I had the privilege of doing a Skype interview with Leigh Ann Towne from FOX 17 recently on yard sale tips and tricks. She put together a great article and fun video on the subject that anyone who loves yard sales will want to check out.
Here’s a snippet from her article:
“What is a typical day off for me? Getting up dark and early, even though I don’t have to, hopping on www.garagesalefinder.com or Craigslistto see where I will find the treasures of the day. The thrill of the hunt is probably similar to what many sports fanatics feel on game day. (I too love sports, but not as much as thrifting).
Here’s a helpful hint, too. Before you head out for the day, download a garage sale finding app on your phone. One of my favorites is called “Garage Sales, Everywhere!” Just type in the keywords “garage sale finder” and several pop up. They can pinpoint your location and then show little flags on a map with the ones nearest to you. Pretty cool! The app works best when you have a co-pilot, so one can look and direct, while the other drives. My husband and I had so much fun going on a spur of the moment adventure with the app one day.
Before heading out recently on a Friday, I spoke via Skype with blogger Crystal Paine of Money Saving Mom. I was really intrigued with one of her entries called 10 Secrets to Holding a Successful Garage Sale…”
Read the full article and watch the news piece I was featured in here.
Laineykins says
If you’re having a sale and have others there (neighbors, kids, helpers, etc.), please keep them away from the tables and out of the way of walking. It’s frustrating to trying to see what’s for sale when you have people who are just milling around, in the way. If I have to look around people to see what you have, I’ll go somewhere else.
Also, pay attention to your customers. I’ve been to some where they were so busy in a conversation or talking on the phone, that I didn’t bother to ask questions. I just moved on.
Kara Olson says
I participate in a big group sale twice a year. Having multiple sellers is a huge draw to our customers and we don’t get stuck working the whole sale. Our labels have our seller number on them so it’s easy to figure out where the profits go and easy to sort for packing up.
Marie says
The timing of this is so funny. I’m holding a garage sale right now and this is my first break so I was checking out the blog.
I would have to agree with all the points. But I thing the signs are a HUGE one that people make mistakes on. Keep them consistent. If your using green paper don’t switch halfway to Pink. It is confusing if your following signs and suddenly the color changes. You think is this the same sale or a different one. I have repeat customers(every year) for my garage sale due to my signs.
Also take the time to organize clothing. I always seperate by gender and size. I don’t want to root around hoping to find what I need so I don’t expect others to do it either. Initially, it might be more work but you will definitely sell more and I’m a HUGE believer that my time is worth money! I also go through everything and remove anything with stains or ripes.
Let people know if you are a pet free/ smoke free home.
I also let people know things about the items as they are looking. For example I had a bunch of puzzles today. As someone picked it up I let them know I had gone through each one to ensure that all the pieces were there. Some people may not feel comfortable asking so I offer the information. Once the lady knew this information she didn’t just buy one but 5!!
Interact with people who come. I’ll ask if they’re looking for something specific and then i can lead them right to it. or maybe I didn’t have time to get it out and have what they’re looking for. There were a few items I couldn’t get out in time for today so I let people know what I would be adding to the sale by Friday so they could check back.
My kids are setting up a hot dog and lemonaide stand on Friday to raise money to buy a family in the third world a goat or chickens or both! When they got home from school they were excited to share that information and one family is coming back just for that!
If you have nicer items/ or brands don’t feel you have to sell them for .25 cents or .50cents. Last year i had a table specifically with almost new items and priced them higher and people were more then willing to pay the prices because they were still lower then would you’d find on sale or clearance. Like for example most of my Carter’s baby items were in the $2-5 range. If they know the quality and the price and it’s in excellent condition people are willing to pay it.
I love garage sale season. Just know if you’re investing your time make it worth it! People always comment on how neat, clean, and organized my sales are and the pricing.
Oh and the other thing is I ask people how they knew about my sale. If it was the signs or from Craigslist etc. This helps me to know what is being effective.
Jennifer says
I don’t like holding yard sales but I love going to them.
Last weekend I bought four sturdy plastic lawn chairs for a $1. That’s right, a quarter a piece. I also bought two window boxes for a quarter each.
Earlier this spring I bought a barely used coffee maker, still shiny and in the box, for $3. It works perfectly and has all the features we like.
Jennifer says
I’m not nuts about holding yard sales but I love going. This past weekend I got four matching sturdy plastic yard chairs for $1, that’s right a quarter a piece. I also got two window boxes for a quarter each.
Earlier this spring I bought a like-new, used a couple times coffeemaker for $3, which is regularly, if I remember correctly, $36 to $40 at Walmart.
Two years ago, I went to a yard sale in an upscale area and bought the best two glass mixing bowls I’ve ever owned. They are the perfect size, shape and weight for mixing dough. I just love them and they were $1 each.
Michelle says
I agree with Jennifer, clean items and organization is key! I have been to about 20-30 sales this year and can’t believe people are putting clothes in plastic tubs (look like they came out of the dryer and didn’t want to fold) . I’m not one to “dig” through a mess of clothes….it disappointing when I stop at a sale and its a chaotic mess. We had a successful sale earlier this month, so much so I don’t think I have enough to do another sale in the fall.
Tips for a great Sale:
*Clean items
*Organize
*Fair prices (what you would pay at a sale yourself)
*Signs (don’t lead people on a wild goose chase…..I give up if it takes too long to find the sale)
*Know your target time (we only do Thrusday afternoon and Fridays…..Saturdays are not good days in our area to have a sale, Wednesday Nights seem to be a popular time now too)
*1/2 off the last few hours of the sale = less to pack up and put back in the house
*Be specific in listing your ad (people looking for something usually put you first on their list if you have a item they want)
*If something doesn’t sell put it on ebay, craigslist (I put our kids Keens on ebay and they sold right away)
*Unsold items pack up in a organized fashion, when you pull out again half the work is already done
Jennifer says
I don’t know why but I love having yard sales. I know one comment I usually get it is how well cared for and organized things are. We do not stick dirty, stained or broken items out (unless it is something like a tool that somebody could fix, but we always label it as broken) Things will sell for more if they are just clean! Really, who wants to clean another person’s dust:)? Another pet peeve is the “pile of clothes for a quarter”. I know personally I do not like getting on my knees and digging through all kinds of clothes. It is not that hard to make make shift tables out of chairs, saw horses, wood. I have even carried my kitchen table out to use! You will sell alot more and probably get a little more than a quarter. At the very least, seperate into sizes! I usually stick with no more than $1 per complete outfit maybe $2 for fancy clothes. All other clothes are .25 or .50. It seems around my area lots of people want $5 or even more for their “used” clothing. Yes it is cute, but I go looking for deals. I like seeing my previously loved items going to somebody for a great deal!
Sherri says
I, too, hate the big pile (or bin) of clothes that are all sizes mixed together. And then when I have taken time to dig, the person wants $2 for the jeans. (Not!) If you want more for your stuff, take the time to sort by size and gender.