It’s spring cleaning time, and depending on how deep you want to dig, you may have enough for a garage/yard sale. Garage sales are a great way to clear out your unwanted items, and with a little planning, they can bring in some extra ‘seed money’.
Here’s a few tips to ensure that your yard sale is successful:
- Check the weather. This may seem like a no-brainer, but nothing ruins a yard sale like bad weather. Sunny days bring out the biggest crowd, so check and reschedule if rain looks likely.
- Try to go in with neighbors, if possible. Nothing draws a crowd like a ‘multi-family yard sale’. The more you have to draw the people in, the better chance you have at selling your stuff.
- Take the extra time to organize your items, especially clothing. People don’t want to sift through boxes and clothes laying on blankets. If you can, string a rope across your yard and hang clothes. You will be amazed at how much more you sell. It doesn’t matter if it’s in your yard or a store, people like organized treasure hunting.
- Individually price items. You will be busy the day of the sale, and some people may not want to wait for you attention to ask the price on an item they are considering. Also, price items to sell. You may have paid a lot for the item, but now it is only worth what someone else will pay for it.
- Be willing to haggle. Don’t take offense to people offering you less than your marked price. Bartering for price is the name of the game when it comes to yard sales. If the price they offer is too low, counter-offer. If you can’t come to an agreement in the end, then the sale was not meant to be.
- Advertise. Make clearly readable signs. Remember, people might be reading them as they drive by at 35 mph, so make the letters bold, large, and easy to read. Provide arrows leading your customers to your yard {Neon poster board is the way to go here!} Also, use free advertising, such as craigslist. List out the best items–draw the folks in! Make sure to post your ad a day or two before the big event. Serious yard salers are mapping out their day the night before.
- Remember to get change. Get a box that you will keep your money in, and plan on having plenty of quarters, ones, and fives on hand. Also, decide if you are willing to accept checks ahead of time, so you aren’t surprised when someone asks. It is perfectly reasonable to ask for cash only, so long as you do it respectfully.
- Get the kids involved! Let them sell muffins, cookies, donuts, coffee, tea–or whatever else you choose. I always let them keep whatever profit they make, plus I am always amazed at how many people buy them.
- Keep a stack of newspaper and grocery bags handy so you can offer people a bag and/or wrap fragile items. Remember, a lot of your shoppers will be your neighbors, so a little customer service goes a long way!
- Unless you would rather haul everything back inside, slash prices in the afternoon. The bulk of your items will sell in the morning anyway.
What yard sale tricks have you learned over the years?
~Mavis
Need a more extensive how-to? Try Yard Sale Tips and Treasures from Amazon.
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By Tanya L.K. Denckla.
