Spring and summer are the best seasons for holding a yard sale. It’s a great way to declutter your house, get ready for a future move, or put a little extra cash in your pocket. But simply throwing out a few signs doesn’t mean it will be a success. Instead use these 10 tips to help ensure your yard sale is a winner:
Cater to early birds. Start your yard sale earlier than other yard sales in your area so shoppers will begin their shopping day with you. This gives you an excuse to keep your prices higher, too.
Check your calendar. Don’t schedule your yard sale on a holiday weekend or during a local fair, festival or large sporting event.
Take a rain check. If it rains, consider taking down your signs and rescheduling so you can maximize traffic on the day of your sale.
Scope out competition. Before your own yard sale, visit other sales in your neighborhood to get an idea of typical prices.
Position properly. Place all of your items (except extra large items) on tables so shoppers don’t have to bend.
Testing, testing. If you plan to sell electrical items, have an outlet and extension cord handy so you can show shoppers that the items work.
Grease the wheels. If you want to sell larger ticket items, look for those items in a local circular and then attach the ad to your item so shoppers can see that they are getting a great deal.
Suits you, sir! If you have a variety of items that men would like, place them on their own table. If married couples stop by your sale, both parties will enjoy looking.
Go viral. Advertise your sale ahead of time in your local newspaper classified section, on community boards at your local food stores and on Craigslist.
Give a hoot. Wait until the morning of your yard sale to hang signs in your neighborhood, and make sure you take them down that day to avoid any fines from your homeowners association or your town. You don’t want to have to use all the cash you earn to pay a fine!
Remember, a successful sale is also a safe sale. Keep money in a pouch around your waist instead of in a cash box (which could easily get stolen while you are helping others). Don’t take any chances by accepting checks, and never allow strangers inside your home to use the bathroom or telephone.