Summer is finally here – that means it’s time for cookouts, trips to the pool, picnics, and YARD SALES! Yard Saling is a popular and family friendly past time. There’s nothing that says summer like rummaging through your neighbor’s junk and finding treasures that they practically pay you to take home with you. Know what’s even more fun than going to a yard sale? Having one of your own!
Yard Sales are the perfect way to get some extra cash in your pocket, and get rid of some of the clutter you have accumulated in your house during that long, hard winter. Plus, hosting your own yard sale is great excuse to spend some time with your family, friends, and neighbors. But, you don’t want your yard sale to be a dude. Here are some tips and tricks of the trade to ensure your yard sale is a success this summer.
Advertise
First and foremost, you have to advertise your yard sale, especially if you live in a rural area. Sure, a tiny percentage of your customers will just happen to be driving by and stop – but you need to get the word out. Online sites like Craigslist and Facebook will surely drum up some business. The majority or yardsalers are typically members of the older generation that still read the paper every morning, so you might want to put a small ad in your local paper too. Flyers at busy businesses in your area are always a plus too.
Signs
You will want to put up signs at the end of your street, AND right in front of your yard sale. If someone is looking for your sale because they saw an ad online or in the paper, you want to make sure that they can find it. Plus, some people might be hesitant to stop and shop if it isn’t clear that it is a yard sale and not just someone cleaning their garage or having a get together.
Double Up Or Even Triple Up
When you are cruising round yard sales, where are you more apt to stop? At a place with one table and a box, or a yard FULL of stuff? Ask a family on your street if they want to join in on the fun and set up some stuff at your yard sale. They’ll be thrilled at the chance to get some junk off their hands without having to actually host the sale, plus they will make your sale look fuller.
Refreshments
One year we had a yard sale and it was a scorching day. On a whim my brother decided to sell water bottles out of the cooler – we made over $100 … on WATER! Some people even go all out and fire up the grill and sell hot dogs and burgers at their sales. That can be risky though, the last thing you want is a disgruntled neighbor calling the health inspector on you or someone getting sick from the food you cooked. But, store bought drinks are always successful on hot days!
Make The Sale
It can be tedious, but try to price everything. People are more apt to buy an item if they don’t have to chase down the owner and play “guess the price” or “well make me an offer.” But, if you see someone hovering over an item, don’t be shy about negotiating with them. After all, the whole purpose is to GET RID OF IT. If you see a potential customer checking something out, strike up a conversation with them, reassure them that it is good quality and don’t be scared to knock a few dollars off the price!
We have so much junk in our basement & I keep telling my hubby we need to have a yard sale this summer. Thanks for the tips.
These are great tips! Luckily the advertising is up to our HOA since our community has joint garage sales so its promoted
I think my apartment used to host a “yard sale” of sorts in the parking lot–but haven’t seen it in a couple of years now. Of course the houses around all have them! Those really are great tips–especially about selling cold drinks!!
Perfect timing as we are having one this summer! Thanks for this!
Great tips come really handy as I am planning a yard sale =)
These are some great tips! Our whole road does a neighborhood yard sale every summer. I will have to keep these tips in mind when that weekend comes
These are great tips! I love advertising on Facebook groups and craigslist.
These are great. The few times I did a yard sale, advertising is what made it successful!
My neighbors are always having yard sales during the summer. I’m always secretly hoping that I’ll find something valuable and wonderful at one of these events.