How to Throw a Community Yard Sale

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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A yard sale is a great way to clean out a lot of unused items from your home and make some money at the same time. To get the most out of the process you need lots of customers. Having a community yard sale is the best way to attract the most people. You can have all of the items together in one central location or have everyone in a neighborhood have their stuff out for sale at the same time. Multi-family yard/garage sales bring in more customers than just a single family yard sale.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

Define the community and find out the best weekend to have it (mild weather is a plus, without rain in the forecast). Know what the rules are in your community for yard sales regarding any permits and advertising. This is your guide to getting started.

Step2

Decide if the yard sale itself is going to be focused in one location or scattered through the community itself. You can invite the whole neighborhood to bring out their wares at the same time/date and advertise the number of families participating.

Step3

Make a list of the big ticket items. Things like furniture, cars, tools and collectibles can be a large draw. As well, baby clothes, accessories and toys are important to mention. Use this list to create your ad.

Step4

Advertise in the local paper, craig's list or any free/cheap periodical in your area that carries yard sale listings. Clearly note the address, dates of the sale and the start/end times. If you don't want people showing up too early to get at the best stuff, note that early birds are not allowed (although some will show up anyway).

Step5

Put up signs giving directions to the location(s). Use bright, large letters on a stake that makes it easy to see from a car driving by. If your place is difficult to find, the more directional signs you will need to point the way. You live there, the people bringing money for your stuff do not, make it easy to find the place. Don't forget to pick these up at the end of the yard sale.

Step6

Agree on the pricing/tagging system if in one location. You will need to account for sales by each household and can only do so if items are tagged in a way to be tracked at the end of the day. Colored stickers work well or initials on the price tag. If there is haggling to be done, agree with the owners of the stuff on how low they will go or make sure they are on hand for these negotiations.

Step7

Have plenty of small change or make sure each location has change. Keep the money safe and make sure that it is not left unattended. Put up ropes to prevent people from trying to buy things that are not for sale or cover with sheets and add a sign "not for sale." If there is a lot of clothing being offered, set up a tent or curtained off area to allow people to try things on. Have a full length mirror available as well, marked not for sale, of course.

Step8

Make sure to have an extension cord within reach for customers to verify that electric items actually work.