How to Have a Successful Yard/Garage Sale



Early, early, early!



So.. you have started your spring cleaning and realized that you have more and more extra stuff accumulating in the garage or the spare room.  It has value, so you cannot just throw it away, so what to do?  Donate it?  Give it away?  Perhaps your best option is hosting a yard sale.



Here are a few tips that can assist you in holding a successful yard sale:

1.  Determine your goals.  Does the thought of lugging all your junk back into the garage or house drag you down?  Then keep your prices quite cheap.  Perhaps you are trying to earn enough for a new lawnmower.  Then make sure your prices are fair and have some bigger ticket items to sell. A general rule of thumb is to price items at 1/3 of the retail value when new.



Street sales can bring BIG crowds

2.  Pick the right date.  You'll likely want to choose a date when it is somewhat warm (May through September, in Ontario), a weekend, and a date that is not competing with any other major community function like Oshawa's Ribfest (unless you live by Lake Ontario).

3.  Encourage neighbours to participate.  What's better than a yard sale?  Five yard sales!  You will generate much more traffic to your sale if you have a "street sale" or "block sale".  Just make sure you have encorporated each of these tips so your buyers stop at your table.

What, when, and where.

4.  Advertsise and promote.  Post at your local supermarket.  Free ads on kijiji and craigslist.  Don't forget to promote it locally on this facebook group.

5.  Understand your location.  If your home is on a busy street and/or parking is difficult, consider moving your cars so people have a place to park.  Think like the customer.  Would you stop if it were inconvenient?  

Live in suburbia? Street signs become much important if you live on a secluded court or you are off the beaten path.  Make street signs crisp, clean, and clear, with an address, and directional arrows.



Making a presentation



6.  Early bird gets the worm. Open early!  Garage sale hunters know the best bargains are scooped up within the first hours, and these early birds are hawks.  Cater to them.  They'll likely be your best customers.  Have change ready, you don't take VISA.

 

7.  Make a presentation.  Spread out your items on tables so they are easily seen, and can be easily browsed.  Price items clearly so customers don't have to search.  If they cannot see a price, they might put it down, and move on.



Leave the junk to Fred Sanford



8.  Don't make it a full-time business.  Once or twice a year should suffice.  If you hold one every weekend, word will get out that you are essentially Fred Sanford and nothing of value.  In fact, your neighbours will likely not appreciate the new business on the block, and neither will the city.

-Stephen

http://www.getstephen.com/