HOW. TO TIPS ON HOW TO HAVE A GREAT YARD SALE |
Organization is key to having a successful yard or garage sale. Start preparing long before the event. 1.....Make sure you have your ads at the local paper before their deadline and don't scrimp. you want your ad to stand out.. 2.....Describe the items you with to sell "Sony 25in. color TV, only 3yrs old" instead of just 25 inch colorTV . 3.....Have plenty of signs pointing the way to your home and have balloons or colored streamers outside your home so the driver can see the site easily. 4.....Have price stickers on all items. People hate asking how much and make sure you have lots of change and plastic or paper bags available. 5.....Be prepared to bargain. Don't expect to get the price you are asking. 6.....Have sheets or table cloths on your tables it will make what you're selling look so much more attractive. 7.....Group your prices. Under $1.00. $1.00 to $5.00. etc. 8..... MAKE YOUR YOUR GOODS ARE CLEAN! I can't stress this point enough. Greasy or dusty items will be expected to sell for nothing. You WILL get a higher price for clean items. 9.....Don't ask half the retail price for things you are selling at a yard sale. Twenty five percent of the cost of the item new is what people expect to pay. If you want more take your things to an auction house. Nothing will turn people off more than seeing an item at your sale for$10. that they just saw for $3.00 round the corner. They'll just assume you're asking too much for everything and go else where. 10....Be prepared for people showing up at least an hour earlier than your ad said. If you turn them away you'll lose them. 11....Drop your prices by 25% after the first hour and 50% the second hour. The hour before you finish take offers. If your object is to move the stuff this is the way to go, but if you'd rather not sell it than come down in price that's your choice. 12....I always offer a "money back" guarantee on more expensive items up to 24 hours. It's an act of goodwill and makes the customer feel more secure. I've never had anything returned. 13....Have your kids or someone go around the neighborhood taking your signs down after the sale is over. There's nothing worse than people who are too lazy to clean up after themselves. 14....Another act of goodwill is to let your neighbors know there will be a lot of traffic on the street that day s's they can plan accordingly. 15.... Always have a box of FREE STUFF which should include things for children. 16.... Personally, I would never have a sale over two days. Most people don't go to second day sales as they feel that the best stuff will be gone. Stay longer on the first day if neccessary. 17.... The rule of thumb is 50% of your customers will arrive in the first hour, 40% in the second hour, and the rest of the time will be sporadic. 18.... Four hours is long enough for any yard sale. 19.... Be honest with people. If something doesn't work properly or is damaged let them know up front. You can tell thm you will price it accordingly if they still want it. 20... .Be pleasant and try not to take negative comments personally. You'll attract all sorts of people. Try to see the humor of the situation and you'll end up having fun and making money too. |
