Most people who have yard sales are lucky to end up with less junk afterwards or if they're really fortunate, clear a few hundred dollars. Here are 5 simple tips for how we got organized and made $1600 in our recent yard sale.
1. Get organized:
- Can't stress this one enough. The more organized you are, the easier and smoother it will go, less stress and more profitable. Borrow as many tables as you'll need; it's better to have items off the ground. A week or two in advance, go through garage, storage, every room, drawer, cabinet, closet etc and pull out anything that you don't need or use, haven't thought about in the last year, outgrown etc.
- Group like items together on the tables. Once it's all laid out, price everything. Use easy remove stickers so you don't damage items. Having everything priced prevents the endless "How much is this?" and you'll be too busy for that. Also reduces the possibility that spouse or helpers will make up a price and sell it for less than you wanted
- Bring out and price everything and anything. You'd be amazed what people buy so don't throw anything away beforehand thinking no one will be interested.
- If you have the space, bring tables outside to get everything laid out priced. Cover overnight as you progress and then bring tables back into garage when you're done until the sale.
- If you have clothes, use a garment rack or have items folded neatly on table or tarp on ground (you'll be refolding throughout)
- Start setting up the morning of the sale at least an hour before your advertised start time. Then you're ready to go before they show up and you can handle the early birds instead of missing them.
2. Advertising:
- At least a week before the sale, post your bigger, more expensive, or better items on Craig's List with 1-3 pictures, dimensions, and relevant details. Indicate it's going in a yard sale on X date so if they're interested, don't wait get it now. This is where we've made the most money because these buyers are actively looking for the item and know the value. While everyone's looking for a bargain, they'll pay more than you'll get at a yard sale.
- On Thursday but no later than noon or 3:00 on Friday, post yard sale signs with arrows and Sat. on the nearby main intersections. You get visibility for 1-2 days as folks go to work and back.
- That week or by Thursday post yard sale ad on Craigslist. Use any other distribution lists you belong to as well and include highlights of what you're selling (antiques, home office furniture, skis etc) with date, time, and location. Usually 8 - 1 or 2 pm is long enough.
3. Pricing, Negotiating, & Money:
- People have a bargain basement mentality when it comes to yard sales so don't expect to get what it's 'worth'. However you can improve your revenue by using a couple strategies.
- Know what you want to sell it for and start a little higher. If you want $3 start at $5, if $7 start at $10, $15 start at $20 etc. If people want to negotiate, you're more likely to end closer to where you wanted.
- Resist the temptation to negotiate for at least the first hour (or more) of the sale. If you think they're serious, take their name and number and let them know it's still at the beginning or too early to start discounting, but if it doesn't sell at your price, you're happy to give them a call. If they're serious they'll buy it because they don't want to take the chance of losing it or having to come back.
- Only take cash. If you really, really, really feel you want to take a check, write their driver's license number on the check and make sure it has phone number and address. (see more on this below) If buyer is from Craigslist, use PayPal and don't give address or schedule pick up until money is received and accepted. If using Craigslist, be aware of Out Of Towner's who want it shipped and request wiring money to them. It's a scam.
- Make sure you have enough change. I usually have $150 with 5 tens, 12 fives, 40 singles and I'll turn a couple of the singles into quarters. But mostly everything is marked $1 as the lowest. Designate one person as the money collector. Use a fanny pack or deep pockets. Keep your money on you and organized. When it's too full or too many $20, take a bunch out and put it in the (locked) house
4. Placement, rearranging, and mood:
- Put big draw items up front or near the street to catch their eye
- Keep it easy to move among tables and as things sell, rearrange and consolidate; take down tables as needed. Keep things organized, well presented, and neat. It sets a tone for value instead of items strewn all over. Sloppy tends to feel less valuable and desirable
- Don't hover; leave them breathing room to think and make a decision. However stay close and be present to items that are easy to pocket and walk off with
- Don't take anything personally
- Smile, be pleasant and courteous; say thank you. It goes a long way in creating an enjoyable mood and more likely to buy when they feel good, unpressured, and appreciated
5. When it's over:
- Create 4 categories. The rule of thumb here is little to nothing comes back in the house. Bag or box your donations, drop them off at collection site, and take down yard sale signs
- Donations to Good Will/Salvation Army
- Donations to Career Closet for work type clothing
- Keep it temporarily if you think it'll sell on Craigslist, continue to repost ad, you can always donate it later
- Toss/garbage
If you've taken any checks, make a copy or take a picture before you go to the bank so you have a record. Go to a branch of their bank and cash it there. Don't deposit it into your account.
Take out your initial capital ($150) and count your revenue. Put your feet up, and enjoy a glass of wine. Going forward commit to being less spontaneous and more conscious with purchases. Less is More!
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