If you’re sacrificing a weekend to put on a yard sale you’ll want to make sure it’s worth your time. That means maximizing the amount of items you sell and getting the best possible price for your belongings.
Use Free and Low Cost Resources to Market the Yard Sale
Unless you live on a busy highway you’ll need to get the word out about the yard sale 5-7 days before the big event.
Craigslist.org – This is the go-to free listing site for yard sale junkies. List your yard sale a week in advance and then renew it 3 days before as well as the day prior to the sale for the best visibility. Mention any name brand and high-demand items, and include as many pictures as possible.
Facebook Posts – A Facebook post is the most effective way to let your friends, family and acquaintances know about your yard sale. They can then help you spread the word to their other friends.
Local newspaper – Taking out a small ad in the classifieds is probably the most tried and true yard sale marketing strategy.
Yard sale signs – For a few bucks you can buy a pre-made yard sale sign or buy supplies to make your own.
- If you live a few streets away from a busy intersection you’ll need to put up multiple signs that direct traffic from the intersection to your home.
- Opt for signs that are brightly colored and big enough to easily read from a few car lengths away.
- It’s also a good idea to get a few helium-filled balloons to tie to the signs.
Another strategy to try is getting the whole neighborhood involved. A neighborhood yard sale will attract more buyers and you can pool your marketing efforts.
Proper Presentation Leads to Sales
Retail stores pay people good money to create eye-catching window displays and place items strategically around the store. You’ll want to do the same at your yard sale. Group items together logically – household goods with other household goods, electronics with electronics, etc. Also keep things as orderly as possible during the garage sale.
Items you’ll need to properly display items:
- Plenty of foldout tables
- A clothing rack and hangers
- An extension cord plugged into an outlet so buyers can test electronics
- Price tags
Bartering With Buyers
Yard sales are one of the few places where bartering is totally acceptable. If you aren’t comfortable with it, then you’re going to lose out on sales. To become a successful barterer you have to understand the other party and know the true value of items. Some things to keep in mind are:
- Buyers will consider the sticker price as a starting out point. If something is non-negotiable make sure to note that the price is firm on the tag.
- Stories sell items. Tell the buyer the story behind the item to give it a unique value and increase their interest.
- Feel out whether or not it’s an item that the buyer really needs. If it’s something they can find a real use for they’ll be more willing to pay full price.
- Do research beforehand to figure out the going price for your items. Armed with that information you’ll be in a better negotiating position.
Speaking of prices, there are a few more important things to have on hand. The first is a calculator for adding up totals and the other is cash to make change with – both coins and dollars.
Original Source:https://squarecowmovers.com/yard-sale-strategies/