My community put out a fllyer about a community wide yard sale in May. I'm thinking I have a garage and closest full of junk, er, stuff that make bring in a few bucks. Anyone got any yard sale tips? What sells, what doesn't? I also have some clothes that are in pretty good shape, only they don't fit anymore. How do you go about putting a price on stuff? And how in the heck do you generate traffic if the whole community is doing this?
You don't have to worry about competition. As long as you have a sign or two out you'll get plenty of traffic. In a yard sale pretty much everything sells. I've gone out in my neighborhood the day before heavy trash pick up to see what people are throwing away. Mainly looking for old furniture like wooden tables, chairs, mirrors, coat racks....I did it about a month ago. I found enough stuff in one hour to fill up my whole driveway. The next day I sold it all with the exception of a big bookshelf. I made a little over $200 I gave the bookshelf to my neighbor because I didn't have room to store it and he ended up selling it at some trade days for 50 bucks. I've never really sold or bought any clothing so I'm not sure how to price it. $2-$4 for jeans? I don't know. Also get up and start it early. I usually start mine around 7:00 - 7:30am.
Thanks. The thing for our neighborhood starts around 8, but who's gonna keep me from starting earlier?? They are supposed to put the signs out for us.
Prepare for people haggling over 50 cents. Dont kill them. Sympathize. Just understand that Yard Sale Junkies have no reason in the world to live except to negotiate over pennies....that when they go home to their empty apartments full of lawn gnomes and cats, the extra .50 didn't have to pay you for a VHS copy of Monster Squad is the only thing keeping them from surrendering to the madness that eats at their subconscious...the voice inside that tells them to "get the axe" or "hunt down the demons with the sawed off shotgun." In fact, by losing two quarters, you are probably saving someone's life. God bless you.
Don't worry about it "starting" at 8. No matter what you'll have people there way before then. There are some people who live for them and get there way before it's supposed to open. And be prepared to bargain because you'll get offers for everything. "You want 25 cents for this? I'll give you a nickel."
Just helped a buddy with a big sale -- prepare for toothless yahoos to start stopping by your place around 7 or earlier. One crazy women haggled over a 25 cent item -- ended up giving a nickel for it. Also check your deed restrictions - if you have a garage sale and the rest of the neighborhood is having yard sales you could lose your house.
Yeah, if anything price up and settle for less (what you might originally have priced the thing). I had a yard sale (in my house) about 10 years ago when I got re-married. This little old lady carried about 4 things around which were priced en toto for about $2. She wanted to offer me $1 for them. I said "no... $2." She looked at me cross-eyed laid the items on my threshold and walked out my front door. I wish I could have turned a sprinkler on her...
Man, I'm not so sure I want to haggle over .25 cents. The yard sale is being sponsored by our neighborhood managment group. They frown upon people doing it individually so this is there way of keeping it under control.
No, but I do have a Steve Francis Rockets throwback that he signed. It's quickly becoming worthless the way his career is going.
Whew, I'm glad to see there are other people who have experienced dealing with REALLY WEIRD people while having a yard sale. I thought it was just me. I had one with my landlord a few years ago and it was a miserable experience. I can't believe how many people will argue and get downright ugly over $0.50. If I ever do it again, I will be sure to get really HAMMERED so as to numb the pain of dealing with all those freaks.
My advice is NOT to have a yard sale AT ALL. Whether you have something to give away or sell for cheap, send them directly to charity organizations and then claim appropriate deductions on your tax return. End of story.
