How to Organize a Multi-Family Rummage Sale
Summertime is here and the warm weather has set in. For those who enjoy the search, rummage sales abound. If you are of the mind to join the ranks of people who spend spring cleaning out their houses and summer selling, its a relatively simple thing to organize. One of the tricks to getting people to come to your sale is organizing a multi-family or neighborhood rummage sale. Here's just a few tips to help you accomplish this. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Pick a date. This may sound like a simple idea, but the date of any rummage or yard sale is key. As you are choosing a date that will basically tie up several family's calendars, make sure you choose more than one weekend and allow for first, second and third choices. And, while it may sound strange, factor in a Thursday to your date equation. Some of the best traffic is generated on a Thursday and Friday sale. Another decision you must make is how many days you wish to have your sale open. 1, 2 and 3 day sales are great, but they will tie up your entire weekend. As you are basically the "anchor" of this sale, you will be a necessary presence all the days you have picked. Give your neighbors and friends the option of setting up for 1 or 2 of the days, as long as you have a significant presence for the first and last days of your sale, you should be in the green!One last thing to consider is timing. Remember, even though you may have been thinking about this for awhile, there's a good chance your neighbors haven't, so you need to give them enough time to get organized. 2 months would be great, but unless you plan on reminding them, it might be too long. Look at the calendar 4-6 weeks out and go from there.
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Draft and send a letter to friends and neighbors. Specify in your note what you want to do (hold a Multi-family Rummage), and when you want to do it. Encourage them to use this as a chance to clean out their homes of unwanted items and make some cash besides. Make sure your note is extremely positive, emphasizing the fun aspects of the sale. Make this as easy for them as you can. Remember, the more families that participate the more people will be coming to your sale. Give them a choice on their dates, and ask them to return the note to you whether they want participate or not. This way you will be able to keep track of your responses. Make sure you include your name, address and phone number should they have any questions for you.Let them know that if they want to participate - you will handle the advertising and can provide signs, etc. but they will be responsible for pricing their items and handling their own sales. If there are alot of kids around, suggest some fun ways they can be included, selling lemonade or soda/water for example. Save on postage and take a walk around the neighborhood, dropping the note into mailboxes as you do. Stop and talk to the neighbors who might be out. Remember - the more enthusiastic you are - the more excited they will be.
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Advertise your multi-family rummage. The internet has made this much easier than it used to be. There are many sites available on-line that offer not only free listings for your rummage sale, but free sign creation as well. List your sale on as many as you can, making sure you hit the local ones. Some local television stations have special places on their websites for yard and rummage sales. Once your responses have started to come in is the best time to start posting and generating interest. Print some extra signs stating "multi-family" and post them in your local grocery store. Have 4-5 large signs printed (most printing places have this ability) and mount them on cardboard so you can place them at strategic places in high traffic areas near your home. Just remember where you put them as you will need to take them down at the end of your sale. Also - make sure you check your local ordinances regarding signage so you don't run afoul of any laws.
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Price and sell. The day of your sale has dawned bright and sunny and the neighborhood doors are slamming as your friends and neighbors start bringing their items out to their lawns to sell. Recommend to everyone that they start setting up a couple hours before the sale is due to start... and also recommend no early sales. While this might discourage a few dealers, it will allow you the peace you need to set up your sale undisturbed. Make sure everything is priced to sell! Rummage and yard sale shoppers expect a bargain and love to negotiate, so price accordingly. Remember - these are all things you don't want laying around your house anymore. Allow your shoppers to have some fun and you'll more than likely make even more money than if you stuck to your pricing.
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Donate your leftovers. Your rummage sale is over, but you still have some things left over. Consult your neighbors ahead of time, and if they agree, contact a local charity to come out after your sale has ended on the last day and collect all the unsold items. You and your neighbors will all get a tax deduction and your houses will be nice and clean.
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Tips & Warnings
Place big items in plain view of the street for those passing in cars. You want to encourage them to stop and shop.
Advertise the bigger items by name on your flyers and signs.
