Running a Successful Yard Sale

When planning a yard or garage sale, you want to optimize your time and make the most money possible. There are a few key things you should do in order for this to happen.

First, you should start making a pile of things you want to sell. Put this in an out of the way spot, such as in your garage or basement. Live without the items for a few weeks. If you didn't look for them, then it wont affect you if you sell them. This is how I test out what to sell. Same applies to my children's toys. Why not sell them to someone that actually wants them? If my kids have not looked for it in 3 to 4 weeks then it is ok to sell. Make sure they are all in selling condition. You might have to wash some of the items to make them more appealing to buyers.

Second, pick the date for your yard sale. Start advertising as much as you can. You can usually post flyers in laundrymats, grocery stores, and gas stations for free. Make signs that sit on metal stakes that you can put on the end of your block to alert epoeple to your sale. You do not have to buy them unless you plan on having a yard sale often. You can make them from wooden slats and cardboard. I have even used pencils to hold them up in a bind!

Third, Mark everything with a price. You can buy inexpensive tags from your local dollar store or office supply store. To save money you can write the price on a piece of tape or tape small sticky note paper to each item.

Fourth, If you can, set up your tables ahead of time in your garage and then just carefully carry them out to your driveway. Even though you list no 'early birds' there are always people that want to jump the gun in order to go through your stuff to try to find the best deals. If you are prepared ahead of time you can put things out a few minutes before your planned start time. Then tie balloons to your sign out in front of your house to draw attention to cars driving by.

Have the essentials on hand so you never have to leave your yard sale. If you leave you run the risk of people possibly taking items. Hard to believe - but it happens. Have a scissor, tape, plastic or paper bags, and maybe a tape measure. If you have large items to sell then maybe have strong string to tie trunks closed with. The more you have on hand the better.

Finally, relax, have fun, and make money. Remember that being negotiable will get the items sold. If you have personal attachment to items it is harder to sell them.