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The thing about yard
sales/garage sales is that they can be a lot of work with little
return. Most yard sale shoppers are looking for bargains and are not
going to pay you top $'s or anything close to what you even think
your better items are worth. Before you go to all the work, consider
if it would not be beneficial to take some of your stuff to a thrift
store and get a tax docket (deduction) for it. If you have truly
valuable items, list them on EBAY where you have a better chance of
getting a higher price.
If I haven't dissuaded you yet, here are my tips for a successful
yard sale.
1.
Keep several large boxes in an area of your home so that weeks before
your sale, you can simply pop sellable items into the box. If
possible, price all items as you go along. Get every family member to
go through their rooms and donate unwanted and unused items to this
box. Go through each room and if you see anything that you simply do
not love, do not use, or are not sentimentally attached to in some
way, consider these items for your yard sale.
2.
Talk to your friends in the neighborhood about having a block yard
sale. Potential buyers like multi-home yard sales where they can
browse at several close locations.
3.
Choose Spring or Autumn weather - not too hot and not too cold for
you and your potential customers.
4.
Put clearly detailed colorful flyers up around the neighborhood or
place an ad in the local newspaper.
5.
It is important with a yard sale to have everything clearly marked,
so go crazy with little stick-on price tags, or if you prefer, group
like priced items together in boxes - $5 items, $2 items, etc. I
prefer individual pricing as things don't always stay where they were
intended and get mixed up.
6.
Where possible, have items organized on tables. This makes it easier
to see what you have. Group like items together - kitchen items in
one area, books, decorating, etc.
7.
If you have clothing items, hang them up on a portable clothes rack.
It is much easier to look at clothes this way.
8.
Mark everything clearly. If you have linens, have an attached card
that gives the dimensions so there is no having to guess, e.g.,
" Full size comforter set includes ..." Be very clear.
9. Make
sure you have a supply of plastic bags for putting purchases in and
possibly even some bubble wrap for breakables.
10.
Have plenty of change. Get some rolls of coins from the bank before
your sale day and plenty of $1 and $5 notes.
11.
Have extra price tags, a marker, and a calculator
12.
Be sure to have a chair for your comfort, plenty of water, and
snacks. Dress comfortably. Keep all money in a fanny pack on you.
13.
Limit the sale from 8am-2pm, and stick to it.
14.
Before the sale, commit to donating EVERYTHING that does not sell to
a thrift store and take it there as soon as possible after the sale.
Load everything straight into your car and then off-load them the
next day!! Do not be tempted to take anything back into your home.
Remember, this was stuff you were wanting to get rid of.
Finally,
have fun!!!
Merri
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