Getting Ready for a Yard Sale

“One man’s junk is another man’s treasure”…with a little preparation you can hold a profitable sale. First, you must set a date for your sale. Allow yourself at least three weeks to get ready.

Clear an area to accumulate items that you want to sell. For the first two weeks, use at least an hour each day to find items for your sale and check that they are in good working order or are free of stains and rips. Use stickers to price the items and make signs for groups of individual merchandise; “All clothing 5 for $1.00” Different colored stickers work great for Multi-Family sales – just stick each in a notebook at the time of checkout and tally up the amounts at the end of the day.

At the beginning of the week before your sale; check the weather report and place an ad in the classifieds. (Be sure to be clear on times and if you will allow ‘Early Birds’ or if you plan to hold a ½ sale after a certain hour. If you have items that may draw a crowd, make sure that you include them in your ad!) Make big signs directing traffic to your home and have everything ready to hang them early the morning of your sale. (But PLEASE remember to take them down!) Make plans for food and bathroom runs; schedule family and friends to sit in for brief periods to give you a break. Decide on what you will serve your family for supper that night (you will be too tired to cook). Use some of your earnings to order pizza or have something in the Crockpot ready to eat.

Get $20 in change from the bank during the week so you are prepared for the morning rush. Make sure that you have an extension cord ready for customers to check any electrical items you have for sale. You can’t expect them to take your word for it. Have fun at your sale and attract more buyers by playing music and creating a nice atmosphere. Set up your cashier station in a spot that will have shade but don’t forget to wear sunscreen and re-apply regularly during the day! Set and alarm on your cell phone to remind yourself – you may be too busy to realize how much time has passed.

Get a good night’s sleep and enjoy your day!