Having a Successful Yard Sale

Do you have a ton of stuff lying around your home that you need to get rid of. If you have toys, clothes, pieces of furniture and home goods that are still in good condition, why not have a yard sale and make some money back! Of course you have the option of donating some items, but what do you do with the items that have value,  while they may no longer be useful to you, to someone else they can be a true treasure. Take a look at the tips below to having a successful yard sale.

Pick the Best Yard Sale Items

It may be tempting to just throw everything you no longer want into the “sell” pile, but try to fight that urge. You’ll have a more successful yard sale if you show potential buyers the right stuff, that includes:

• Furniture
• Baby and children’s items
• Sports equipment and memorabilia
• Power and lawn care tools
• Jewelry
• Home décor items

Of course, there are other items you can sell aside from these, but the ones mentioned above are what will draw people in. Remember, no one wants to buy outdated electronics, however, vintage music equipment can be an exception. Other items such as teen and adult clothing may be sold if they still have tags on them, or are designer pieces.

Try to keep in mind, there are some items that should really just be thrown out or recycled. These include any outdated technical manuals, books, newspapers, magazines, as well as any incomplete games/puzzles, VHS and cassette tapes. Once you’ve determined what is junk and have gotten rid of it properly, it will make sorting out the remaining items much easier. From there you should sort out what can be sold and what should be donated.

How to Price Yard Sale Items

Once you’ve decided which items to sell, it’s time to determine the price. When pricing yard sale items, keep these tips in mind:

Don’t be Greedy

Don’t think you’re going to make back what you originally paid for something, or even half that. Remember, whatever you don’t sell is most likely going to be donated, so any money you make is better than nothing.

Cap Prices at $5

Aside from larger items such as furniture, jewelry, or power tools, most people won’t pay more than $5 for something at a yard sale. Price your most valuable items first, and the rest at max $5.

Price Similar Items the Same

For example, if you have a ton of baby/toddler clothing, price them at $1, books price at 50 cents, and so on. This will make things easier for you and any buyers, however it is fine to make exceptions for any items that are in significantly better condition than others in their category.

Don’t Haggle Over Small Things

Haggling over expensive items is expected, but anything under $5 is not worth risking the sale.

Draw People into Your Yard Sale

Now that you know what you’re selling, and for what price, it’s time to organize your yard sale to get the best results.

Know the Rules

Some cities may require permits for yard sales, or have rules about where you can place signs. Check on what your towns rules are to avoid having your yard sale shut down.

Make Simple Signs

Remember, signs should be simple to read, all you need to say is “Yard Sale” along with an arrow and your address. Use large, bold letters and a bright background to make it easier for people passing buy to notice and read. Place your signs at major intersections and around your neighborhood.

Put Items in Categories

Don’t lay out your items randomly, buyers may feel overwhelmed and leave looking at a mess thrown across a table. Help people find what they’re interested in buying by putting items into categories. Kid’s items, furniture, tools, and so on should all be separated.

Let Buyers Test Appliances

Buyers often pass on appliances because they’re unsure whether they work or not. Run an extension cord out to your appliance section so people can test them.

Sell, Sell, Sell!

By choosing the best items, pricing them correctly and organizing you will without a doubt have a successful yard sale! If you find yourself with a ton of clutter you couldn’t put out at your yard sale, and need to dispose of it, call us at Waste Solutions 123 for a dumpster rental! Our affordable dumpsters are perfect for junk removal, call today for a free quote and get started clearing away your clutter!