Yard Sale TIPS!

I LOVE a good yard sale! I also LOVE holding them! They is a lot of work involved, but on the plus you get to meet some great people and you make some extra cash. Over the years I have had my share of sales – successful and not so successful! The last one I had was in February (basement sale) and was my most successful of them all!  It’s all about the work that you do before hand and seriously it’s not that hard!

Inventory

To have a successful yard sale you need INVENTORY!

• Start gathering things and price as you go! This will make setting up for your sale much easier. (see pricing below)
• As you find items to sell, make sure everything is in clean and good working order.
• Make repairs to clothing and or press and hang on hangers. Infant and toddler clothing should be neatly folded and laid flat.

Marketing

Back in the day, one would place ad’s in their local paper and put up signs all over the neighbourhood. Yes, great idea, but it’s time to use your tech savvyness and use social media to attract buyers. 

• Place ads for FREE on Facebook, Craigslits and Kijiji, post a few photos and list some of your bigger items.  Make sure you add the basic info Date, time and location. 
• TWEET out your sale.  If you HASHTAG #garagesale, you just never know who may show up!  
• The morning of place some BRIGHT coloured signs around the neighbourhood you just never know who might stop buy.
• Add balloons or streamers to your sign to catch attention.

Merchandising

Remember, for the day of a sale, your yard, basement, garage, driveway is your store. Make it look inviting. Think like Walmart.

• Place larger items such as furniture or appliances in the front of the yard so that they are the first thing drive-bys see.
• Group items together just like you would find them in Walmart; household, clothing, toys, etc…
• Put a price on your stuff. People do not want to take the time to ask, but if they see a price they will be more then happy to make an offer. 
• Make sure all your stuff is clean and nice. Take a few minutes to make everything look it’s best. It will get you more money.
• Bundle like items together – put a box of utensils together in a bag and mark them all for $2 and they will sell quicker that way. Or a bag of sweaters would fly off the table.
• Use an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper for large items such as furniture. Print in large letters and tape on the front or lay on top.

Specials

People like free things! These will cost you very little money, but will make for a great experience at your sale(spend money to make money)

• Create small “loot bags” put a few toys (that you would otherwise throw away) in a fun bright bag and give them away to kids.  Seriously, kids love things like that, and you will probably make the parents happy and they might just want to buy something. 
• Have cold water on hand to give away to people. 

Negotiate
Yard sale shoppers are there for a deal, so you need to be flexible on the price! If you have a firm price on an item, well perhaps your shouldn’t put it out in the first place.  As long as the price is reasonable I say let them have it! More room in my home once it’s gone.

• Offer deals when someone wants to buy more then a few items
• Discount your items after a certain time (like 1pm)

Charity

I always donate what ever is left over to the local Goodwill. Please make sure that the items are in good condition and that they will be able to sell them as well.

Happy Savings! 

Miss Savings Girl!