Skip to main content

5 Helpful Tips to a Successful Yard Sale

          In most parts of the US, yard sale season will soon be coming to a close. However, for those of you currently hoping to have a yard sale before the season ends, this blog post may just be what you need to make this final yard sale really count. As an experienced yard sale shopper & host, I have gained the knowledge of things one should do or shouldn’t do, in order to have a successful yard sale. I don’t know about you, but as a yard sale shopper it is extremely irritating to be looking for signs while driving and have to worry about signs that are too small, pointing in the wrong direction, not written clearly, or overcrowded with information. So, I have come up with five helpful tips to help those planning to have a yard sale make sure it is a successful experience.

    1)  Ensure you have sell-able merchandise. True, one person’s junk is another person’s treasure, but if it is broken, beaten, ripped, stained or something that realistically will not be sold it is just a waste of your time and energy, as well as everyone else’s. Instead, consider donating it! 

     2) Set reasonable prices. Even if items have a designer label, but are not in great-excellent condition, you cannot expect people to pay the cost of an item that is sold as such elsewhere. It’s okay to do research on your merchandise and set prices accordingly, but just because your item is listed for a particular price on Ebay, does not mean that it actually sells for that price. Let’s face it, people who go to yard sales are looking for a deal, and while I wouldn’t want anyone to get the shorter end of the stick by selling an item for an unreasonable amount, if you want the item sold or are in need of some quick cash, consider negotiating on the price. Otherwise, consider listing it on places like Craigslist. Always ask yourself the following questions: “How much would I be willing to pay for that item?”, “What are my goals for this yard sale (to make money or get rid of stuff?”, and “Is it worth bringing it back in if it doesn’t sell for my desired price?” 

     3) Have a positive attitude and be polite. The old saying is true; you will get further with honey then you will vinegar. I’m not suggesting that you give into unreasonable yard sale customers who are arrogant or rude as they try to get something for nothing, but try to stay positive, polite, yet firm in what you want to do. This is after all your yard sale, your items. However, try again to remember that people have taken the time out of their day to come visit your yard sale. Always say “thank you for coming”, even when people do not buy anything from you. You never know whose day you will bless by this simplest act of kindness. 

     4) Yard Sale Signs. This is a big one. As an avid yard sale shopper, I like to be able to actually find your yard sale. This is not always easy. Do not clutter up your yard sale sign with unnecessary things, such as what items you have, an address, etc. Instead, a simple large sign, written clearly and in bold letters that can be read easily at a distance saying “Huge Yard Sale” with an arrow going in the correct direction will work well. If you want people to show up for your yard sale they have to be able to find it! Drivers do not usually have a lot of time to read a sign, so make it as concise and to the point as possible. Lastly, do everyone a favor and take down your signs afterwards. No one likes driving out of their way for a yard sale that took place weeks prior.


     5) Donate items you do not want to bring back inside your home to charities or donation centers. What touches your heart most? Victims of domestic violence, homeless people, military families, etc.? You would be surprised what donation and charities will happily take your yard sale leftovers and give them to a worthy cause (also tax deductible). For special items you really don’t want to give away, consider listing them for sale on sites such as Ebay or Craigslist. 

         I hope this blog post has been helpful to those of you desiring to end the yard sale season successfully. Feel free to add your yard sale suggestions in the comments below. All pictures and ideas are obtained from myself unless otherwise noted and cited.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dab Herb Makeup and Skincare. An Organic Etsy Shop

Dab Herb Makeup and Skincare ( https://www.etsy.com/shop/DabHerbMakeup ) is my favorite makeup shop offered on Etsy. Crissy, the shop owner, prides herself in offering effective, organic, food-grade ingredients and healthy, responsible containers to store her products in. Her glowing reviews on her shop speak for themselves. Here, the quality is evident and the products work. Her customer service is also remarkable. When I wear makeup, I find myself mostly wearing products from this shop. Let's take a look at Dab Herb's makeup which I purchased. Pictured above is the Organic Herb Foundation. This is my favorite foundation and it offers excellent coverage. For daily wear, I usually prefer less coverage, but when I want to get all glammed up this is my go-to product. It is blendable, buildable and my ideal foundation. The price is great especially considering the organic, food-grade ingredients that were carefully selected to give you unbeatable natural beauty. When compa...
1 comment
Read more

Gather 'Round's Letters and Numbers Curriculum

       First, take a moment to close your eyes and envision your ideal curriculum to teach your child their letters, numbers, sounds, and more. What would it include? Would it contain beautiful water color images to make the lessons come alive to your child? Would it incorporate nature study as your child has opportunities to learn about two new animals each week and interesting facts that capture your child's interest about those amazing animals? Would your ideal curriculum include bible and character study or contain short enough lessons that you can make it as short or as long as you desire? If so, this very well may be the curriculum that you have been looking for!       Letters and Numbers is Gather 'Round's preschool curriculum, which along with their kindergarten curriculum, Ready to Read Program (which starts with Burrows and Holes), can be used for pre-k through first grade! These two curriculum sets are skill based, not grade based, so w...
Post a Comment
Read more

Living An Organic Lifestyle: The Hunt for Organic, Non-toxic Makeup.

Two years ago, I quit wearing makeup due to health and financial reasons. I had learned about the toxic effects that mainstream makeup can pose for one's health and it made me take a careful look at what foods I ate, cosmetics I used, and chemicals I subjected my family and I to. For someone who practically depended on makeup to make me look better than I felt, as I live with a chronic illness, it was challenging to muster up positive self-esteem some days. I began to look as poorly as I felt. As time passed, I began researching organic makeup. As living an organic, healthy lifestyle became so important to me, I knew organic makeup was the way to go. In addition to this requirement, I didn't want any makeup that contained toxic ingredients or that contained ingredients that I was not comfortable with, such as hydrogenated oils. I began my hunt for organic, non-toxic makeup armed with the realization that not all organic makeup is created equal or avoids the use of potent...
1 comment
Read more