Consider Yard Sales

Posted on April 09 2008

With spring on its way, now is the time to take advantage of yard sales in your area. Yard sales can be exciting, adventuresome and profitable. If you are wondering how you are going to pay for your summer adventure or family vacation, consider organizing a yard sale. Often times you have all sorts of things laying around your house or apartment that could be worth something to someone. Sell that stuff since it is doing no good but adding clutter to your life. Things to consider while organizing a yard sale:

Pricing Goods – Be sure to keep your prices low as people expect to get a “deal” at a yard sale. Just because you paid $80.00 for a pair of jeans 3 years ago doesn’t mean someone will pay $15.00 for them now. Price them to sell. How about $3.00? Remember, what you don’t sell, you have to pack up and store again or haul it to a local charity retailer . Multi-Day Sales – When people are looking at yard sale ads, shoppers are often turned off when they see an ad that has multiple days listed. They know the good stuff goes first. Consider running a separate ad for each day.

Bag Sale – Towards the end of the day, consider offering your customers a “$3.00 bag sale”. Tell them that everything they can fit in a bag they can have for $3.00. Now use your judgment on this. My wife and I are just happy to get rid of things so I would rather get paid to have someone haul it away than spend several hours packing things up.

Keep your prices flexible – Part of the fun in going to yard sales is price negotiating. Don’t be offended if someone offers you less than what you are asking for something. Have some fun with it. Do a bit of bartering. Once again, ask yourself, do I want to pack it up or get paid to have someone haul away my old stuff?

Have fun – Enjoy your day. If you have kids, involve them in the day’s events. Make it a memory. Involve your friends and neighbors.

Yard sales are a great way for you and your family to earn a little extra money to help with your spring cleaning needs.