10 Tips for a Successful Yard Sale

10 Tips for a Successful Yard Sale

Do you have things lying around your house that could go, but are still worth something? A yard sale is a great way to get rid of things you don’t need anymore. But, beware, yard sales take a lot of planning and work. Here are 10 tips for a successful yard sale.

1. Schedule your sale.

Look a few weeks ahead. Find a free day, when you have no other obligations. If your neighborhood has a large combined sale, join in. This type of sale tends to attract crowds and that’s what you want.

2. Advertising is the key to success.

List your sale online, in your local paper, and on posters throughout the area. Let people know you are out there.

3. Make sure all sale items are clean and working.

People will not spend even a quarter on things that are dirty or need repair.

4. Pricing everything will save you time answering questions.

It will also convey to the buyers your expectations. Pricing doesn’t mean you won’t bargain. It’s just a starting point.

5. Display items so it’s easy to shop.

Hang clothing on a rack. Set up tables for small items. Sort everything into like items so you have a display of electronics, toys or books, etc.

6. Open early.

Serious shoppers start early, so you should too. Completely set up the day before and be ready to go when the sun comes up.

7. Make the shoppers welcome.

Greet everyone with a “Hello”. Offer coffee to the early birds and water later in the day.

8. Have a handle on the money.

Prepare for your sale with lots of change and one-dollar bills available. Don’t accept checks. Have a cash drawer (or shoe box) to store money and keep an eye on it throughout the day.

9. Realize that the goal is to get rid of your stuff.

As the morning ends put up ½ off signs, and be open to those who want to haggle on price.

10. Have a plan for the items that don’t sell.

Several weeks before, call a charity and arrange for a donation pick-up for the day after your sale. Don’t bring things back into your house.

Use these 10 Tips for a successful yard sale.  Good luck!

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Janet Schiesl

Janet Schiesl

Janet has been organizing since 2005. She is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Basic Organization.

She loves using her background as a space planner to challenge her clients to look at their space differently. She leads the team in large projects and works one-on-one with clients to help the process move quickly and comfortably. Call her crazy, but she loves to work with paper, to purge what is not needed and to create filing systems that work for each individual client.

Janet is a Past Board Member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals and a Past President of the Washington DC Chapter of NAPO were she has been named Organizer of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

Janet Schiesl

Janet Schiesl

Janet has been organizing since 2005. She is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Basic Organization.

She loves using her background as a space planner to challenge her clients to look at their space differently. She leads the team in large projects and works one-on-one with clients to help the process move quickly and comfortably. Call her crazy, but she loves to work with paper, to purge what is not needed and to create filing systems that work for each individual client.

Janet is a Past Board Member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals and a Past President of the Washington DC Chapter of NAPO were she has been named Organizer of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

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