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it soooo much easier. PRICING - Remember, you are not going to get what you paid for an item (plan to get more like 10% to 50%). If your goal is to get top dollar, you should be selling on eBay or Craigslist.
- For some items, you might want to put up sign that says "Make an Offer." You may actually make more money that way ….. - If you display an eBay printout, make sure that it’s the “SOLD” price, not a “LISTING” price.
- Make sure that you’re not damaging the piece with your price sticker or marker. I usually buy price tags (on string) and/or use - To allow for “negotiating”, mark painters tape that comes off easy. Don’t write on items with a magic the price slightly higher than marker!!! what you want to get for it. Negotiating is part of the fun of a yard sale. Everyone want to feel SCHEDULING like they’re getting “a bargain.” - Yard sale days and times vary, so learn about your area. In my - You’ll want to put a price on area, they are Saturday mornings most items. Some people won’t only. But in other areas they may ask the price if it’s not written on run all day or all weekend. Some the piece and you don’t want to areas hold town/community have to answer, “How much do sales. you want for this?” a thousand times. MARKETING - Include any pertinent information such as date, provenance, what the item is, etc. For example, “local, award-winning artist”, “1800’s electro-therapy machine”, “silver plate server”, etc.. If it is a reproduction, mark it and price it as such
– If they don’t know you’re having a sale, they won’t come!!
- Place an ad on Craigslist and local papers (print and online). Make sure to include all pertinent information. DATE: (Saturday, April 10, 2013), TIME: (9:00AM – 1:00 PM NO EARLY BIRDS!!!) and LOCATION: - You can group items of the same price (books, shirts, jeans, (Specific Address). Also include a etc) and post one sign. For exam- list of types of items that you will ple, hardback books $2.00 each. be selling (Antiques/Collectibles, Art, Toys, Clothing (Identify: Mens, Womens, Children, sizes
and styles), Tools, Household, Electronics, Jewelry, etc.) and specific information, including photos, about some of the more unique and high ticket items. - You can also put up posters, but I find advertising on Craigslist and local papers to be most effective. - Signage: Have plenty of signs, and make sure they are easy to read and sturdy enough to withstand some wind (poster board is not a good option). You can purchase generic YARD SALE signs with ARROWS and “H-Stakes” inexpensively. Search online. They are ready to go, easy to see and you can use them over and over again. You can even loan them to your friends and family. - Place signs in strategic spots such as high-traffic areas and along the route to your house so people won’t miss a turn. Most people use GPS, but some simply follow the Yard Sale Signs. FRIENDS AND FAMILY - Recruit a few friends or family members to participate in the yard sale with you. More people hosting means more items, which will draw a larger crowd…..and, you can all split the cost of the ad and signs. Tip: Mark items with initials or use color-coded price tags so you can keep up with who has sold what. (Continued on page 15)