HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR HELOISE: Two weekends ago, I went to a garage sale, and the lady who had items for sale didn’t have a price on anything. When I asked her how much she was asking for a couple of nightstands, she said, “Make me an offer.” I did, and she flew into a rage because she felt that the offer was insultingly low.

I have a few hints on the do’s and don’ts of garage sales that might avoid anger and confusion for both the seller and the customer: m Have a price sticker on everything you’re selling. The “make me an offer” approach usually makes people decide to walk away. m Be willing to negotiate on some things. After all, if it was an item that you really loved, you probably wouldn’t have put it in a garage sale. m Make sure that everything is clean and well-displayed. You can make a table out of a long, flat board that rests on empty boxes. Just place a sheet or tablecloth over the board. The nicer it looks, the faster it sells. m Organize things such as kitchen items in one area, clothing in another, furniture in another, and so on. Make it easy for customers to navigate your sale. m Have one person who takes in the cash. They should never leave the cashbox unattended. Start with about 20 $1 bills and some change. Have a sign up that says, “We won’t take bills larger than $20.” m Don’t let people inside your home to use the restroom or try on clothing. m Have a sign that says, “All sales are final. No refunds, exchanges or returns.” m If your city requires a permit to have a garage sale, make sure you get one. The price for a permit is usually cheaper than getting fined. — Gloria F., Deltona, Fla.

DEAR HELOISE: What is the difference between raisins and currents? I’ve been under the impression that both are simply dried grapes.

— Juliette L., via email DEAR JULIETTE: They are both grapes, so you’re correct about that point. However, raisins are generally softer, sweeter and occasionally juicier than currents. Currents have a stronger sweet and tangy flavor, and they are a little smaller than raisins. Modern recipes tend to use raisins more often than currents.

DEAR HELOISE: Thanks for all the hints that make our daily lives easier and more fun! For a delicious changeup when making French toast, substitute the usual bread for toaster waffles. — C.J., via email