Simply Thrifty

Hold A Better Yard Sale

by Jennifer on August 18th, 2008

My grandma was a wee bit garage sale obsessed; she held them, went to them, loved them, and usually took me along for the ride. Although I don’t love them quite like she did, I’ve had my fair share of experience with them. If holding a yard sale is still in the works for your end of summer, here are some tips that can make it better:

Price items higher then you’re comfortable with: Oddly some people will pay more then you think. More importantly, one reason people come to a garage sale is to haggle prices. Don’t go crazy, but do price items more than you want to at first.

Have a free box: Some people feel REALLY guilty taking something from a free box. That means they’ll also buy something. Make sure to save free box items. If you put them all out at the start of the sale, one guy will make off with all of it.

Provide bags: People won’t buy what they can’t carry. If you’re like me, and only use reusable grocery bags, ask your friends and family to provide you recycled grocery bags - they’ll have plenty.

Put the good stuff away before the end of day one: Most people have sales for two or three days. If you have some nice items that are worth more $, put them away toward the end of day one. People are more likely to haggle at the end of a garage sale day, and you’ll be too tired to resist. If you really don’t want some items haggled a lot, put them up, and take them out again the next morning.

Make it CLEAN: Seriously, you know how many items I’ve seen passed over just for being a little dirty? Many. Yeah, they can clean them once they get home, but if you clean your items first, you’ll sell more and make more $. Than means get the sticky and dust off, wipe off fingerprints, and wash stains out of clothing and textiles.

Make it easy: Organize like you might a real store. Place items so they’re clearly visible, and easy to touch. Some people won’t dig through boxes. Also hang your clothing and textiles on a rod; nothing is more lame than a table top overcrowded with a pile of cloth.

Be nice: As a kid, I’d go to yard sales, as noted with my grandma. Now some little kids steal, but not me, and it got old real quick having adults stare me down like I was about to make off with their 50 cent tea towel. Adults notice this by the way. My grandma was fond of me, (of course) and would always say, ” I’d have bought more, but they were so rude.” Cool lady.  It pays to be nice; literally.

Is a personal yard sale on your end of summer agenda? 

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POSTED IN: Doing it Yourself