Hello there! Well, it is summer-time again, and you know what that means...hot and sunny days, tank tops and shorts, the kids off school, construction ... and yard sales!!!

Over the last 15 years I have personally had 3 private yard sales, and been in 3 multi-family street sales. Recently, a friend asked me for advice about how to have a good yard sale...so I thought I would share this wih all of you!

Yard sales (garage sales) remind me of a simpler time...a time before gas cost an arm and a leg and a time before ebay. The nice thing about selling / buying on ebay is that it can be done at any time (not just on weekends), it can be done during any season (not just summer), and you don't have to drive to get there.

But some items are too big to sell on ebay, or are just too much trouble to try to ship. Sometimes a yard sale is the perfect thing to clear out some of the clutter! The following is a bunch of ideas and reflections about yard sales...what works and what does not work. Don't take it as a 100% guide...what does not sell well in my part of the country may sell geat for you...but generally, I think these tips should help both novice seller facing their first sale, and experienced sellers...maybe you'll see something here that will help you.

1. SIGNS...your advertisements!

Use bright neon-colored paper for signs to attract attention and guide people to your sale. Consider adding a few balloons to the sign to add extra-eye appeal.

Remember signs must be highly visible but also legible (this means probably don't let the kids do it), make sure the letters are big enough (done in bold in black marker) and directional arrows to your sale point the way they should...

I HATE poorly done signs...either they are so SMALL that you can't see them (they should be at least bristol board poster sized), or the words are written in pen or thin marker (impossible to read) or the words are so messy or run-together that you can't make them out, or the sign has folded/curled so bad you can't read it. These are yard-sale killers...don't do them!

PUT TIME INTO MAKING YOUR SIGNAGE...it's your advertisement!

BRIGHT color paper, backed with something to keep it from curling (ex. cardboard), hung STRAIGHT, and BOLD easy to READ letters. If you're putting a sign up on a pole that is on someone's property, it is polite to ask them first. You don't have to, but it's a nice touch. Heck, even offer them a $5 credit at your yard sale. Who cares? The goodwill is worth it. (and be sure to take down the sign right away afterwards). This 'goodwill gesture' also goes if you live in a place where parking is difficult. Perhaps if you inform your neighbors ahead of time of your sale (and maybe offer them a small discount too) they won't mind the increased trafic on or near their property for one day.

Also, be sure to take DOWN your signs when you're ready to call it a day. If you can, get someone else to start taking them down about 30 min before you want to stop, otherwise you'll be trying to pack up and people will STILL be coming (and trust me, that's annoying for both you and the buyers). If you can't take them down before you end, then take them down RIGHT AFTER! Don't forget!!! I HATE signs that have been left up! The more this happens (due to laziness or forgetfulness or whatever) the less people believe in signs or take the time to notice them, and the more difficult (and costly) it is going to be to advertise YOUR yard sale!

You can also advertise your sale in a local newspaper...sometimes on bulletin boards. This usually costs money but can be worth it. If you are having a 'street sale' or 'multi-family sale', be sure to advertise that! Buyers will often travel further for sales they think will be better.

2. Things that usually sell well:
-furniture  (ex. chairs, dressers, bookshelves...especially in later summer when kids are going off to college) MAKE A SIGN TO REMIND PARENTS/STUDENTS THAT THESE GENTLY-USED ITEMS MAKE GREAT DORM ADDITIONS)

-pots, pans, cookware, dishes, etc (same thing, close to the time kids are going away - DITTO FOR THE SIGN)

-tools, lawnmowers, fans, small appliances etc. (Have a test-plug ready, or some way of showing how great they work. If you don't have the original instructions for an appliance or tool, try 'googling' it -before your sale- and seeing if you can print out instructions or something like that to add onto the item. A simple thing, takes just a little time, but can be the difference between a sale and no sale.

-toys (generally, make 'em cheap, or if you have a ton of like, McDonald's happy-meal toys, consider selling them for like (max) 10-25 cents for one, 5 for $1.00 or "fill a bag" for a certain low price. I had so many of these small toys at my last sale that I actually sold them BY THE POUND, with a little weigh scale and 'fill-a-bag').

3. COOL EXTRAS:

~ Consider making up "girls" or "boys" surprise grab bags full of toys and also stop by the local dollar store for cheap add-ins like stickers or something like that. Just get brown paper lunch bags, spend a few minutes with poster paint or color markers or stickers or a stamp-pad and decorate up the bags really fun...maybe tie them shut with curling ribbon....blue and yellow for boys, pink and purple for girls. Put a recommended age on the bag too if you like...just be sure that bags do not contain small parts for kids under age 3!

~ If it's a warm/ nice/ hot day, consider having a cooler filled with ice and selling pop or water for whatever you think is a good price...50 cents or a dollar. People will like that. We've bought from people who also had small saran-wrapped plates of cookies or small cakes (for like $1 - $3 each) at yard sales. These baked good sell especially well if you can get grandma to watch that table (or borrow an elderly neighbor)...this evokes warm-fuzzy feelings of "home baked like grandma used to make". Trust me, it works.

~ Also consider...you gotta eat, and most garage sales go on easily from 8am till 2pm or longer, so put together a BBQ. What the heck...you're eating anyway so offer burgers / hot dogs for like a buck to three bucks each to sell to hungry customers. Usually you get yard-salers who have been going since 7am and it's now 11:30 and they could use a bite! It's not really a waste of your time even if no one buys as you will be eating it anyway!

4. Buddy-system:

Hosting a yard sale can be tough work...be sure to have at least one 'buddy' to help you. Best if you can get the whole family involved, or if you are having a muti-family sale, this works well too. This increases customer service (ex. someone to help carry something to a customer's car)...faster check-out times (no waiting)...and is good for loss-prevention (yes, some people actually try to steal from yard sales!)

If you are involving the whole family, have someone look after any young children. You don't want them running around, possibly breaking things or getting hurt!

Be SURE that all prices are clearly marked...this not only helps the customer but helps your buddy when you are busy and someone asks your partner / helper the price of something.

Also be sure that you have lots of change and small bills. Yes, some customers will buy a 25 cent mug and give you a $20 bill. Be prepared. Consider having the money kept on your person at all times (ex. a 'bum bag') and not in an easy-to-steal till or money box.

5. Special Note: Clothing

Clothing is usually REALLY hard to sell at yard sales. Most sellers want way too much for them and/or, most buyers want to pay way too little.

I see it as this...if it's REALLY nice (good shape) you wouldn't sell it if it still fit you. It doesn't fit any more (adults or kids) then it's no good to you. You either sell it for very little (25 cents to a buck) or you donate it to a charity for nothing.

If it's super high quality (really expensive) AND in good shape, you're better off selling it on ebay.

If it's just like, cheap stuff, or a bit used / worn (pickers, a small stain, shrunken) prepare to practically give it away, or even just make up a FREE TABLE or bin and do give it away. This saves you from having to gather it all up and donate it later.

Presentation is very very important. Don't let it get too cluttered or piled on top of each other. Make it look enticing and a great price! Many people don't like to feel like they're buying second-hand clothes when the previous owners are right there...

Definately make it easy for them...if you have the time, displays are a great selling tool! 
Ex... a display of kids clothes put with kids toys...clothing either hung on hangers on a rack (not too tightly packed together) or spread out on a blanket (folded or ironed even)...as long as people can see them very quick and very easy and there is very obvious signage saying how CLEAN and GREAT SHAPE and CHEAP (or use other word) the clothes are. Maybe even FILL A BAG for $....?

6. Bad things:
-if it is super-hot, expect poor sales
-if it is rainy or cold or windy, expect poor sales. Maybe you have to cancel (if you do and you have advertised in the paper, BE SURE TO PUT UP A SIGN at your address or location declaring that "you have found the right place but yard sale cancelled due to rain...see you next weekend, same time same place! Thanks"
-often times, "fads" (which includes fad exercise stuff or fad-appliances) don't sell well. After a fad is finished (and before it becomes 'vintage' or 'collectible') it is largely considered to be 'uncool' or 'useless' for a number of years. Maybe try to sell it at your yard sale (but expect low prices)...or maybe hold onto for 15-20 years and try to sell it on ebay for bigger bucks.

I hope that you have enjoyed this guide about "how to have a better yard sale". If you liked this, please vote "YES"... it was helpful! Thank you, and good luck with your sale!