Yard sale tips
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Yard sale tips
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Are you planning to get a few extra bucks this year by hawking your unused items in a yard sale, or have you already done so? What are some tips to make sure you get the most out of it? Are you an av
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Forums » Personal finance » Yard sale tips
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Yard sale tips
posted at 7/10/2009 10:17 AM EDT
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Posts: 894
First: 6/3/2008 Last: 12/22/2009 |
Are you planning to get a few extra bucks this year by hawking your unused items in a yard sale, or have you already done so? What are some tips to make sure you get the most out of it? Are you an avid yard sale shopper? What makes a good yard sale? Share your yard sale tips and strategies here. |
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Re: Yard sale tips
posted at 7/10/2009 12:23 PM EDT
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Posts: 5607
First: 10/17/2005 Last: 12/24/2009 |
Learned on CBS This Morning from a self-professed yard sale expert with a book (can't remember title) that if you do not put prices on things, people will offer you WAY more than you would even dream of asking. I tried it, and it worked! I had a 15 yr old Boggle game (all pieces there), and I was going to put 25 cents on it. But, I thought, why not try her advice? I swear, a gentleman offered me $10 dollars! Here's how the conversation went that worked best: Customer: How much for the game? Me: What do you think is a fair price? Customer: How about $10? Me: If that's what you feel comfortable paying, that's what I'll take. Both: Thanks!! :) Worked on a cheap, costume bracelet, too. I was going to put 10 cents on it, but I got $5.00. I only had one person that INSISTED I give a price. Everyone else offered wayyyy more than I would have priced it at. The expert said it's the psychology behind your getting rid of stuff you don't value anymore and them wanting a new treasure. They naturally value it more than you do unless you put 25 cents on it; then they want it for 15 cents instead. I totally cleaned up that day making $40 with just a few items that if I'd priced them myself I would have made about $3.00 with. I'll never do it any other way. BUT, a word of caution. This requires a very active day. You have to be warm, friendly, and interactive with EVERYONE who stops by. You can't just sit in the shade and collect your piddly little amounts of change. Get out there and work for it, and you'll really make a LOT. |
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Re: Yard sale tips
posted at 7/10/2009 2:16 PM EDT
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Posts: 79
First: 1/23/2008 Last: 12/22/2009 |
For sellers: be friendly but not obtrusive and price things reasonably. We had a neighborhood yard sale and people complained to me about how my neighbors' stuff was too expensive. You can only charge so much at a yard sale, IMO, if you think it's worth more, then consign it or sell it on craigslist. A neighborhood yard sale is a GREAT idea. We did it and had TONS of traffic for it (advertised with signs and on craigslist). I wouldn't have had a yard sale on my own because I didn't feel like my stuff was enough of a draw, but this way there was something for everyone at one of the 10-12 houses on the street. Be prepared for the early birds -- most of my best shoppers came before 9 a.m. |
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Re: Yard sale tips
posted at 7/10/2009 4:05 PM EDT
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Posts: 20
First: 10/25/2005 Last: 10/23/2009 |
How about this...don't bother. I have never known anyone who has had a yard sale who thought it was worth the hassle. Take the items that you think would be of value and consign them or sell them on e-bay or craigslist. Post the cr@p that no one would pay more than 50 cents for on freecycle, and toss the rest or bring to goodwill. I can't imagine a bigger waste of time or energy than having a yard sale. |
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Re: Yard sale tips
posted at 7/10/2009 4:42 PM EDT
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Posts: 4
First: 7/10/2009 Last: 12/6/2009 |
My MOMS Club held a yard sale with donations from our members; all proceeds benefitted our town's food pantry. For two days' worth of hassle (a one day drop off in someone's garage, set up in the evening, and a one day sale) we yielded $750 for the food pantry. Well worth the effort if done right, I think. However, my advice is to beware the scammers. There are three classic scams, and we experienced all of them at our well-advertised CHARITY sale. First is the buyer who tries to pay with a $100 bill. You shouldn't trust one, and if you are unwise enough to accept it, very often they flash the bill so you make the change and then somehow you never have the hundred. Second is the buyer who collects a ton of your stuff to purchase and THEN manages to get a scrape in your driveway - just enough to bleed and make you feel bad enough for them (and worry that they'll sue) to just give them the stuff. Don't do it. This IS a scam. Third is the buyer who "loses her wallet or purse" in your yard. Offer to help look for it. When you can't find it, offer to call the police. The wallet or purse will mysteriously materialize within the next five minutes. Lastly, have fun and good luck!
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Forums » Personal finance » Yard sale tips