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Yard Sale ??'s
Yard Sale ??'s
I am going to have a yard sale in a couple of weeks but I have never had or been to a yard sale before. I have a ton of stuff I want to get rid of from two houses. Should I put prices on things? Do most people pay what the price is or do they bargain at a yard sale?? There are a ton of yard sales around here so I will try to stop by a couple this weekend and see what its all about. I have no idea what prices should be.
Any suggestions?? Thanks!
Any suggestions?? Thanks!
Julie
Live from St.John
Facebook Group
Definitely put prices on things. If you don't want to label things individually, either put colored stickers on everything and post an explanatory sign(red sticker equals $1 etc), or group items on tables where everything is the same price.
If you are selling clothes it helps to hang them on a line. Also, people are more inclined to browse through items if they are at a comfortable level aka on a table rather than on a cloth on the ground.
Keep like items together: baby, electronics, kitchen, etc. Don't put out dusty or dirty items. Clean them and they'll sell faster.
People will start showing up way before your start time--like hours before. These are the diehard yardsalers and the professional dealers/resellers. Up to you whether to let them buy then or not. And yes, be prepared to bargain.
Based on the yard sales I have helped with, the best selling items are gently used toys, sports equipment, small kitchen appliances (but not so much glassware), and electronics. Books don't sell well. Baby clothes sell well, adult clothes not so much. Costume jewelry is fairly popular. Furniture tends to go towards the end of the sale unless you have something special that will get snagged by a dealer right at the beginning.
Finally, arrange for a charity service to come by at the end of the sale to pick up whatever doesn't sell so you don't have to lug everything back into the house. In MA there is a veterans services truck that will come. And remember to take down your street signs when the sale is over.
If you are selling clothes it helps to hang them on a line. Also, people are more inclined to browse through items if they are at a comfortable level aka on a table rather than on a cloth on the ground.
Keep like items together: baby, electronics, kitchen, etc. Don't put out dusty or dirty items. Clean them and they'll sell faster.
People will start showing up way before your start time--like hours before. These are the diehard yardsalers and the professional dealers/resellers. Up to you whether to let them buy then or not. And yes, be prepared to bargain.
Based on the yard sales I have helped with, the best selling items are gently used toys, sports equipment, small kitchen appliances (but not so much glassware), and electronics. Books don't sell well. Baby clothes sell well, adult clothes not so much. Costume jewelry is fairly popular. Furniture tends to go towards the end of the sale unless you have something special that will get snagged by a dealer right at the beginning.
Finally, arrange for a charity service to come by at the end of the sale to pick up whatever doesn't sell so you don't have to lug everything back into the house. In MA there is a veterans services truck that will come. And remember to take down your street signs when the sale is over.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
Becky, thanks so much! Awesome info! I'm having this yard sale on the Cape so I can take everything that doesn't sell to the "Treasure Chest" it's part of the transfer station (nice name for the dump).
I actually think a lot of people go there and take everything (it's all free) then have their own yard sale
I actually think a lot of people go there and take everything (it's all free) then have their own yard sale
Julie
Live from St.John
Facebook Group
Haha you are probably right!
I thought of one more thing: if you are selling anything electronic, make sure to have an outdoor extension cord plugged into your outside outlet and available so you can prove the item works. People will ask to see that the item is working, and you definitely don't want to let anyone inside your house during the sale.
Two more things: don't forget to go to the bank and get lots of quarters and singles for your "yard sale bank." And, if you have bags available for people's purchases, like plastic grcoery bags, people appreciate that. Good luck!
I thought of one more thing: if you are selling anything electronic, make sure to have an outdoor extension cord plugged into your outside outlet and available so you can prove the item works. People will ask to see that the item is working, and you definitely don't want to let anyone inside your house during the sale.
Two more things: don't forget to go to the bank and get lots of quarters and singles for your "yard sale bank." And, if you have bags available for people's purchases, like plastic grcoery bags, people appreciate that. Good luck!
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
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Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:40 pm
- Location: Madison Area, Wisconsin
Three more things:
Keep your money with you (I've used a fanny pack) and not in a cash box.
Be sure someone is ALWAYS out there. I made the mistake once of leaving to go to the bathroom and some stuff got stolen.
If you have small, cheap children's items that you know won't bring in much $$, put out a box for little ones with a sign that says "Take one, they're free."
I agree 100% with Becky's list of things that do and don't sell.
Keep your money with you (I've used a fanny pack) and not in a cash box.
Be sure someone is ALWAYS out there. I made the mistake once of leaving to go to the bathroom and some stuff got stolen.
If you have small, cheap children's items that you know won't bring in much $$, put out a box for little ones with a sign that says "Take one, they're free."
I agree 100% with Becky's list of things that do and don't sell.
Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
Missing St. John. As always.
Missing St. John. As always.
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chicagoans
- Posts: 1586
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: IL
ditto all the above, plus...
when I advertised a yard sale I specified hours of something like 8 to noon. What a waste. I made about $400 from 7:30 am until about 8:30, then probably $20 for the rest of the time. I told myself if I ever do it again, I'll start early and go no more than 2 hours because the last few hours were wasted. As mentioned above, the hard core people come early.
Some people bargained and others just paid the prices I marked. I had already marked things pretty low, but if someone wanted to buy multiple things I'd give them a lower price.
At that time I was selling lots of large baby stuff (joggers, strollers, high chair, etc.) and made sure everything was as clean as possible.
when I advertised a yard sale I specified hours of something like 8 to noon. What a waste. I made about $400 from 7:30 am until about 8:30, then probably $20 for the rest of the time. I told myself if I ever do it again, I'll start early and go no more than 2 hours because the last few hours were wasted. As mentioned above, the hard core people come early.
Some people bargained and others just paid the prices I marked. I had already marked things pretty low, but if someone wanted to buy multiple things I'd give them a lower price.
At that time I was selling lots of large baby stuff (joggers, strollers, high chair, etc.) and made sure everything was as clean as possible.
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Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:40 pm
- Location: Madison Area, Wisconsin
Just remembered a funny moment at my last garage sale 10 years ago. I was chatting with a neighbor and shared with him that whatever didn't sell is going to be picked up by the Salvation Army Monday morning. He shouted to the non-existent crowd in my yard:
"Make an offer now, because in two days it's going to be given away for free!"
"Make an offer now, because in two days it's going to be given away for free!"
Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
Missing St. John. As always.
Missing St. John. As always.
I am hoping someone just bought a cottage and will need it.As long as you realize that you won't get nearly what you paid for, you'll be fine. I would price low from the beginning unless it is a special item, leaving a bit of negotiating room.
Later on if you wait to reduce prices, most people will have already been by and won't even see the lower prices.
The last hour or two, just say everything 50 % off.
We have sold lots of books, we do a group yard sale for my GS troop...but we price all books the same...like 50 or 25 Cents cents for older paperback or $1 for hardback and current paperback.. They will sell.
We usually make about $700 each time, but it is a group effort.
Later on if you wait to reduce prices, most people will have already been by and won't even see the lower prices.
The last hour or two, just say everything 50 % off.
We have sold lots of books, we do a group yard sale for my GS troop...but we price all books the same...like 50 or 25 Cents cents for older paperback or $1 for hardback and current paperback.. They will sell.
We usually make about $700 each time, but it is a group effort.
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."