "Garage Sale Magic!" by Michael and Pam Williams, "How to Have High Dollar Garage Sales" by Jean Hines and 'The Garage Sale Handbook" by Peggy Hitchcock.

SET THE DATE

Timing can affect a sale's success. The Dawsons, who have kept records of their sales since 1997, have found they do better in March or April than in the summer. The competition is less then, and ''I think a lot of people are excited about getting out and starting to garage sale for the year,'' Barb Dawson said.

They've also found that Wednesdays and Thursdays draw the biggest crowds. Juanita Dawson, Barb Dawson's mother-in-law and garage-sale cohort, thinks that's because people have more family responsibilities and other things to do on weekends.

Check community calendars for events that might keep people from your sale _ or conversely, draw people to your area. It's also a good idea to check whether your community requires permits or has sign restrictions or other regulations.

Many people are paid on the first or 15th of the month, so you might consider holding your sale just after one of these dates.

RECRUIT

Bigger sales attract bigger crowds, so offer to sell your friends' and neighbors' stuff. The Dawsons have had as many as five families involved in their sale.

Each seller prices his or her own items and initials the price stickers, so the Dawsons can keep track of everyone's sales in a ledger. The family also checks with the sellers in advance about whether haggling is OK.

Recruit several helpers, so plenty of people are around to greet customers, answer questions, straighten merchandise and make sales _ and, of course, to make the event fun. At the Dawsons' sale, Barb and Juanita Dawson had help from Barb's children, Rachel Dawson, Jacob Dawson and Julie Bozic, as well as Julie's husband, Adam Bozic.

ADVERTISE

Advertise in the local publication where you see the most garage sale ads, because you can bet that's the one avid buyers check. Include the days, times and location, along with directions if the house is hard to find. Highlight items that appeal to a range of buyers _ men, women, older people, kids.

Don't forget to advertise in free places such as the Internet site Craigslist and bulletin boards in libraries, community centers, grocery stores and the like. (Be sure to ask first.) And take Barb Dawson's advice: Tell everyone you know about your sale.

The evening before the sale or early that morning, post signs at the end of your street and on busy streets and intersections within several blocks of your home. Post one in front of your house, too, and maybe attach balloons. The Dawsons put their sign atop the pillar that holds their mailbox _ a simple cardboard tent with flanges that could be weighted with beanbags.

Signs should be simple, done in bold, black letters on a white or goldenrod background. Keep information to a minimum so passers-by can read it at a glance: ''Garage Sale,'' maybe the address or the times and dates, and a big, bold arrow pointing the way.

Make sure the signs are sturdy, and don't attach them to utility poles. A poster attached to a weighted box will work just fine. So will a paper bag with the words ''Garage Sale'' written on it, weighted and stapled shut.

PREPARE

Juanita Dawson, an avid garage-sale shopper, dislikes sales with dirty merchandise, so she knows the importance of making sure everything is clean. Give yourself time before the sale to clean the garage, launder clothes (use fabric softener so they smell fresh) and get other items in top condition.

Make sure the sale area is safe, too, with no loose cords or sharp objects within reach. Repair electrical items if you can, which makes them more appealing to customers and allows you to charge more. If you can't fix them, mark them as broken.

Keep in mind that most shoppers are looking ...