Don’t Overcomplicate $200: Easiest Yard Sale Tips!
Yesterday I didn’t want to do it. But I did.
For about a month my friend Jenny and I had been talking about holding a yard sale. In fact, we set the date and then the “stuff” started piling up in my garage …
When I tried to get out of the sale (Good Will sounded much easier), Jenny talked me back in to it. I think I have too many bad memories of making yard sales more difficult than they should be, from past years’ experience.
I don’t even price my items any more, until the morning of. Who cares if people are showing up while you’re putting stickers on the items?
My goal is to get the stuff out there, to move it on and out of my life.
DO THIS
1. Set the date (one month early)
2. Have the sale with a friend (way more fun)
3. Hang as many clothes that you can (especially dress, coats, jackets)
4. Buy pre-made stickers from the Dollar Store (cheap and quick)
5. Price the items after you have everything out (don’t stress on everything having to be perfect)
6. Don’t forget the pets (entertaining and never a dull moment)
7. Be friendly and have fun (be willing to engage with your buyers)
DON’T DO THIS
1. Turn people away if they come early (you don’t want to lose out on a sale)
2. Leave stuff in boxes for people to rummage through (stuff needs to be visible)
3. Forget to advertise (Craig’s list, local paper (only $3), signs out)
4. Overprice your items (you’ll lose biz)
5. Say no to offers (goal is to get rid of everything)
6. Want to hang on to things (remember it’s just stuff)
7. Go past noon (not worth going another 5 hours for $5)
We closed up by noon. The car was loaded with the “leftovers” and off to Good Will I went. We were $200 happier and what was my favorite part of the day?
Spending a solid 5-hour chunk of time with my friend. (Thanks for the fun, Jenny! And to Myrna who also joined up with us!)
Are you planning a yard sale this year?
(This post is linked to Rhoda’s at Southern Hospitality post: Yardsales this Week!)
Your tips are spot on. Especially #1 and #7 – do it with friends & have fun.
Sorting & preparing stuff with friends turns a chore into a fun afternoon (with a glass of red or two) and the day of your sale goes a lot quicker with friends to help. Plus they’ll bring some of their own stuff to sell making your sale bigger which will attract more shoppers.
I keep saying I’m overdue for one! Thanks for the inspiration!!!
I have to do two this year… one at home and one at my parent’s cabin on an island… It’s on the market, so it has to be done… I am kinda, sorta dreading both…
You can also advertise your garage sale for free online at multiple locations: Yard Sale Search and your local bookoo site if there is one in your area.
Great tips!
We finally did a yard sale for my mother this spring after YEARS of avoiding it.
Two more tips:
1. divide your home into zones if you have so much stuff to get rid of that you’re procastinating.
This summer we sold 1/2 of the basement contents. Didn’t even look in other parts of the house. That’s for the future.
2. GOAL: 100% finished. All leftovers to Goodwill or the Dump by supper, and the garage swept and car put back in.
My last yardsale was very successful – I did it with my friend Amy and she is, like you, a PRO at doing this well. Her best tip – at 11:30am, give people grocery sacks and tell them to fill them up for $1. It saves the run to Goodwill afterwards!
I will also say, however, that I conducted said yardsale at 37 weeks pregnant. It was in the upper 80’s that day. I ended up with a splitting headache and my son was delivered via CS 24 hours later, a week ahead of schedule!
I blame the yardsale…
I don’t have yard sales often and when I do, I piggyback on someone elses. You have provided some great tips and yay for $200!
Great advice. Thanks and congratulations on a successful sale. La
We had one this year and it was a great success. We only priced the larger items and had an idea about other items. Other than that we offered a price if they asked and we sold out of most everything by 10am. What we had left…we gave to a guy who had stopped back by after buying a lot of our stuff earlier and he took it all away.
We were happy and had the rest of the day to enjoy! Connie
I am truly AGAINST closing up at noon. Even if you have been open for 3 days, you need to stay open until at least 2pm. (I prefer 4.)
As a shopper I am willing to dedicate an entire day to making the rounds regardless of weather. You are at home and have all your comforts.
As a seller, if I just want the stuff gone, offer incentives – quantity discounts, lower prices each successive day, and before making it all free I can move certain items out of the sales area.
should you decide to end a sale so early, make it CLEAR in all of your ads. That is only fair.
I know from working various festivals, towards end of day some of the best sales happen. There are people who do not want to go home until ALL of the money is spent. I want to be there for them.
Your tips are great – although I’d be in the camp with your earlier self, taking the stuff straight to Goodwill!
Your tips are great – although I’d be in the camp with your earlier self, taking the stuff staright to Goodwill!
Well I think #7 depends on how much you have at your sale. We tend to stay open until 4pm. Often some of our best sales are in the later part of the day. I remember one gentleman coming in and spending $100 late in the day. What we do is we start getting busy on yard work during the slow moments of the day. When someone arrives to shop we stop and act hospitable.
I wished I had been closer to shop at your sale. Feel free to add your link to my Thrift Share Monday post too.
Surprisingly we don’t have one planned for this year. I think we’ve had a garage sale every year since we’ve lived here. Which would make 12! LOL!
But when we “thought” we were going to move we got rid of a lot of stuff before hand so I think we’re good for awhile. At least until my taste changes. LOL!
Have a fabulous day!!
I’m planning a garage sale in August. I usually have a sale every year and I’m not into making it too complicated, though I do put a little time into it. I don’t get hung up on pricing. Here’s a link to a post I did on how I have organized my sales in the past.
http://troyerslovinglife.blogspot.com/2009/03/works-for-me-wednesday-garage-sales.html
I’ve been mulling over having a yard sale. (Lord knows I have too much junk!) Your post has given me a push in the right direction.
Oh, I so need to have a garage sale. I have a huge pile of stuff in my basement and want it gone. My problem is I would rather spend my Saturday going to garage sales rather than having one. Thanks for the great tips for when I actually DO have one :).
so glad you had success and fun!!!!
A friend and I have put on an annual garage sale for three years now. Price everything at least a week or two before then pack it according to type in bins (holiday decor in one bucket, linens in another, books in another) it really eases the stress. Setting items out takes less time too. Get more change than you think you’ll need and plenty of bags and packing material. Use lots of tables. People tend to look at stuff on the tables more than on the ground, plus it looks like you’ve made some effort. Our sales go from 9am to 3pm. What doesn’t sell is immediately sent to Goodwill. Then we have a glass of wine and celebrate!
I really need to have one but I just don’t know if I can do it. There’s 2 things that hold me back….rejection…as in if nobody wants my junk and nosy neighbours. eek.
Girl-
The last two hours of my sale..everything was .25 then it went to FREE….get ride of it is my motto!!!
Nothing comes back in the house..nothing!
sandy toe
you have me almost convinced to have one now… we’ll see, maybe in the fall. great tips here, and even better perspective!!
Hey, Sandy, a yardsale is in my future this summer too. I have to have them at least once a year to clear out the overstock. Got to get rid of stuff, since I keep bringing home more. Glad yours was a success!
I really need to!
Wow, your bowls and cups are gorgeous. I would have probably bought those. Glad you had a great day. Hugs, Marty