How to Plan a Community Yard Sale

A community-wide yard sale can get everyone involved.

Community yard sales can be profitable and fun. You can plan ahead, organize and advertise for a successful sale. Have fun while making some extra cash -- one person's trash is usually another person's treasure.

Things You'll Need

• Fliers
• Rubber bands
• Balloons
• Ribbon
• Signs and stakes

Instructions

1. Locate a large flat area such as a common grassy area or unused section of pavement to hold your sale. Obtain approval from the property manager if necessary before choosing a common location. Or plan for neighbors to hold their part of the sale on their own property.

2. Invite as many neighbors as possible to participate. Create a flier reading something like this: "Join the fun of our Community Yard Sale!" Who: Anyone who would like to participate.” List the time, day of the week and date of the sale as well as the location and backup rain plans. Note when setup begins. Conclude by noting, “Bring your treasures and join us to make some extra cash!” Tell where people can reach you to confirm their interest.

3. Distribute one flier to each neighbor. Do not put fliers in the mailbox; this violates postal regulations. Instead, hand the invitation directly to your neighbors or attach it to doorknobs with a rubber band. Hand out invitation fliers several weeks in advance of the sale to allow people to get their sale items organized.

4. Place an advertisement in the local newspapers and shopping guides as well as online notification boards and Craigslist. The ad could read something like this: "Large Community Yard Sale! Saturday, July 12, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., houses marked with balloons on Quail Street, Something for everyone." The newspaper staff will also give you the total cost when placing the ad; usually charged per word. Have a credit card handy for immediate payment. If you wish, ask each neighbor to contribute a few dollars to help cover the cost of the newspaper ads. Check your ads to make sure the information is accurate and correct.

5. Keep a list of neighbors planning to participate. Give each participant something to identify their house, such as a few balloons or a bright colored ribbon.

6. Design a simple flier including the event time, day, date and location. Post them around town about two weeks ahead of your scheduled date. Ask permission to post the fliers at the library, grocery store, convenience store, gas station, post office and fast food restaurants. Send emails to your local contacts and ask them to spread the word as well.

7. Call or visit those who are participating the day before your community yard sale. Remind them of the scheduled time and ask them to place the balloons or ribbon in a highly visible location to tell shoppers they are participating in the sale.

8. Display large signs marking the event the evening before your sale. Post signs at the end of your street and at busy intersections. Make arrows in bright colors to direct shoppers to your sale. Signs should be freestanding and not stapled or nailed to utility poles.

9. The morning of your event, set up and sell those unused items.

Tips & Warnings

• Get the children involved. They may wish to place a small table with their cast-offs in the sale. Kids also enjoy selling individually wrapped baked goods to shoppers.

References

• West Virginia University Extension Service: Yard Sale Savvy
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Garage Sales