The Classified Section is Coming

I guess I've been busy. I had planned to keep a log here, but I've been so pre-occupied with getting the classified section ready to go.

I'm super excited. It's been my dream to get this website up and running and slowly, but surely, I'm getting there.

I think I've found the perfect software to use for my classified section...Hey! Why rebuild something, if it's already available and affordable.


The new classified section of GarageSaleSopper.com will be called "Community Classified Ads" due to the fact that the ads will be arranged by communities/cities.

I figured that if I wanted to look at on-line classified ads, I'd rather look at ads for items which were close by - so that I could save on shipping and delivery costs.

Here is a list of the key features for "Community Classified Ads":

• Auto Notify - allows users to predefine searches for ads which meet specific criteria. When new ads are posted or activated, if you have pre-defined searches that match the new ads, you will be sent an e-mail notification.
• Personal Quick Links - provide easy and quick access to ads that you are interested in reviewing and keeping track of.
• Keyword and Advanced Searches - will allow you to search the entire database or look for ads in specific categories which meet your specified criteria.
• Send to A Friend - allows you to send ad details to anyone you wish to share the ad with.
• Private Email Reply To Ad - allows you to receive replies to the ads you post without revealing your e-mail address to the viewer (unless you decide to do so).
• Number of Ads Count - Similar to the way you know which cities have garage sales posted at GarageSaleShopper.com, the number of ads in each community will be posted so that you don't have to make guesses and spend time browsing categories that don't have ads available.
• NO LIMITS - there will be not limits on the number of ads you can post at "Community Classified Ads".
• "Super Sellers" - These sellers will have access to post as many classified ads (ALL) with PHOTO UPLOADS for an entire month for less than the cost of placing 1 (one) single ad in the local paper.
• PHOTO UPLOADS - All "Super Sellers" will be allowed to upload photos for any listings they choose, so that our "Super Shoppers" can see exactly what they are looking to purchase.

I'll be sure to send you all an e-mail when these new and exciting features become available.

I'm Back

Last week I decided that it was time to start garage sale shopping again after a long summer of withdrawal. It was raining so I decided to just visit 1 sale. Luckily I didn't have to go far and I found 6 pairs of shorts and 6 pairs of pants for my son in great condition and they were the most popular brands. I got it all for $10. Thanks and many blessings to the lady who sold the items to me.

Today for $15 I purchased 2 dresses, 2 tops, 1 sweater and a pair of jeans for my 8 year old daughter. I got a badmitton set (no net) and an electronic "Sit and Spin" for a friend's toddler son. But the most impressive was the NEW Rival icream maker. The kids are begging me right now to eat some that we just finished making.

I love garage sales. Check out my website at http://www.garagesaleshopper.com.

A Garage Sale Shopper Blog

Today was a good garage sale day!

I got the kids up early and went on our way. I didn't tell them I was going garage sale shopping...they only knew that I had an important errand.

Anyway, here is a list of some things we found:
(1) Guinea Pig Care Book and Igloo House - 25 cents
(2) Life Jacket (like new condition) - $1
(3) Toaster Over (New in Box) - $5
(4) Perfection Game (My 4-yr-old was desperately seeking this toy, Retails for $17+, this was our 3rd week searching) - $1
(5) Decorative Flower Clock for daughter's room - 50 cents
(6) V-tech Ultra Girl PC - $5
(7) Levi's Boys Size 12 Jeans - 50 cents

I saw many other good bargains. I passed out some GaragSaleShopper.com cards too.

ANY Garage Sale Shoppers out there?

HEY, ALL YOU GARAGE SALE SHOPPERS OUT THERE!

I need feedback for my website. Is it too boring? Does it need more features? Is it easy to navigate?

I haven't been able to promote the website like I want. If you've been keeping up, you know that I have three children...and for some reason they aren't as excited as I am about going to garage sales?

I was thinking about hiring someone to sit with them on Fridays so that I can go have some fun, but that would really dip into my shopping money.

Oh, well. It's already Tuesday and I haven't sent out any business cards to any of those who are scheduled to have garage sales this weekend. My hope is that I can encourage some to post the details about their garage sales by making personal contact prior to their event.

I'll at least send out 10 tomorrow to see what response I get.

Hey you garage sale shoppers out there. Please visit the site and send some feedback. Thanks.

New Website Coming Soon

I'm working on a new website that hopefully will start pretty soon. It's main target is mothers, being a mother of 3 myself. It is sort of a spin-off from GarageSaleShopper. Again, I have so many ideas.

Also, I'm going to add a new link to my website today. Prompting visitors to give me their input. If you are reading this and want to give me input, please send to a-garage-sale@sbcglobal.net.

Otherwise, please visit the website: www.garagesaleshopper.com.

Thank you.

I went garage sale shopping today ...

I finally went out garage sale shopping today after being on a hiatus for a couple of months while I was developing the website. Even though there is so much to do, I finally feel confident to show others what's out there. I really think it would be a helpful tool. I think us garage sale shoppers would benefit greatly by having a listing what's where? Or would that take the fun out of searching? I think I'll start a poll with that last question.

Today I bought:

1 - a fireplace screen for $8 - I've lived in my home for 10 years without one, so it's about time.

2 - a Thomas Kincaid Notebook/Journal/Pen set for $3. I will be taking the one 10 card/envelope set I bought at Wal-Mart for $3 back for a return.

3 - a ceiling fan light fixture for $3 - I will only be using the "more modern" light shades to update my current ones

4 - a mini trampoline for $5 - This is for a friend; I purchased one for myself at a garage sale about a year ago

5 - six uniform shirts for my son for $3 - Now I'm already half-way prepared for school to start, since I also purchased

6 - a winter jacket for one of my kids;

7 - AND a few miscellaneous things.

The Start of a Garage Sale Shopper's Journal

I've decided to make this blog my journal for GarageSaleShopper.com activities.

I really need to get this website up and running. I have so many ideas, but I don't have the time to implement it. Once I get all the meals cooked, the laundry completed and chores ... I have to steal two hours from my sleep if I want to get some work done on the website.

So, I have about 25 garage sales to visit in the morning (6/9/2006)...and another 25 will be starting on 6/10/2006. I'm planning on handing out some business cards that I got (250 for just $5.21). I was thinking about calling some of the owners who are giving the sales to prompt them to place their descriptions on-line at the website, but I don't have much of a backboe. I fear marketing! I think this is why I'm only looking at this as being my hobby. Although, I have many great ideas that could possibly turn the website into something big - I would need someone else to implement them.

In Pearland, where I live, the sales are posted because we have to purchase permits that cost $15. That's a lot of money for a garage sale shopper! I can have a really satisfying day out shopping with just $15. I guess that's what got me started garage sale shopping - I'm SUPER frugal.

BUT, guess what? I've decided to invest $10 per month into a contest as an incentive for those having garage sales to post their information to my website? What do you all think? (Please comment.)

So, check out the website, http://www.GarageSaleShopper.com, and send me some suggestions. THANKS!

Garage Sale Shopping - I love it!

Background Information: I had much experience with databases, so I began thinking of most useful ways for utilizing databases via the internet. The idea originated in 1998, but wasn't published until 2001 when I had finally taught myself how to use FrontPage and a few other web publishing tools.

But truly, my love of garage sales pushed me to go ahead with my idea. I just simply love garage sales. It's fun and it's exciting when you find just what you were looking for....I practically dress, entertain and educate my kids with great garage sale and other low bargain finds.

My vision: I want to make my website the most useful garage sale shopping information source on-line. The garage sale shopping tools will always be free and there will never be any advertisement pop-ups.