How do you have a yard sale, and do it well?

[kaitala]

I know the premise behind having a yard sale- advertise it, put out your junk, make change, and sell your stuff. However, I only had one before in my life, and didn't do so well.

Does anyone have any tips for being the seller? I'd love input from both sellers and shoppers.

What makes you go to the sale in the first place?

What's the best way to present my stuff (other than the obvious "clean and in decent condition")?

If I know something isn't really valuable (no Monet paintings hiding in the garage), how do I set a price for it?

What things sell best at YS's?

How much stuff is too little to put out, and how much is enough?

I'd really like to declutter, and I don't like the idea of just throwing stuff away, or giving it to a thrift shop to throw away (reportedly, they're always overwhelmed with junk). I have to clean out some kid toys, stuffed animals, baby stuff, yard decor, clothes, interior decor, etc.

Thanks in advance for your replies!

[TigerGirl1226]

Honestly, my first piece of advice is be realistic. Be honest with yourself about what you've got and what it's worth in the YS world. There will always be people complaining about pricing, that's just a fact in YSs. Maybe go to a few before yours to see what the pricing is like it your area.

They are a lot of work and you don' want to go through all the work and not sell well.

Good luck!

[jvera]

Put prices on your items for sale

[nuisance26]

~What makes me stop:
1. Large items close to the road catch my eye.
2. Safe looking location
3. Available parking
4. The host of the sale available
5. Large amount of things for sale

What makes me buy:
1. Finding what I want
2. A seller who leaves me alone except to be available for paying
3. Fair prices
4. Things arranged in general categories(boxes of books, tables of kitchen stuff, tarps of clothes)but not overly organized. Sellers seem to think the value of their items increases when they organize it. It doesn't.

Things that scare me away:
1. Only tables and lots of tables. Many of the tables have grocery store stuff on them. That's a tip off to me that they are a flea market seller, not clearing out their actual unwanted items.
2. A hidden sale behind the house or in the garage or just too far off the road. I don't feel safe walking more than a few hundred feet from my car in some areas.
3. An empty sale. No other cars, no host.
4. Loose dogs.

I've had sales at my house(suburb)and at my mother's house(main route and busy). I've done better on the main route. We have the kind of yard here that I personally would not like to stop at.
When we had the sale at my mom's house I parked my car across the road to signal to everyone that there was a sale.
Have a free box or free pile. The year I did I had people pick up boxes of the free stuff then turn around and purchase a ton of stuff to 'make up' for it. The free pile was just things that would be $.25 or less like torn paperbacks, baskets, happy meal toys, etc.
I'm going to advertise our sale for free this year to see if it brings more people.~

[Pemberleyan]

Nuisance26 has given you some great tips.

I've been to a lot of yard sales over the years and have had a few. Nothing makes me pass by quicker than to see boxes of sundry items or clothes in a disorganized pile on a table or even the ground. It takes time to organize, but I think it's worth it. It's also worth it to wait until you have a substantial amount of stuff. No one wants to stop for one tiny card table of items. If you live in a neighborhood, organize with others to have a multi-yard sale to draw more buyers.

My other tip, PRICE everything! I know a lot of people are into haggling over prices, but I also think that there are other people like me who abhor having to ask the price of every single little item.

I hope you have a successful yard sale.

[kaitala]

Thanks for the replies! Is there a "percentage of retail" that's a rule of thumb? How much haggling do people expect to do?

I know there are no hard/fast rules, but a general idea of what to price things at would help. Regarding being realistic, I know we won't have many things worth more that $5, I'm guessing. The only thing I could see being a high-ticket item is the cart that attaches to a bike to tow your kid in, a Ride 'n' Stride brand. Sells new for $300 or better.

For those who said "prices on items", would marking off "sections" of yard with prices per section be a good thing?

Location for us is pretty good, a few streets from a main intersection. We have a nice area on the side yard of our corner lot that would be fine for it. Plenty of parking. Does it help to have a friend or two come over and pretend to browse around?

What about selling handmade or homegrown articles at them? Anyone do that or buy them?

[joyofsix]

My successful sales have included:
had it during a local 'festival' when there are many people in town
advertised
set attractive, large kid items up front
priced items clearly
hung clothes
used old sheets as cloths on the tables
was willing to negotiate

[Dancing Lotus]

Clean....
If items are dirty I'm turned off.

Don't pester people, I like to be left alone after I am greeted.

I like Universal pricing on items like books, dvd's and clothes. A simple sign saying All books 50cent, All Dvd's 1.00, all kids clothes on this table 50cent with a separate area for things that warrant individual pricing.

If you have a lot of clothes, separate them by size.

Have some bags or boxes available for people who buy a lot.
That about covers it to me

[MaryCarney]

My least favorite thing is all the clothes folded or piled on a table. If there is any possible way to hang stuff up - do it!

And places like Goodwill and Salvation Army DEPEND on donations to fund their job training programs. You can never go wrong donating what is left over.

[heartofmine]

Separating to different parts of the yard and pricing that way is not a good idea because things get moved and you'll end up with a nice item and the person thinks its 50 cents and will argue with you. Price your items individually except for like some said...all books 25 cents, dvd's $1.00...If you have a bunch of kids clothes you can put them on a table or tarp with a sign for 50 cents each but any nice items hang up and price.

Be friendly with people but let them look on their own. If they need help they will ask.

Stay with your stuff. Its very annoying to have to search for the person to pay and even worse when you leave it with someone else and they don't know prices.

I love children but I'm always worried when little ones are running around at the sale so if you have someone to watch your children you might want to do so.

I know some may disagree with me but one thing that bugs the hound out of me is people having yard sales and have their children a lemonade and cookie stand set up and they are walking around bothering customers wanting them to buy from them. Let them set one up and if customers want they will buy...just don't let them bother your customers. This isn't to be mean but some folks have allergies, diabetes and can't have those things.

As far as crafts and handmade items...I've never had any luck. Those do better at craft fairs.

[HisDaisy]

Another thing to consider is what days people ys in your area.
My Dh and I had a ys when me moved a few years ago. We decided to have it on a Friday and Saturday. Friday was great, but Saturday was a flop. We later found out the in that area Thursday and Friday were the standard ys days.

[kaitala]

Thanks for all the replies, everyone!

I have a feeling I'm going to have to have a few to clean out all this stuff, and will be donating what I really don't want anymore after.

Any ideas for how to prep for it and not have my house look like a bomb went off?

[MaryCarney]

well, if you find THAT out, let us know!!!