How to Have a Successful Pre-Halloween Yard Sale!

In most States the Weather is starting to get a bit cooler now and in some cases it is down right cold. Normally this would no longer be the season for a Yard Sale in those regions, but if you are in States and Counties where the following things are still permitted you can make a nice Profit with this just in Time for the Season Yard Sale.

Add a Cookie and hot Cocoa Section to your Sale.
First you have to make certain that the City Hall has no Rules against such a Sale from private Parties, but if they don't mind it doesn't matter. By adding fun cookies in Halloween Shapes and warm Drinks like Cocoa, Hot Cider, Coffee or Tea you have something to heat up your potential Costumers and draw in the crowd.

Who doesn't enjoy the taste of nice fresh cookies and the Holiday Cookies are always the best. Keep your Prices reasonable, but don't undercut yourself. The Thumb of Rule for Pricing is: Ingredients plus preparation time ($10.00) plus decoration and packaging divided by amount. That is what you charge per Item.

Decorate in Halloween Style.
Half of the sale is the packaging. A customer is more likely to look at a Sale that is interesting from far away. Think Christmas light or Halloween Decoration. Don't you linger to gaze on them yourself? So why not utilize this little trick for a Sale. Make it look interesting and maybe even dress up in a Period Custom. Cover you Sales Tables with black and orange cloth, set up fake tombstone cutouts and maybe you even want to cut your Sale Announcement Signs in Tombstones or other Halloween Shapes.

Play some spooky music or stories in the background.
Again, the packaging is everything. If you have a helper that is a great Story Teller you may even want to set up a little Story Section for the little ones, make it fun and don't forget to advertise it on your signs. This way the kids are entertained while the parents have time to shop.

Make sure you know what to sell.
Selling Summer Items may make sense to you, but it won't bring you much money during an autumn Yard Sale. Make a list of things you may be interested in purchasing during this Season and then rate your House and Stocks with this list in mind. Halloween Decorations, old Customs that no longer fit you, Christmas Decorations, Nick Knack, Stickers that would work for Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas, Winter Cloth, Warm Weather Items, Household Goods like large serving platters or glass wear. You see where I am going with this. Think Gifts too!

Have Change and Bags available.
You can loose a Sale very quickly if you don't have Change on hand. Most People will not be willing to come back. The Courtesy of having plastic bags will help you out as well. The more professional your sale seems without charging the big prices of Stores, the better off you are and will build a good reputation for the next time.

Think Layout.
If you pay attention in a Store the Items seem to follow very specific patterns that almost lead you from one item to another. Set your layout up to keep the smaller priced item in the front (get attention) and then slowly place the larger or more interesting items to the back but still in good view for the potential Customer. This way they are drawn in by the small items and are curious for the better and bigger ones. This makes them have to pass by the average ones on the way and with that giving them exposure as well. Make sure you have a little bit for everyone available. Just a clothing Sale may not work as well as one that offers household goods, clothe, records, games, music, books and more.

Advertising your Yard Sale!
If you plan ahead you can make it a good one. Why not place an ad in your local rag paper, Penny Savers or equivalent cheap-to-you Papers. Online you can advertise on Craigslist. Make sure you give the Dates, Times and major Cross-Streets. Include an overview of what you are selling and maybe any Gimmick (Story Hour) that you have thought up. Make certain to have those advertisements in place a few days ahead of time.

Signs on major intersections to your place as well as easy to follow directions should be up and in place as well at least the Night before.

The Day of the Yard Sale.
If you have advertised that the Sale starts at 6 am, then make certain ALL your wares are out and in place by that time. I personally will walk away if things aren't ready for the customer. It makes it look as if you don't care and don't have respect for your potential customers time.
Don't look disheveled or grumpy, a smiling shopkeeper always does better then a stressed out one. Make certain you give yourself plenty of time to get things ready, because Murphy's Law states, if something can go wrong - it will. That is as sure as death and taxes.

Pricing your Items.
Make sure all your Items are labeled clearly. If you want 50 cent for a Book make sure it has a sticker on it. Add a couple of cents more to the price tag then you are willing to take. In that case a Customer can "talk you out of" a few pennies and believe that they have gotten a bargain. In reality you will make an extra profit it they don't.

This also allows you to give a small discount for multiple purchases. For example you have priced your Books at 75 cents, but are ok with 50 cents and a customer buys 10 of them you can be generous and give them all 10 Books for $6.00. In reality you made $1.00 more then you expected, but the customer only sees the $1.50 he or she saved. Who knows that may spurn them on to buy just one more item.

I hope this gave you a few Ideas and hints on how to have a successful Yard Sale at this time of the Year. Good luck to you and watch out of Monsters!