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07/29/2002 Entry: "Yard Sale"
Can't believe I forgot to mention one of the ideas that accompanied the cleaning! I've decided to fling sanity to the wind and have a (gulp!) yard sale. We've really got too much crap lying around, and I'd like to give a shot at turning it into money before I give up and just haul it to Goodwill or to the dumpster. I've already got two big boxes full of books, clothes, and other miscellany from yesterday's work, and I know there's plenty more.
Anybody have any tips for hosting a successful yard sale? It will be my first. My biggest problem will be that we live kind of in the middle of nowhere, but perhaps some careful advertising will assist me over that hurdle.
Replies: 10 sandcastles
Ooh, yard sales are fun! I agree that it's more fun if you can do it multi-family or even a whole street/neighborhood.
Posted by Kat @ 07/30/2002 09:34 AM EST
I know that both of these have already been mentioned, but I'll second them: 1) Advertise in the local newspaper, if there is one -- there are people who scour the things every weekend (my mom, for example!) and 2) try to do it with at least one other family -- the more stuff you have (and can advertise) the more people you will attract!
Posted by shannon @ 07/30/2002 09:13 AM EST
Clear directions, especially if you're in the middle or nowhere, and prices or stuff in a box labelled "this box 25cents" for example. :)
Those other tips were great, too.
Posted by Andrea R @ 07/29/2002 07:40 PM EST
If it's possible, you might want to check around and see if anyone else nearby is having a garage sale sometime soon. Two neighbors on our street had theirs on the same weekend (they didn't plan it that way) and the shared traffic they got was incredible. We saw a lot of cars parking halfway between the two houses and then visiting both sales.
Posted by amy @ 07/29/2002 03:48 PM EST
Instead of putting an individual price on everything, get little round stickers in different colors (red, green, white, etc) and then have a big chart up that states red stickers are one dollar, green are two dollars, and so on. I've heard of people having a lot of success with that method because it saves time with the preparation.
Posted by sherry @ 07/29/2002 02:59 PM EST
Having done my fair share of yard sales, here are some of my tips:
1. Big, easy to read signs that won't fall over or curl up if it's humid.
2. Put a price on everything if you can.
3. Set out big items out front or nice items to draw ppl in.
4. Have lots of change on hand & keep your money always with you in a waistpack.
Do a search on Google for "garage sale tips" & you'll find more. :)
Good luck!!
Posted by Cliff @ 07/29/2002 02:26 PM EST
I agree with Lizzi, but I would add this goes for smaller items as well. In my case, the microwave mentioned in the ad was sold first thing to someone who specifically came for it. And many other people stopped by asking for it the rest of the day.
My tip is not to haggle too hard -- if your goal is to get rid of it, then accept any remotely reasonable offer, even if it's less that you think the item is worth.
Posted by Dara @ 07/29/2002 02:13 PM EST
If you're placing a newspaper ad or making a flyer, make sure you list any big items individually or large groups of similar items--my parents never had any luck selling their porch swing or pool equipment until they listed it specifically in the ad. I was overseeing the sale with the porch swing--we had 11 people come in after it was sold saying they'd come just for it, and most of them ended up buying something else!
Posted by Lizzi @ 07/29/2002 01:53 PM EST
I've just found it easier to get the receipt from Goodwill & take a deduction off my taxes. Granted, I don't get money right away, but it's easier than dealing with pricing, placing, advertising...
Posted by Joshua @ 07/29/2002 01:15 PM EST
we need to have a yard sale as well. we have so much junk just laying around the house taking up space!
Posted by maggie @ 07/29/2002 12:31 PM EST
