Almost everyone has had a yard sale or two at some time or another. But many complain about having too many leftovers and not enough customers. Well, I will tell you the best way to have a successful sale.
First, you need to go through your inventory and make sure it is in good condition. Pricing the items helps at the time of sale, this way you won’t be put on the spot and negotiations are easier when you aren’t put on the spot. Next make large bright and many signs for your sale. Placing an ad on craigslist or in the newspaper helps bring customers to your sale. If you do place an ad on craigslist you can add a few photos to give your potential customers an idea of what you have. Most importantly plan your sale in advance and make sure you have tables and clothes racks to display items and have clothes neatly displayed. Try not to have things thrown in bids for people to look at or laid on a table cloth on the ground. Most people will not want to fumble through stuff in a bid or bend over or kneel down to look at items on the ground. This is a turn off for most people.
Next display like items together. For example display all toys together and then house hold items on another table.
Don’t cram too many things on one table and make sure your sale is easily accessible for all customers. Don’t have things on a porch or back deck. You don’t need anyone falling on your property. Place your sale as close to the road as possible and try to allow for parking. The best days for a sale are Friday and Saturday and start around 9 am. Most sales start at this time and customers visiting many sales will be out at this time. Most importantly make sure you will have good weather for your sale. Try not to have a sale on a day that there is a chance of rain because most likely it will rain sometime on your sale. Also, try not to have it on a real hot day. If you do you can have a cooler of ice with bottled water and sodas for sale for extra money. Also, if you have a youngster they can have a lemonade table and make their own little money. It is helpful to have an adult or two to run the sale because if you do get busy you don’t want people waiting too long for your help then walking away because they ran out of patience. I think being organized will help a sale be successful so plan ahead and if you need to reschedule because of rain make sure if you placed an ad on craigslist or in the newspaper you add a rain date. Good luck and sell your stuff.
