Spring is not too far away, and thoughts often turn toward warmer weather and spring cleaning. Spring cleaning equals yard sale! Yard sales can be fun and can have the potential of substantially adding to your bottom line. There are a few guidelines, however, that will assist in making it a successful sale!
BEFORE THE SALE:
• Make sure you know whether or not your area requires a permit in order to hold a yard sale.
• Make sure to sell items that have gone unused for awhile instead of letting them take up unnecessary space.
• Pick your sale dates. The most popular days are Thursday through Saturday on a non-holiday weekends.
• Advertise your sale: newspapers, internet, signs etc. Balloons and arrows are great as well.
• Invite neighbors, friends and relatives to join in on the sale and give them a share of the sale of their items. The more stuff you have the better!
• Price everything! Use permanent markers or removable self-adhesive labels.
SETTING UP
• Make sure the selling space is clean! Mow the lawn! No one wants to approach a dirty yard!
• Dirty items should be cleaned before being displayed.
• Display like items together (i.e. kitchen stuff on one table, music and videos in one box etc.)
• Smaller, more expensive items should be kept close by in order to prevent theft or damage.
• Arrange your selling space so that it creates an even traffic flow.
• Remove items you don’t want to sell.
IT’S YARD SALE TIME!
• The big day has arrived so be sure you are prepared.
• Have an abundant supply of coins and small bills
• NEVER leave your money unattended. Wear a fanny pack, smock or carpenter’s apron.
• Avoid accepting personal checks.
• Have plenty of bags, boxes and material for packing breakables.
• Don’t let strangers into your home unless the sale continues inside and someone in supervising indoors.
• Prevent hassles, put up a “All Sales Final” sign.
• Create a pleasant atmosphere with soft music, a positive attitude and a SMILE!
AFTER THE SALE
• Consider donating unsold items to charity.
• Remove all signs.
• Clean up .
• Make sure anyone who has contributed to the sale gets their share of their sold items.
