It is nearing yard sale season! Do you like to shop at yard sales or host your own? Enjoy these tips for hosting a successful yard sale. My sister, Laurel is a yard sale expert and I asked her to share with me some tips for having a successful yard sale. She hosts several a year and does really well. I asked her to share with me some of her tips and I am excited to share them with you!
Tips for Hosting a Successful Yard Sale
1. Price everything reasonably. When you set your prices think of what you would pay for the item before you price it. Affordable items sell!
2. Price everything beforehand. There is nothing worse than going to yard sales where nothing is priced. Try to put your items out in reasonably neat piles or on tables when possible. There is nothing worse than going to a yard sale where everything is just thrown on the ground and you have to dig through it.
3. Be sure to have plenty of advertising. Put it in your local newspaper, and put plenty of signs up, it pays off.
4. Expect people to come earlier than your advertised starting time so be prepared. Always have your tables and boxes set out under the tables the night before and pre-priced so it doesn't take long to set it all out.
5. Get a change box. Have plenty of change before hand so you can give the first couple of customers the change they need.
6. Recruit help. Never do one by yourself. Have at least one person to help you.
7. Put up a canopy for shade. This will draw attention to your yardsale and people appreciate being able to shop in the shade, especially when it is hot outside.
8. Don't have your yard sale on the porch unless that is the only place you have. People are less likely to stop if it is in the garage also.
9. Offer baked goods or drinks for something extra or different. Know when to pack it in, time wise and when it looks kind of scraggly and you don't have much left outside.
10. Also watch young children and pets. It is best not to allow children to be out for safety reasons, especially when you get busy and never allow animals out for liability and safety concerns.
Do you have any tips for hosting a successful yard sale?
Melissa is a soccer mom who has been married to her best friend for 22 years. She loves sharing recipes, travel reviews and tips that focus on helping busy families make memories.
Sara
We just had one this past weekend (until it got rained out--boo) and were fairly successful. Most of what we were selling were baby clothes. I think it is important to remember that you will not receive a high percentage of the original price. For instance, I may have paid $10 for the kids' pajamas, but I'm pricing them at .50 or $1.
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
That is a great reminder. I am glad you had success!
Cynthia
We are hoping to have a yard sale with friends this spring or summer, so thanks for the tips!
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
You are very welcome!
Jennifer
My neighbor wanted to have a yard sale, so she let the neighbors know. She delivered a paper that said "Yard Sale on July 15th. Let me know if you want to join me". She had some people interested so they then advertised it as a "street sale" and got a good crowd.
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
That is a great tip! Thanks for sharing!
diane
Melissa, I had alot of garage sales in my life. When a person picks up an item, They must like it. Make a deal, Nobody would touch an item if they did not like it. Offer less money and make a deal if they buy this item, I'll give you this for free. Everybody loves an item for free. They will buy it, If you give them a free gift. It works every time for me.
Melissa@StockpilingMoms
Great tip Diane!