It's the most wonderful time of the year:
GARAGE SALE SEASON!
What, you thought I was going to say something else?
If you're like me, getting rid of clutter and making a little money at the same time is it's own reward. Over the years, we've had plenty of yard sales and I've leared a thing or two.
Read on for a few tips on what's worked for me when it comes to having a successful yard sale.
- What to Sell: Stuff you haven't used in a year or more. That cheerleading costume from 2005? It goes. The collection of photo albums you bought on sale and meant to fill with pictures back in 2009? Gone. All those craft supplies that were on sale at the craft store and you meant to make a Pinterest-worthy collage but never did? See ya! Get rid of it. Remember, you can keep the memory...just let go of the stuff.
- How to Price: Get ahold of those colorded tags from a big box store and tag as many items as possible. Remember, every shopper loves a bargain--and your junk is someone's incredible treasure. Price your things at 50-70% of retail and let them go with a quickness.
- How to Display: Group similar together, because yard-sale shoppers are more likely stop for full tables. Dealers and collectors visit sales, so make sure your one-of-a-kind items are clearly visible. Dressers, bookcases, baskets, tables, toys, and tools also attract traffic. And if you're selling appliacances, make sure they work. If they don't, add a little note so people know if they are repairable or not. Clean everything. Items sorted by size and type and organized on shelves or rack fetch higher prices. Clearly mark your sales area. If you have a sale in your garage, cover anything you want to keep.
- How to Advertise: online, online, online is the way to go. Nextdoor, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist...all of those sites are excellent when it comes to advertising your yard sale and best of all, they're free! You may also want to place an ad in the newspaper. You might even partner with neighbors and split the cost--neighborhood sales are the best! Don't be afraid to make neatly lettered signs to direct traffic to your house (but take them down when the sale is over).
- When to Sell: Check the weather when planning your sale. Even if your sale is indoors, bad weather keeps customers home. Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. is often the best time for a sale, but in some places, people favor Thursday or Friday sales. Then again, dedicated yard-salers won't really care--they just want to cruise around and shop the local sales.
- What to Do with Leftovers: Either give them away or have them picked up by a charitable organization (and be sure to keep your receipt for tax time).
And there you have it! If yard sale season speaks to you, I'd love to know what your biggest yard sale score ever was. Drop me a line and let me know!
With gratitude,
Miriam
