If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the clutter in your home, or you’re trying to ease the burden of having so many belongings before moving home, then a yard sale is a fabulous strategy to create some space in your life.
The greatest benefit is that you can sell or give away the majority of unwanted items in just a few hours.
Here are nine tips for running a yard sale. However, you may want warmer weather to attract the crowds!
Promote it – Spend a little time on signage to catch the attention of passers-by. You should also use neighborhood chat groups on social media platforms to promote your yard sale.
Drinks and cookies – Another good way to lure in buyers is to offer refreshments.
Free box – Consider placing a box labeled “Free” near the sidewalk to act as a loss leader to get people to stop. Once they’ve walked up to look at the freebies, they’re more likely to browse the items you’re selling.
Curate and clean – First impressions matter. If an item is covered in thick dust or buried in a box, people will assume it’s junk. A quick pass with a damp cloth can literally double the perceived value of a lamp or a toy.
Group items – Create departments, such as kitchenware and kids’ clothes, as this will make the sale feel a little more “boutique” rather than like a scavenger hunt.
Price clearly – Use stickers or painter’s tape to mark each item. You could use a color code, too. Red stickers mean $1, blue stickers $5, and green stickers $10.
Cash ready – Nothing kills a deal faster than not having change for a $20 bill. Start with at least $50 in small bills ($1s and $5s) and a roll of quarters. Consider apps such as Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle to take money from folks who don’t carry cash. If you’re not familiar with these apps, do a little homework a week before your sale.
Deep discounting – Decide on a markdown strategy to sell as much as possible. Announce that “Everything’s 50% off!” once you feel you’re on the home straight, or you’ve had enough of being asked “how much is this?” when the price is marked clearly!
Sweet deal – A Fill-a-Bag deal is another great way to get rid of the last items.