If you’re moving this fall, winter, or spring, now is the perfect time to clear out those dark basements, musty attics and scary garages. Think of all the money you’ll save on moving boxes and supplies,along with hourly mover’s costs. Or, maybe you’re just in the mood to clean out and simplify your life, while earning some extra money. Either way, read on to learn how to throw a wildly successful fall yard sale that will leave your neighbors talking.
September and October are both great months for a garage sale. If you’re a dare-devil, push your sale out until November and see what Minnesota weather gives you. Whichever date you choose, just make sure to check the upcoming weather forecast before booking any advertisements.
Consider opening your yard sale between 6-7am, when the hard core scavengers are out and about. Close up shop around noon, and not only will you nudge your shoppers to take action early, but you’ll still have half your day free to enjoy.
If your sale is set for Saturday morning, why not invite your friends, family, and coworkers over for a pre-sale bash. Order them a really yummy pizza, and they might even pay full price for your goods. If some of your big ticket items get sold, celebrate!
Forget what you paid retail for the item, and instead choose a price that’s reasonable for a yard sale. Make sure to put a price tag on everything, and be willing to negotiate. You may want to roll by the bank the day before your sale to pick up some extra quarters and small bills.
Pretend you’re a retail store owner and organize everything at your sale by department. By taking the time to make your tables look good, you’ll build trust with your buyers, which will lead to faster and bigger sales.
Use big bins or plastic boxes to hold similar items that aren’t fragile. Some yard sale shoppers love the thrill of the find, and this method lets them dig till their heart’s content. And, you’ll only need to post one sign with the price, saving you time. As a bonus, you can use these boxes for moving home everything after the event.
When you write up your yard sale flyers and advertisements, remember to mention your big ticket and most popular items first to draw attention. In Minneapolis and St. Paul you can post for free to craigslist, and for a fee to the Pioneer Press. If you use Facebook, make sure to post a few updates about your upcoming sale, and don’t be shy about asking others to share the details with their friends!
Typically, the more simple the sign, the easier it is to read. Post them near busy intersections in your target neighborhoods, and mark on a map where they are so you can easily remove them that afternoon.
Ask your neighbors to join in the sale, and you’ll have an even bigger draw. Advertise together, but keep your actual yard sales on your own properties to keep things as simple as possible.
Garage sales sometimes draw unscrupulous shoppers, especially if you’re selling electronics. Make sure to work in pairs, with one person managing the cash box at all times, and the other teammate can be roaming the sale and answering questions.
It’s bound to happen – the sale ends, and even your best last minute efforts to unload your stuff for pennies on the dollar leaves you with a heap of gently used or just plain junky items. This is a great time to call 1-800-GOT-JUNK? to haul your unsold items to the recycling center, drop them off at a reuse center, or when necessary the dump.
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