Need to make some extra cash? Need to get rid of some of the extraneous things cluttering up your home and garage? Having a yard sale is a great way to answer both these needs. I am the local "Yard Sale Queen" among my friends and family and I have gone to hundreds of yard sales and hosted quite a few myself. I've discovered new neighborhoods, found awesome items for cheap and had quite a bit of fun. Here are some tips on how to have a successful yard sale.
- Team up with your neighbors or friends in hosting a yard sale;
- More items for sale will draw more customers.
- Advertise:
- Post an ad on Craigslist with directions; and on Yard Sale Treasure Map at http://www.yardsaletreasuremap.com/
- Make colorful, legible signs (date, time, address) with arrows that people can read from the road in a moving car at the main intersections (both ways) and the side streets leading to your house;
- Get creative with signage: use terms like “awesome” or “the best yard sale ever;
- Place balloons or sandwich board sign at your yard entrance; please don’t forget to take the signs down after the sale!!
- Check out this link for good yard sale design tips:
- http://www.morningtoast.com/2006/07/effective-garage-sale-signs/
- Make your sale space attractive and accessible—so important:
- Set up tables and “merchandise”--this means putting like items together and creating scenes like they do in department and home goods stores, e.g. all kitchen items on one table and perhaps creating a kitchen vignette—table with a place-setting; put pretty table cloths on tables;
- Run a live electrical extension cord so buyers can test your electrical appliances; set up a rack for clothes and a mirror;
- Set up a cooler with small bottled water for free; sell some refreshments at minor costs;
- Play some upbeat music; make your place look like a boutique;
- You might want to set up a children’s section so kids can play and parents can shop.
- Clean and prepare items:
- Clean all items (nothing worse than picking up a dirty kitchen appliance);
- Have everything easily accessible--do not leave boxes right in front and below tables—this prevents buys from getting in close to the merchandise on top of the tables;
- Don’t leave lots of random items in boxes—yes, some people will rummage through these, but most won’t
- Put batteries in things that require them.
- Don’t set up items that people trip over.
- Be a Good Cashier and Negotiator:
- Have about $100 cash bank, in $1s, $5s and quarters
- Wear a fanny pack or an apron with pockets is the best way to stash cash.
- It is wise to offer some free items, but only to people who buy other items (free book or CD with a purchase).
- Learn how to haggle wisely—sometimes it is better to let something go at a lower price than to have to haul it away to Goodwill later and sometimes it is wiser to hold out and post the item on eBay or craigslist. (Do some research on these sites with comparable items if you are unsure)
- You should expect to get about 10 cents on the dollar for used items, e.g. a coffee maker that you bought for $50 and is in great shape should warrant a $5 sticker at most. But take $3 for it if offered.
- Put stickers on your items, but be willing to negotiate with buyers—this is part of the fun for yard salers. (If you have antiques or designer clothing, consign those items.)
- Have boxes, shopping bags and old newspapers to help shoppers with their goods.
- Keep an eye on your house: don’t let strangers go unattended into your home or garage.
- Think about the weather: have tarps or tents ready or an alternative rain date.
- Make it Fun:
- Set a relaxed tone where you are willing to interact with people and make them feel comfortable.
- If you have kids, train them not to “attack” potential buyers with “helpful suggestions”
- Have a Back up Plan: with what to do with leftovers;
- Drop off immediately to a charity
- Place some items out on the curb with a “FREE”” sign.
- Try to resist bringing stuff back into the house, unless of course they are of value and can be posted on Craigslist.
- Bring certain items to the recycling center of your city’s public works department (TVs and computers)
- Put some stuff in the trash.
How to Be a Savvy Yard Saler
Do you want to find some unique items? Do you want to go on a treasure hunt? You too can be a savvy yard saler. Here are some easy tips:
- Start out by checking Craigslist on Friday and Saturday for yard or garage sales in your area. Sites like Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.and yardsaletreasuremap.com can help you refine your search by local geography and GarageSaleHunter.com can help you refine your search by items.
- Choose more affluent neighborhoods—yes it’s discriminating, but you do get better stuff by and large.
- Set up a driving route, which will help you, hit all the yard sales in your area in an efficient way.
- Bring some small bills, a shopping bag and go with a relatively empty trunk.
- Keep a look out for yard sale signs that are not necessarily on your list.
- Unless it is a super fantastic sale, limit your time at each yard sale as you have much ground to cover in one Saturday.
- Be polite: always greet the host and start some small talk if possible. But don’t feel compelled to buy something just because she is nice. Just say a goodbye and good luck kind of thing when you leave.
- Don’t be rude by haggling ruthlessly with the host. Ask politely if she can do any better on the price if you are interested in something. And for god sakes, please don’t haggle if it is fund-raiser for the medical costs of the neighborhood kid with leukemia.
Read for laughs and some interesting stories the blog, yardsalebloodbath.com. “Here you’ll find our various thoughts on yard sales and related subjects, ranging from philosophical musings to “oh my god, I can’t believe that person was trying to sell their used granny panties.” These girls are hilarious, irreverent and at times profane. Being a yard sale queen myself, I always chuckle at their many adventures and observations.
