Are you ready to make this yard sale your best one yet? If you plan on holding a yard sale this spring or summer season, there are steps you can take to make it your most profitable yet. Not sure where to begin? No worries! Take a look below at 7 ways to make the most profit from your garage sale, so you can clear away the clutter while making some serious cash! Here is what you need to know before you put out those sale signs.
How to Make Money at a Yard Sale
1. Take advantage of multiple advertising outlets. Use every outlet possible to advertise your sale. This means Craigslist, free online listings with your local news stations, a newspaper ad, a Facebook ad on your personal Facebook page, and even flyers around your neighborhood are advised. Use every outlet possible to spread the word. There were several groups in my area that allowed yard sale listings along with those buy/sell groups for moms!
2. Ad details are everything. Don’t just put “household items, clothing, and toys” in your sale listing. Be sure you get specific, listing the gender of clothing, some of the sizes, the types of toys, any major appliances, any furniture pieces, any unusual items, or any sporting goods you have. Be sure you mention if you have any vintage or antique items as well. All of these keywords have an audience they appeal to and can draw to your sale. Toward the end of our yard sale, we had shoppers who had a print out of EXACTLY what they were looking for! That tactic is not only helpful for buyers to stay focused on what they want, but it is also helpful for sellers to see what is in demand.
3. Be mindful of signage. A small sale sign at the end of the street won’t do. You should place 5-7 signs up at the various entrance of your neighborhood, a block or two down the street, and at any major intersection near your home. This way, people driving within a few miles of your home will see it. Make sure signs are clear, large, and give clear directions/point to the sale.
4. Organize your items well. No one wants to rummage through a bunch of boxes. All of your items should be clearly displayed on tables or shelves so they can be easily seen and accessed. Don’t leave items on the floor or in hard to reach places. No one wants to work for a great deal. Instead, display in categories as a store would, making the items look nice and enticing!
5. Host a clean sale. Make sure all dishes and collectibles are dust free, clothing should be clean and hung, furniture pieces should be emptied out and wiped down, and the sale area should be clean and clutter free. You want to create an inviting shopping space that people will feel comfortable at and want to take the time to shop at. I had Clorox Wipes handy as I put items out. I also had extra plastic bags to put purchased goods in, and I made sure everything was clean.
6. Price accordingly. While you don’t want to give stuff away, remember you won’t get retail prices either. Be mindful when pricing, giving the buyer a great deal but still making a little money as well. Offer discounts if people buy numerous items, and be prepared to come down a bit on prices. People love to make deals at sales, so keep this in mind when pricing your goods. I think once we realized how quickly we could get rid of stuff with the right price, we slashed prices on everything! Since more items sold, even at a rock bottom price, we still ended up making more money than anticipated. Had we kept everything at our original asking price, we would have lost sales. I had a friend who cut prices down to just a QUARTER during the last hour of her sale. Not only did she completely declutter, but she actually turned a profit since she had so many items.
7. Inventory is everything. Having a huge selection is what makes people stop and get out of their car. If you have a small, measly sale, a person may just drive on by. Partner up with another family member if you need to so you can create a giant sale that will draw traffic. The more you have, the longer people will shop and the more they will buy from you.
A few other things to keep in mind: Price all items. No one wants to name their own price, and many won’t ask if a price isn’t marked. They will just leave. Have plenty of bags and wrapping paper ready for fragile items and other purchases. This way you can check your guests out quickly so you don’t lose out on any sales. Make the shopping experience pleasant, with a radio playing or some bottled water so shoppers relax and take the time to really look and spend.
Keep these tips in mind when organizing your next garage sale and you will no doubt enjoy more traffic driving by, a larger crowd, and shoppers ready to spend some cash!
What are your best yard sale tips? What was the most you have ever made?
Not hosting a yard sale? Read these yard sale shopping tips for getting amazing deals when scouring yard sales!
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