Garage sale trail is a win-win situation for sellers and bargain hunters

Sellers across the ACT registered their venues on the official national website and listed some of the most tempting goods they had to offer, making it easy for buyers to plan their shopping routes.

Many of the informal traders did business in their own yards, in the style of the traditional garage sale.

Others took advantage of group enterprises, such as the North Belconnen Giant Community Garage Sale, held on the grounds of the North Belconnen Baptist Church.

Just over 60 stallholders paid to be part of the fundraising venture, which featured crowd-drawing activities such as a jumping castle, face painting, live music and a sausage sizzle.

"We wanted to give people the opportunity to have a garage sale without doing all the preliminary work," said organiser Roz Pengilly.

"It's been so popular and people were so pleased with the event."

The church ran its community initiative independently for several years before linking in with the garage sale trail, which happened at a similar time each year.

Tim Sheather was among the happy stallholders who appreciated the well-organised North Belconnen Giant Community Garage Sale.

"It went well and I made a little bit of money," he said.

"It was my first time there."

He sold furniture, kids' bikes and remote control toys while his sister-in-law sold Avon products at the adjacent stall.

Mr Sheather said he appreciated the way the organisers helped by offering to get food and drinks and keeping an eye on the stalls when sellers needed a quick break.

Nathan Malone was among the buyers who trawled the tables and trailers for a bargain.

He tested a type of freestyle urban scooter, known as the GausWheel.

"It was pretty dodgy," he said.

"I probably should have bought it."

Instead he settled for a PlayStation that cost $5.