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Yard sales are fun, productive, and necessary. Just when you have no more room, and need some extra money, you come up with the idea to sell some of those unwanted, unneeded, unused treasures for cash.
How can you be successful, with so much competition, and so little time? Easy as 1 - 2 - 3.
Step One
Identify all items in your home that you no longer need, want or use. You should be in an unsentimental mood, with no one in the house who might stop your efforts. Be thorough, but fair. Make sure everyone can, eventually, agree that the item was as unnecessary as you, yourself, believe it to be. This includes your items, so be fair to everyone else, as well. Once identified, separate by types of items, such as clothing, household, furniture, toys, etc., and place in separate boxes. These items should be cleaned prior to the sale date.
Step Two
Decide on generally accepted amounts for certain items, but DO NOT place price tags on these items. If you are having a sale involving more than one family, it’s ok to place small stickers with each families initials, etc, on the items, but no prices should be listed. Why? Simple, really, you don’t want to scare away those in search of “cheap bargains”, and you want to leave your items open to individual suggestions. This doesn’t mean you have to take the first item offered, but be open minded and reasonable, listening to suggestions, and considering them, before making a decision. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that this often brings more money than you would have originally asked for in the first place. Items, again, should be clean and neatly displayed for maximum effect and appeal to your “customers”.
Step Three
Have fun. Ever passed by a yard sale, or garage sale, and shouted at your husband to stop the car? Why that one, and not the other ones you passed? Most people will stop if the other shoppers, or the salesperson, looks as if they are having a good time. After all, most of these sales are on the weekend, which is understood to be a day of rest, relaxation and fun, right? This is not to say you have to wear a clown suit, or hire a mime. You do, however, want to have brightly colored tablecloths, which might, themselves, be for sale, and bright, newer looking items up front. Hang your pictures and your assorted collectables in brightly patterned positions, to attract the eye and the imagination. Have a large selection of books or magazines? Consider placing a worn, comfortable, old chair (which may also be for sale), near the books, with a sign saying, reading welcome, or read first, buy later. Arrange your toys, and children’s items at a level where the kids can see them, but not destroy them, and so that they look fun, engaging, and educational, which will draw the attention of the parents.
Yard sales should be planned, with refreshments offered (for sale or for free) and a fun, comfortable, easy environment, that attracts both the young, the old, and those in between. If you draw their attention, they will come...and if they come...the might buy.
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