So, you want to have a yard sale but you are wondering if it is really worth it. My mother and I have been having yard sales for as long as I can remember… about two a year with one in the Spring and one in the Fall. At our largest yard sale, we made over $1,000. At the smallest, we made about $250. You just never know how it will go until you do it.
The first step is choosing your date. Give yourself enough time to get everything together. If you are inviting friends to participate, give them enough notice too. (I charge 20% commission for someone to bring their stuff, set it up and leave. They must pick it back up within a day or two. If they work the sale the entire day, I do not keep a commission.)
Be careful to avoid holiday weekends when people are traveling or have other things on their minds. Also, consider the weather. You do not want to have a scortching hot yard sale, nor do you want to freeze to death.
The best days for yard sales are Friday and Saturday. NOTE: If you have a multi-day yard sale, never negotiate prices on the first day! I typically do Saturdays only.
Then, it is time to start pulling the stuff out and pricing it. What can you sell? ANYTHING, and I do mean ANYTHING.
- Clothes: Kids clothes and plus sizes sell the best. Do not forget your lingerie and worn t-shirts. I promise, I have sold more underwear at yard sales! Just price it cheap and it will go! Just try to keep it seasonal. That is why we have two yard sales a year.
- Kitchen Stuff: From kitchen utensils to appliances to napkins to half-used spices, everything goes it priced right.
- Bathroom Items: I am not just talking towels although they are hot sellers! Pull out those sample-sizes that you will not be using and the half empty bottle of conditioner that you just did not like. Nail polish, makeup, hair accessories, blow dryers and shavers… you name it!
- Garage: Clean it out! Sporting goods are great sellers and typically get a good value. Old paint and wallpaper also sale. Power tools are a man’s delight! Broken items? No problem! Even dead plants. Sell it!
- Craft Room: Ha, ha! If you have one… I have a craft closet. Pull out those scraps of material, paints, brushes, paper, and more. Scrapbooking stuff goes quick. Organizers, sewing notions and ribbon goes too.
- Kids Room: Yep, get the toys out. While they are not great sellers, you might get lucky. Have diapers leftover? The clean ones? Rubberband them and stick them out there. Wall decor, cribs sets, pictures… If you live in a parade area, stuffed animals will sell if you bag them together since revelers are always looking for throws. Pack up those board games.
- Laundry Room: Extra lightbulbs and batteries that you do not need in your stockpile can sell although I would personally keep them! School supplies, cleaners that you did not like, bug sprays and the like will sell. Even empty hangers can be sold.
- Miscellaneous: Magazines, books, pencils and pens can all be sold in bundles. Ceramics and figurines also sell well. Furniture is a BIG seller with no pun intended. Picture frames will sell but only for cheap.
I think you get the idea. But, do not just pull out the junk. Get rid of the clutter! That brick-brack on your shelves that you are tired of dusting should go. Those items that you are keeping because so-and-so gave them to you but you have not used them. Sell them! Typically, a good rule is that if you have not worn it, used it, needed it in a year then get rid of it.
Small items should be grouped together for a bigger sale and that makes it easier to price too. Keep in mind that rubberbands, ziploc bags, safety pins and strings are your friends when grouping items to sell.
Tomorrow, we will talk more about pricing your stuff.
, I receive a small commission but will not know what you purchased and it will cost you nothing extra. You can even use your gift cards. Thank you for supporting our family.)
