How to Manage an Effective Yard Sale

If you have several items that you want to get rid of, yard sales are a great idea. You can make a little extra cash and clean out your house at the same time. Many people believe that a yard sale can be easily put together at the last minute, but in order to make the most out of your yard sale, you need to be prepared.

Things You'll Need

• Tables
• Price stickers or tags
• Markers
• Cash box
• Calculator

Instructions

1. Get a permit if it is needed. While many communities do not require permits for yard sales, you might be living in one that does. Simple call up your local police department and ask.

2. Keep your weather conditions in mind. While it can be difficult to determine the weather too far in advance, there are some good tips to keep in mind. Late spring and early fall are the best times for a yard sale. If you have mild summers, you can hold a yard sale then, too. Check the weather forecast before you set up your sale. It won't do if it gets rained on.

3. Have your sale over the weekend. Most yard sales start early and end late in the evening. People love going to yard sales if they take place during times that are convenient for them.

4. Start sorting out items and creating price lists in advance. The more time you have to sort out your items, the more you will find. Two weeks to a month is a good time-frame to start, depending on how much you have to go through. To make the prices easy to remember, have a general price range for similar items and keep a price sheet with you during the sale.

5. Advertise the yard sale. You can use the newspaper, the Internet, bulletin boards and any other means that you have. If people know about it, they will come. Also, consider including some major items that you will have at the sale to attract more traffic.

6. Set up signs for the yard sale an hour before the sale. There are yard sale signs that you can purchase or you can create a striking sign. It doesn't matter as long as people know that you're having a sale.

7. Choose the location of the sale. You can hold the sale in the garage, the yard, driveway, or all of them if you need the space. Make sure that people can see the items as they pass by.

8. Set up your display. Have everything grouped together, such as clothes, movies, appliances and furniture. It is easier for a customer to look through the items if they are all in order. Make sure your items have prices on them. If not, have the stickers and markers ready to create new ones. During your downtime, straighten out the display and condense it if necessary.

9. Have a clearly labeled spot where your customers know where to pay. It will be easier for them instead of looking around for you. It is not a good idea to leave the cash box unattended so always have someone at the payout table. Also, determine early on if you are going to accept checks. It is okay to only take cash.

10. Make the items look nice. If they look like they are in good condition, customers will pay more for them.

11. Account for customers that will buy multiple items. Have grocery bags available for them to carry home multiple purchases. Boxes can also be used.

12. As the sale starts coming to an end, consider dropping your prices. You'll probably just want to get rid of the items near the end of the day. Give discounts on items or two-for-one deals. If you have anything left over from the sale, consider calling a charity to pick up the rest.

Tips & Warnings

• People go to garage sale for bargains, so prices are expected to be low, however don't rip yourself off. Typically, prices should be about 25 percent of what you originally paid for.

• Greet your customers and ask if they need help with anything. Let them know that you are there to assist them.

• Expect hagglers. People love to bargain if they think they can do it. If you are set in a price, let the customers know that certain items are not negotiable.

• Keep an eye on your items. Some people do try to steal from yard sales, so don't let that happen.