Yard sales require careful planning and preparation. From pricing to advertising to bargaining, here are a number of tips to make your sale a success.
Is your attic bulging at the seams? Basement overflowing with junk you haven't touched in years? Closets can't take another box? It's probably time to hold a yard sale. While yard sales are a good way to pare down your possessions and make some money, the successful ones take some careful planning and preparation. But if you're willing to put in the extra effort, chances are your work will pay off--with cash!
Once you've decided it's time to hold a sale, pick a date and start planning. Yard sale shoppers expect sales on Saturdays, so pick one and give yourself ample time to get everything organized. If you think you've got enough to make it a 2-day event, go for it. Another good idea is to check with other people on your street to see if they'd like to get in on the deal. Sings and advertisements that boast of multi-family sales are bound to get more traffic. Also, you'll want to double check that there's not some community event or construction that would prevent people from getting to your street. At the same time, however, it can work to your advantage to hold your yard sale on the same day as say, a church fair if you live nearby, as you'll have additional traffic in your area. Do a little research, and be sure to schedule a rain date as well.
Find a space in your home where you can start accumulating items for the sale. Choose carefully what you're willing to part with, as you'd hate to realize later that you suddenly needed something you sold for $.25 (and make sure you check with other family members, too!) You'll be surprised at how quickly your pile can grow. However, if you find that you don't have much to sell, you might want to reconsider the idea of having your own sale. Perhaps renting a table at a flea market would be a better idea, or going in on a sale with a neighbor. People are less likely to stop at your sale if the pickin's look slim.
Once you've unearthed all you want to sell, start pricing. It's best to price everything with stickers which will keep things running quickly and smoothly, and will allow others to help you sell without having to ask you about the price of each item. Some items, can of course be put under a single price and placed together--such as pricing all books for $1 or all cassette tapes for $.50. Put all like-priced items in a box or table and label accordingly.
Of course to get people to come to your sale, you have to get the word out. Advertising in local newspapers helps those serious about hunting for bargains, and of utmost importance are signs. Be sure to check with your town about restrictions of what kinds of signs are appropriate as well as placement. Be sure to plaster your neighborhood and surrounding areas as much as possible. The best signs will get the biggest crowd. Bright signs with large lettering will do the trick. Don't try to say too much--just the basics: Yard Sale, date, time, location. It's also helpful to signs with arrows, pointing people in your direction, especially if you're a bit of the beaten path. People will follow the signs if you make that extra effort to get them to you.
Besides preparing your items for sale, you'll want to have some additional items on hand. Make sure you've got plenty of change and singles. Nothing's worse than having to turn someone away because you haven't the right change. Money is best kept on you, as opposed to a box, so try to find an apron with pockets for easy change-making. Paper and plastic bags are always an easy people-pleaser, especially for those buying a few small items. Borrow tables from friends and family, as it's much easier to see things on a table than on the ground. If it's a hot day, have some lemonade or ice water handy. People will appreciate the extra touch and it won't cost you much, if anything. Also, make sure you've got people to help you--you'll be surprised how busy things can get and you don't want to make people wait.
On the morning of the sale, set your items up in an attractive way. If your display looks good, people will want to stop. Piles of clothes out front aren't appealing--if you must try to sell them, put them in the back. Group like items together, such as kitchen items, kids' stuff, books, etc. This will make for easier browsing and better people-flow.
Professional shoppers will undoubtedly arrive early, so be prepared for this. "No Early Birds" signs can only do so much. It's better to be up and ready extra-early than not be prepared. This can be annoying, but is part of the business.
Once people start arriving, keep a watch on your stuff and of course, carefully man the money. Have helpers take excess bills into the house, especially anything over $20. Be prepared to bargain as not everything will sell as you mark it. People want a good deal, so think about how low you'll go. If you think someone's asking for a ridiculously low price, be firm, but if you want it off your hands and it's towards the end of the day, go for it. It's one less thing you'll have to deal with later.
Once your sale is over have a plan for the stuff that didn't sell. Donating them to the church rummage sale is an easy option, as is donating them to a charity. Since you've already parted with these things emotionally, let 'em go! Be sure, of course, to remove all signs after the sale.
