Every once in a while, one may need to declutter their living space to make more room and get rid of unwanted things. A yard sale is the perfect decluttering solution, which can also make one some money. Here, one can put up functional things that one no longer needs for sale and ask neighbors and friends to visit and shop. Organizing this event doesn’t have to be tricky if one follows a few tips.
1. Get the timing right
A key tip for hosting a successful yard sale is scheduling it on the most profitable days. The weekend is often considered the best time for a yard sale, with most people opting for Saturday mornings. This is because, on these days, compared to weekdays, more people can attend the event and spend time examining things for sale. That said, one can also hold the sale on Friday evenings when people are coming back home from work and experiencing the strong itch of weekend spending. One can also use this fact to their advantage by holding their sales on both Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.
2. Choose the right objects and clean them
One way to make more money at a yard sale is by ensuring that the things one is selling are as appealing to the buyers as possible. So, the first item on one’s yard sale checklist should be looking up what sells best at such events and shortlisting to-be-sold things accordingly. Once that decision has been made, all the objects must be thoroughly cleaned with wipes or a cloth to remove any dust or stains. To buyers, dusty, stained items can be a huge turnoff. Although they are signing up to buy pre-owned things, clean, well-maintained options will likely get more attention.
3. Get neighbors involved
Yard sales can often be opportunities for one to meet their neighbors and get to know them better. One can even ask neighbors to help them set up the yard sale. Alternatively, one could just get neighbors to join in and sell their own items. Such yard sales, often advertised as “neighborhood garage sales” or “multifamily sales,” tend to attract more buyers as they are likely to offer a diverse collection of things. So, getting neighbors involved can be a way to ensure one attracts more buyers and makes more money at a yard sale.
4. Choose the right display setup
Unlike a garage sale, a yard sale is typically held in the open, giving one more space to display items. So, when organizing this event, one must make the most of the available space and choose the right setup that allows buyers to see all products easily. While there are many ways to display items at a yard sale, creating an “aisle” or a path between two rows of objects is one of the best options. Prospective buyers can use these walking spaces to walk around and examine each object closely. Certain objects may look appealing from specific angles, so one must spend some time setting them up in a way that gets them noticed and increases the chances of boosting sales.
5. Use innovative promotional tactics
One must opt for unique yard sale advertising ideas to spread the word about this event and get as many buyers as possible. For instance, one can make colorful digital fliers and promote the yard sale online on group chats or social media. One can also create an ad and get the community newsletter, local paper, church bulletins, and free online advertisement sites to post it. Another tip here is opting for eye-catching yard sale signs through artwork, balloons, streamers, pamphlets, or flags to get the attention of customers.
6. Set a fair price
If one is wondering how to price items for a yard sale, one can follow the thumb rule here, which is not to sell them for more than 1/10th of the retail price. Given that one is selling pre-owned items at a yard sale, one must not set store-like prices. If certain objects are highly desirable or collectibles, then they can carry a bigger price tag. That said, the prices should not be unreasonable enough to deter buyers, as they are unlikely to buy things sold at store-like prices at a yard sale. Fair pricing is the only way to sell more items and make money. If the goal is to get rid of as many things as possible, one should be ready to negotiate. An additional tip here is to mention the price of each item using labels. This way, one does not have to keep repeating these details whenever a new buyer visits.
So, choosing the right sale day, object display, price, and promotion is crucial for organizing a profitable sale. Another tip for hosting a successful yard sale is to be patient and responsive. Potential buyers tend to ask many questions before purchasing an item, especially when it is a used object without a manual or guide. Addressing all buyer concerns and answering their questions as politely as possible can encourage buyers to make purchases.