Spring cleaning is upon us. If you want to clean house and start afresh here are your tips to host a yard sale.
#10- Determine whether you have useful items or junk. If it is broken, missing important pieces, stained, THROW IT OUT! Those damaged goods won't encourage buyers to look at all you have to offer. They will see the holey sweater and broken chair and get back in their car.
#9- Why are you having a yard sale?
A. to make money
B. to declutter
C. all of the above
Most people will say C. But either A or B is the real reason. It's easy to decide the answer. When looking at your items do you think "I won't sell this for $1. This is really worth $15." then its A.to make money. Keep in mind you may be bringing items back in your house if they don't sell and you won't negotiate price.
If you say "Once its outside I'm not bringing it back in this house. It either gets sold, gets donated or put on the curb." Then its B. to de-clutter. You are happy to make only few bucks off your yard sale but you need the space.
#8 PRICE will determine a lot. If you are in it to make money, be clear about price. Be sure to mark items clearly. And don't be afraid to approach people who linger around an item. They may need an invitation to discuss the price. For example if you're asking $15 for a nice set of end tables, and you notice a woman keeps eying them. Ask her if she is interested and perhaps express a few good traits about the tables, ie doesn't wobble, solid wood, no scratches. If she still appears hesitant perhaps lower your price by $2. It may seem small but sometimes those $2 is all it takes. You are now $13 richer and have 2 fewer items to take back inside.
If you are in it to de-clutter, price all items low and at a similar price. People like round numbers and they like easy math. For example, Books 4 for $1. It encourages people to grab more and keeps you using dollar bills instead of quarters. Don't get nit picky and say this jacket is $4 but this sweater is $2. Instead All Ladies Clothing is $2. All Kids Clothing is 2 for $1. Remember you want it GONE!
#7 You can get more money for something based on DISPLAY. You will always get more money for clothing on hangers. It shows you care about it, and is in good condition.
People don't want to sort through your giant blue tubs of kid clothes. They see what's on top, notice the size, the condition, the style and move on. If you must do tubs of clothes/items, display correct sizes on outside so people can cut to the chase. Don't lay clothing in a pile on a blue tarp on your grass. it will end up looking like your dirty clothes pile. You can use a table to fold clothing in neat small piles. No pile should be higher than 3 or 4 items. Best items on TOP! and outfits together. And don't sell underwear, that's weird.
Books/CDs should be displayed so titles are easy to read and all priced the same.
DO NOT SIT ON THE FURNITURE YOU ARE SELLING! Large furniture is hard to sell as it is. Make it appear open and available.
Purses can be a hard item to sell. They are very personal. If available use a coat rack to display your purses and again similar prices for all.
#6 Ninety Seconds(90) is all you get to impress! (and sometimes less) If most people come and go empty handed then either your prices are too high or you should have thrown more in the trash can. Greet people with a simple hello, make them feel welcome on your property. But too much conversation can drive them away also. Pay attention to what interests them, and perhaps you can step in and negotiate when they seem to debating with themselves. Remember the difference a few dollars in price can make. Try to be flexible if you want it all gone.
#5 SIGNS! SIGNS! SIGNS! Can you tell its important? Use large signs with few words. If they can't find you, they can't buy from you. The words YARD SALE with arrows -> is really all you need. Perhaps the house number and date if you're worried they won't make it all the way down your street. But Large and Bright Colors are important. Warn people a ways before the turn and do it in both directions of traffic. Help people find you if you are more than one turn off the main road. And please remove your sign at the end of the day. Nobody wants to follow them the next week when there is no sale.
#4 Forget RETAIL PRICE! No one wants to hear what you paid for the item. They don't care that you paid $120 for it. It's currently on your driveway next to a tickle me Elmo, and a Micheal Bolton CD. They're offering $10. If you want to make back some of the money you spent on a nice item, your front yard is perhaps not the right venue. Craigslist, Ebay, the Bargain Box in the newspaper, and similar places is where you'll get the most money for an item. Remember you want to make money at your yard sale but you don't want to take it all back inside.
#3 Be Prepared! Be able to make change and provide bags. Not everyone comes prepared to spend $3 at a yard sale. They only have a $20 in their pocket. Be sure to have cash and coin enough to repeatedly give change for those $20 bills. Offer bags to those buying multiple items. Even if they
decline, they appreciate the offer. But most will accept. And they might
even buy a few more items to fit in there.
#2 Advertise. You may not read the local newspaper but many yard salers do. Before I head out each week, my mom cuts the yard sale section out of her paper and brings it along. We use it as our starting points. If you're listed in my few mile radius I'll be prepared to go there. I am also ready to stop along the way for those who didn't advertise. But to guarantee me, you gotta tell me about it! Check with your local paper, they usually charge only a small fee. And bonus, many papers include this on their website too. Be sure to include your address, and perhaps a helpful clue "across from the church" so people know where to look. List categories for sale, ie. baby items, kid clothes, sports gear, tools. Include dates, times, and possible rain date.
#1 Be Kind! It may sound silly and simple but the kind person who offered my kids a free ice pop on a hot day has just kept me at their yard sale for at least 5 more minutes. The kind person who lowered the price on the box of parfait glasses without my asking just got me to discuss a few more items. The kind person who told me my children were beautiful just made me feel comfortable on their front lawn so I took a second glance through their kid movies. The kind person who said my son could keep the firetruck he'd adored reminded me how adorable my son is so I bought him the cute raincoat. If you make people feel welcome they will linger longer and frequently buy more.
Happy Yard Saling!
#10- Make a wish LIST. These are items you hope to find while hitting the sales. Note the importance of each item on your list. ie. mirror-need in the next 3 weeks before mother-in-law visits, Christmas lights- no rush,
