Featured How To Hold A Successful Yard/Garage Sale

HOLY SANFORD AND SON!!!
Still!!!!!
I’d be in intensive care if I didn’t do at least one of those a week!!!

 

we are having a yard sale this weekend. my dad/partner said I don't want to price anything, I made him do it. I said people hate to ask how much something is. Just price it for gods sake. We have been saving newspaper and grocery bags and boxes for weeks. We advertise on CL, all Ebay marketplaces in our area and I print out flyers for my dad to take thrifting and I posted on my fb page for all my local friends to share. We found great bright orange arrow yard sale signs at the 99cent store and I made a bunch of signs we will put out tomorrow. We ALWAYS take our signs down the same day. Always have change! we get at least 100 $1 bills for the sale plus some $5/$10. I make up sold signs for people who like to make piles before they pay so no one rummages thru their stuff. I hate yard sale day.

 

Your aunt is correct about the people. Wrong about the plate, obviously. I went to one sale where they actually still had a dumpster out front. When I asked politely, they pulled a STERLING salt shaker (weighted alas) out and handed it to me. People throw out the darndest stuff.

 

Wildrose and others made some excellent suggestions.

People hate to ask how much something is.

Absolutely correct. I think asking prices is not in everyone's comfort zone. Where as a customer might grab something without a second thought if it was a dollar, it kind of puts a person on the spot to have to ask about the cost. And then, if you tell them some amount only to have them set it back, well, it can ruin the mood. Best to have everything clearly marked.

The more you can get ready the day or night before, even the week before, the better. Signs, etc. Everything takes more time than you think, people show up early, etc. I don't think you can possibly be over prepared. Also, best if you have a 2nd person who can handle putting up signs.

Since this is a whole neighborhood event, do not skimp on advertising. All of the suggestions were good. The more, the better. Newspaper, Craigslist, Facebook --anything you can think of. And lots of big eye-catching signs. Florescent poster paper from most stores works good. (With dark maker and big lettering as someone mentioned.) You go to all this trouble, you want folks to show up.

Depending on what you are selling, if you REALLY don't want it back, be flexible with pricing as the day goes on. I've even been known to put FREE signs on large items I don't want back. My goal with sales is that I have almost nothing left at the end, and off they go in a single trip to the thrift.

Best of luck!

 

You asked that without just clause!

 

ME TOO!!!

 

my dad goes 5 days a week and hits at least two shops twice a day!

 

My home is deep into the neighborhood & off the beaten track. I put up signs on the main intersections that read,

YARD SALE
STREET NAME
DAY
BIG ARROW (red)

Then I post the signs with just the big red arrow every few block and turns until they reach my home. People always say "great signs, I never knew this area was back here".

I used Craigslist to post the sale and always had good luck.

My neighborhood also holds an annual yard sale. People that live on the first few streets always do well. I no longer participate because I am so far back, by the time most people find me, they have already spent their money or they're burned out. I do better on my own.

 

Hi,
Back when I was selling on eBay I used to go to 15 to 30 garage/yard sales every weekend. A few weekends it amounted to over 50!!! Now I am lucky to go to three a month and sometimes 2 over a three month period. I used to get really excited about them but around here they have nothing!!!! I had a sale last year and sold only one item. I am talking about Depression Glass I was asking a dollar for really expensive pieces, no takers. The worst was I had a solid mahogany display table with beveled glass top. Solid brass corners and lock with two keys. Was asking 50 dollars and finally sold it for 15 dollars. I remember when they were selling for 300 dollars.
greg

 

Gregsglass, I "liked" your post #29 (above) only because I found it interesting information, not because of the economics (deterioration?) of yard sales in your area.

 

I "liked" it out of empathy.

 

Oh!!!! Ha!!!!!

But I did!!! He wrote ‘clause’.

 

Without just clause - does that mean you brought the tag sale elves too?

 

You're both a couple of cards!

 

You’re such a ‘joker’.

 

I like to put boxes of free stuff by the curb, with a big sign that sez free. Most people can't resist stopping for a peek.
Also, I get lots of $1 and $5 dollar bills, as well some change, to have at the ready. I count that up the night before, and write out the amount, so I don't forget to deduct it when I'm counting. I like knowing exactly how much I've made.

Also, I use a good, well made, canvas fanny pack with several compartments for the cash. It's around my waist, compartments in front. No cash box - bec. I'm on my own most of the time. Once family gets up, I'll hand them some $$ to take inside, so the fanny pack doesn't get to heavy. I also let my german shepherd dog watch through the glass door. That makes it easy to say "no" when people ask to use my bathroom.

I put on sunscreen; and I have a lawn chair with a bottle of soda or water by my closed garage door so I can rest between customers. If you have a beverage out there, have one with a cap or lid that you can close, in case it gets knocked over.

And have fun!

 

ALL good!
I’ve gotten some great free stuff!
I go to that first unless I spot something.

 

I play slow music from one of my boom boxes for sale.....
like a grocery store....only better music !

 

I shuffle when I walk.....

 

I've never gotten anything really valuable out of the free box, but I always have to look.