Sell Like a Pro at Your Next Yard Sale

Conducting a yard sale is something everyone can do. The key is to creating an environment where your prospective buyers have fun searching through your items. The more enjoyable your sale is, the more money you’re likely to make.

• Determine why you are having a garage sale. How quickly you need to part with your garage sale items will play a large role in your pricing. It pays to price your items low so they sell. If you are looking to get the most for your merchandise, you may want to sell online.
• Make sure to have some cash on hand. Many of your items will be priced for a few bucks so you’ll need some change. Get 25-50 $1 bills, a couple of rolls of quarters and a few $5 and $10 bills as well.
• If you don’t advertise, they won’t find you. Go around your neighborhood and put up some clear, readable signs featuring big bold type. You can also place an ad in the newspaper or on a website that caters to your local market.
  
• Set up in a front yard or driveway. People don’t want to venture into your garage or backyard. Your sale needs to welcome them by offering an inviting spot to check out your merchandise.
• Talk about your rules before the sale. You’ll need to work out some ground rules with people you’re working with such as your bargaining policy, never leaving money unattended, and that nobody will say anything negative about the items for sale.
• Pretend you’re a customer. Walk around your sales area and see how comfortable it is to walk through and around the merchandise. Is everything clearly visible? Are the items priced right? Now’s the time to make changes that will increase sales.
• Display items to their advantage. Ensure your items are easily seen by everyone by displaying them properly. Use shelves, tables and stands to make your items seen.
• Promote your big ticket items. Your more expensive items should be properly displayed with all pieces, if applicable, in a more central location so everyone visiting your yard sale can see them.
• Prove electronic items work. When you are selling any item that functions on electricity, always have an extension cord and electrical outlet not too far away. People want to see the item work before parting with their hard earned cash. Also, for the same reason, make sure to keep some batteries on hand.