It’s that time of the year again. The weather is nice, the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and yard sales are popping up all over the place. As they say, "One person's trash is another person's treasure." So, how do you have a profitable yard sale? Here are 10 tips to help make yours a success!
1. Follow the rules. Find out if there are restrictions in your city. Some cities require permits. Call your town office at least one week in advance of your yard sale date. Sometimes there is a small fee for the permit. I don't mind paying a permit fee, as I know it goes towards my city funding and it is a small amount in comparison to my earning potential.
2. Don't go it alone. Organize a neighborhood yard sale. Ask your neighbors if they would like to make some money too! Buyers like convenience! A neighborhood sale offers an abundance of potential bargains – a one-stop shopping of sorts. Plus, it’s always fun getting to know your neighbors better! If you live in one of the neighborhoods that schedules a community sale, plan to participate then as traffic to your home will likely be higher.
3. Advertise! Advertise! Advertise! (Did I mention Advertise?) In today's social media world, there are so many great ways to reach buyers. Post on Facebook and Craigslist; include appealing pictures of some of your more desirable items. Ask your friends to share your Facebook post on their timelines! Some newspapers may offer a section for yard sale advertising for free. Take advantage of all the advertising you can get! Make colorful and readable signs and post them where drivers will see them clearly and easily (again, check with your town for posting rules). Get the kids involved. If you live in a remote area, you may need to make extra signs, as many buyers do not want to spend time looking for a sale when there are bargains to be had at more convenient locations. Remember to update Facebook during your sale with items still available — use pictures! Don’t forget Twitter if your followers are nearby.
4. Do not over price. But don't sell yourself short either. Even though you may be attached to the items you are selling, buyers are not. Take some time researching what your items are worth and remember that buyers are looking for a bargain. Isn't the idea to get rid of some of your things and make money doing it? If you have a higher-priced item, like a newer washing machine or television, it may be better to post on Craigslist or on a Facebook buy/sell/trade group, but if you decide to give it a whirl, expect to be bargained down. Clearly mark all of your items with a price to eliminate any confusion.
5. Variety is the spice of life. Have a large variety of items. Clothes are OK, but no one wants to go to a sale where that is the only merchandise, unless that is the way it was advertised. This is where having a neighborhood yard sale comes in handy. A lot of inventory brings a lot of buyers!
6. Be organized! Make sure your items are organized and the area is inviting. Put like items together. Many buyers are looking for a certain item. Organizing things will better direct potential buyers. Borrow tables if you need. Try to limit the items you put on the ground — many buyers will not want to bend down and will often walk right by.
7. Be friendly! Always make people feel welcome. No one wants to be ignored, especially when walking into a stranger's yard. Play some music, start a conversation, smile. Buyers talk and they will tell others about your sale, but they may be less likely to if they didn't feel welcome. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising!
8. Be ready! Make sure you have change readily available. Wear an apron or a small purse and be prepared to bargain.
9. Think ahead! Have a plan for your leftover items. Will you donate them or save them for a future yard sale? If you will keep the items, have a place ready to store them, preferably not back in the closet they came from! At the end of a long day, the last thing you will want to do is search for storage. If you will not be keeping anything or are unable to bring the items to a donation site, post at Freecycle.org.
10. Lemonade! Have a lemonade stand or iced tea or another beverage of your choice. No yard sale is complete without a cold drink and it's a great way to teach your kids about economics and working hard.
Having a yard sale can be overwhelming and time consuming, but it has many benefits, like cleaning out items you no longer need or want while making a little extra cash. Hopefully, these tips will be helpful in making your next yard sale a success!
