How to Host a Profitable Yard Sale

Hosting a yard sale is a great way to get rid of unwanted junk, but do you know how to hold a profitable yard sale? Read on for 14 tips from an experienced yard saler:

Advertise

Optimize your yard sale traffic by placing an ad in the newspaper the day before your sale. Lots of people like to plan their yard sale routes, and this will ensure that you earn a spot on the coveted list.

Price Everything

Yard salers don’t like to have to ask for prices, so take some time before your sale to price everything. Your efforts will be rewarded with fewer questions and more sales.

A valuable shortcut: If you don’t want to take the time to individually price all of your little knick knacks and do-hickeys, set up tables and group your items by price. Have a quarter table, a dollar table, etc. Then you can save those price stickers for the big items.

Sign It

Yard sale signs help to direct people to your sale, so be sure that yours are doing their job. Use bright colored paper when possible, and keep the text bold and to the point.

Price It to Move

The whole idea of a yard sale is to make money, but you don’t want your prices to be so high that you scare away potential customers. Try to establish a fair price for each item, and then make it clear that you’re willing to negotiate—better to lower your price then to haul all of that stuff back into your house.

Clean Up Your Stuff

Want top dollar for all of your stuff? Then, spend a little time cleaning it up. Not everyone has the vision to see the gem that’s hidden underneath that layer of dust.

Package Things Up

Neat packaging adds to the value of an item. Take the time to track down all of the pieces to things, and then package them neatly in a storage bag or container.

Another tip: Are all the pieces to that puzzle accounted for? Then, make a note of it on the box—and you’ll increase your chances of a sale.

Make a Note of New Merchandise

It’s no secret that yard salers are in search of a bargain. To point them in the direction of your best bargains, be sure to mark all of your new items with the word, “NEW!” Often this is all it takes to get full asking price for your cast offs.

Organize

Make it easy for shoppers to find what they’re looking for at your sale. Group like items together, and separate clothing out by size.

Have Lots of Stuff

Lots of yard salers do a drive-by to evaluate whether a sale is worth stopping at. To ensure your sale merits a stop, be sure you have lots of stuff to sell. If not, consider waiting until you do or selling through another channel.

Another tip: Place a few large, interesting items by the street, and you’ll net even more stops.

Offer a Deal

Yard sale customers love a good deal. Offer clothes at a by-the-bag price, run buy one get one frees, or offer discounts for volume purchases—10 for a dollar, say. Nothing says “good deal” like a sale.

~Erin Huffstetler

Erin Huffstetler is a freelance writer specializing in frugal living tips and tricks. Her work has appeared in numerous print and electronic publications including Family Circle, Guideposts For Kids and Pregnancy. As the stay-at-home mom of two young kids, Erin is always looking for new ways to live better for less.