A community yard sale is a trifecta. Where else can you clear out clutter, make some fast cash and then go out and spend that well-earned cash on new-to-you treasures? It is a perfect cycle and one that many people engage in spring through fall. But for a truly successful yard sale experience — whether you are organizing one, buying from another, or both — it’s your plan that will yield the most plentiful reward in either found treasures or well-earned dollars.
Tips for Shoppers
Pick Your Day; Plan Your Route. Choosing the day that you want to hunt yard sales is easy. Planning your route is what takes time. There are a few apps you can download to your smartphone that will sort and manage yard sale listings in your area. Check out “Yard Sale Treasures Map” or browse Craigslist for yard sale posts. A simple Google search for sales in your area will yield great results. From there, plan a route that will let you explore in an organized fashion versus hopping from neighborhood to neighborhood. And when possible, maximize your plan by visiting community neighborhoods where more homes are likely to be participating in the group sales.
Timing Is Everything. Not sure when to arrive? That all depends on what you’re looking for and how much money you want to spend. It’s simple: for the best selection, get there early. But you also have to be willing to pay a bit more. Looking for a bargain? Sleep in and head out around Noon. People will be packing up for the day and will be willing to sell things cheaper than listed, sometimes even giving items away!
Full Package. When you head out on your yard sale adventure, be sure to pack some things to make transporting your treasures easier. Boxes, bungee cords, rope and packing paper are a few things to throw in the car and have on hand should you need them. You don’t want to find the table of your dreams and have no way to get it home, do you? And make sure you bring some shopping bags to use in case sellers don’t have them available for you.
Upon Further Inspection. While the excitement of finding that perfect something might take over during your treasure hunt, it’s important to carefully and thoroughly inspect your soon-to-be purchases. Check clothes for tears and stains, make sure electrical items work (ask sellers to plug them in), and measure large items to ensure they will fit in your vehicle and your home.
The Art of Negotiation. What is the fun of a yard sale if you don’t haggle a bit? You should negotiate for everything! How much is it worth to you? Sellers are most often prepared to get rid of items and negotiate on prices. All you have to do is ask. Also, when making an offer, make sure you have exact cash for the price you set. There is nothing a seller hates more than someone who says “I only have $5,” only to have them pay with a $20 bill.
Cash Out. While it is a day and age of technology, cash remains the currency of choice at yard sales. Come prepared with a wallet filled with a variety of bills — the smaller the denomination, the better. Sellers are giving change frequently and often can’t break larger bills.
Tips for Sellers
The Great Purge. Start gathering. The whole purpose of having a yard sale is to clean out and rid yourself of things you don’t need. Section off an area of your house where you can start gathering items together for your sale and sorting through them. Check all over the house and be sure to get rid of any items you no longer want.
There’s an Ad for That. With websites like Craigslist and yardsales.net, listing your yard sale is easier than ever, reaching far more people than classified ads only. Also, see if your community has a local site where special events can be listed. Be sure to list your sales with a few weeks of notice on as many sites as possible. And don’t forget about your own network. Create an event on Facebook for your friends to see. Another tip: mention some of the specific items or categories of items you’ll be selling so buyers will be enticed to stop by.
Perfect Place. Don’t think that just because it is a yard sale it doesn’t need to be neat and organized. Merchandise it. That’s right; just like a department store, have a section for items of similar types or display items as you would in your home. Grouping like items together makes it easier for people to shop, easier for you to organize, and often equals more money in your pocket at the end of your sale.
The Price is Right. There are differing schools of thought when it comes to pricing items for yard sales. Some say that if you price everything, you will yield greater results. Perhaps that’s true, but who has time to price every piece? A preferred method is to group similar things and sell them for the same price. It’s easy to remember and easy to communicate to customers. Also, you may undervalue something by branding it with a price. Let your buyers tell you how much they are willing to pay for it and negotiate from there.
Pleasant Exchange. People like to buy from other kind, friendly people. Be sure to be available and to talk to your buyers; don’t sit and look at your phone or have your nose in a book. Tell visitors a bit about what they are looking at and why you liked it. Ask them what their plans are for your item. Plus, being available and approachable makes people feel more comfortable buying from you.
Change is Good. If you’re planning on making money, be sure you’ve got plenty of change. It’s important to start your day off with a large amount of small bills, especially ones and fives, so that you can break down larger bills throughout the day. Make sure you keep your money with you at all times, even if it’s just in your pocket.
Wrap It Up. When you’re finishing up and calling it a day, make your cleanup a bit easier by offering any remaining buyers their choice of items to take away. Whatever remains should be packed up and immediately taken to a thrift store or donation center. If you have items that you’d like to sell at a future yard sale, neatly organize, pack and label them so you know that you have them.
What to Do with Your Earned Money…
- Donate it to your favorite charity.
- Put it in the college fund for your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews.
- Pay a little extra on your car, mortgage or credit card.
- Set up a vacation savings account.
- Save it for a rainy day.
- Use it to purchase gifts for special occasions.
Yard Sale Shopper Necessities
- Crossbody bag so your hands are free to dig through bins of things.
- Comfy, closed toe shoes, because what if everything is set up in the yard and it’s muddy?
- Empty, sturdy shopping bags that can easily hold numerous small finds.
- A tape measure, because you need to make sure that item will fit through your doorway.
- Sunglasses or a hat to keep the sun from obstructing your yard sale view.
- Snacks and water!
