HINTS FOR PLANNING A SUCCESSFUL YARD SALE
If any of you have been thinking about holding a yard sale but not quite sure exactly where to start or what to do? I have conducted many yard sales and garage sales both in New Hampshire & MA and I have learned something different from every one that I have conducted. What I am about to share with you are only from my experiences of running Yard / Garage and Indoor Sales.
Make or Buy Signs with the Statement “Yard Sale” with the time you plan on having it. You may advertise in your local newspaper if you wish to spend a little money. This advertisement of your yard sale may be worth the money. “Hard Core” Yard Sale People do map out where they plan to hit the evening prior to this event.
Saturday’s are the Best Day and I would not conduct a yard sale on a Holiday weekend. Holiday Weekends are usually planned for Family activities & getaways. As for scheduling a yard sale the best time is between 8:00am to 2:00pm. However, if your residence is on a busy / main street, and the weather is fine and people are continuously stopping, then I do suggest that you increase your stay (you will sell more items).
I would suggest that you check your local newspaper and see what other yard sales are being held in your general vicinity. It is best to set tables out on your lawn preferably with (paper) tablecloths, this enhances the presentation of your items.
Please keep in mind that: People who attend yard sales are looking not just for good deals but for “Great Deals.” The first thing you should do is to sort out all items that you wish to sell and set a price on these items. If your items are similar to what is being presently sold in retail stores then you must be competitive with emphasis of Retail Price, How old is your item, what Condition is it in and does it Work!
Please keep in mind that whatever sticker price you set for these items, yard sale customers will always offer you a lower amount and therefore you have a right to counter-offer unless you just want to get rid of it and let them have it for the price of their offer. Also bear in mind ~ the less that you have to pack up and store it back in your home again can become frustrating, so give this some thought.
I have run Successfully conducted Garage Sales at the end of February and thru the Month of March. Customers were actually Thanking me for the opportunity for them to leave their home in winter had given them a place to come go. The Advantage of conducting Garage Sales is that they are so convenient to hold in the winter because the weather is not a factor for rain, shine or even snow, Garage Sales still may be held in any weather. After advertising in my local newspaper, and when customers would call me for directions I would suggest for them to dress warm, after all it is a “Garage Sale.”
One more tip that will help you is to have a couple of $20.00’s a couple of $10.00’s a couple of $5.00’s and 10 one’s and some quarters on your person. This will prepare you for customers who may need change.
Submitted by Jeannie Brunelle, Lowell Highlands resident
