The community I live in has no restrictions on one time only yard sales. I know the basic stuff, like watch for thieves, put up a good sign and advertize in the local paper, and keep lots of change, but what else do I need to know?
2006-07-14 16:12:41 · 5 answers · asked by riversconfluence 7 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
Use large colored dots, about a half inch across. They can be found at any office supply store. Create a price chart. Each color dot means a set price. This stops all the people asking how much something costs. Also makes it easier to detrmine change for you. Speaking of which, have LOTS of one and five dollar bills to make change. They expect you to not have them and pay you less.
Post the start time about an hour after you really want to start and state "No early birds." If you state 8 am, people will be there at 6:30 while you are setting up, digging through things.
It's also a good idea to invite neighbors to sell stuff alongside yours. Then when they hold one, you get a chance to set up also.
2006-07-14 16:16:05 · answer #1 · answered by Mark W 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't want to discourage you but try to have a group or block sale because the time and effort you spend putting this thing together sometimes is hardly worth your time.
It takes effort to have yard sale, getting everything together, pricing, and the time you spend at the sale. If there are others in the neighborhood doing the same thing, it attracts more buyers, and you have a much better chance of getting rid of your stuff.
I have had many sales and going it alone has been less than worth the effort, and still ended up with a bunch of stuff I had to donate or haul off.
Just telling what has happened to me.
Ralph H
2006-07-15 00:41:03 · answer #2 · answered by Ralph H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't over sell. Just sit there, let them look. Don't try to show them your old crap, they will want it even less. Allow haggle room, if you are too firm on prices they will not bite. Make sure everything is clean and laid out nicely on tables, clearly marked how much, people don't like to ask on EVERYTHING. I found labeling little things suck, so I have a huge table that has a sign, everything ON this table is 50 cents (table not for sale) Cause you get the morons who ask "is the table 50 cents?" I like to also have a shade up...like a canopy. My boys will also make a killin on selling lemonade and cookies to thirsty and hungry shoppers. Have a radio on too, with some relaxing music. People stay and look when they feel relaxed.
2006-07-14 23:21:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The trick is to get the word out. There are a few ways to do this.
1. word of mouth - you just spread the word in your neighboorhood. best of all - it's free!
2. put ad in newspaper - not free (expect to pay about $30.00 at elast) and not very efficient. You may get a few people to come to your sale who saw the ad in the paper
3. Advertise online. Its fast and easy. A site i've found helpful is: http://www.yardhopper.com - not free, but at $6.00, it sure beats the newspapers. In my town, I get better results this way.
Good luck!!!!!!
2006-07-17 13:36:45 · answer #4 · answered by Jimmy K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure your prices aren't too high, you'll end up taking it all back in the house etc. Watch for early birds and different personalities.
Hope you do well.
2006-07-14 23:17:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋