From Old to Sold: 5 Must-Know Yard Sale Tips From a Pro
So you’re done spring cleaning, and you really went for it this year. You’ve now got a garage full of boxes and things just waiting to go to their new home. It’s yard sale time! Greg Farr, owner of Antique Plaza in Mesa, Arizona, has spent the last 25 years hopping from yard sale to yard sale looking for his next great treasure. Over that time, he’s unearthed more than a few helpful tips that will make any yard sale a smashing success.
1. Signage is everything
Bad signage is the No. 1 pet peeve of yard-salers around the world. Here’s the winning formula:
- Purchase large, bright-colored signs
- Draw an enormous arrow on the sign with a thick Sharpie and include your address if you’d like (you don’t even need to write yard sale, they already know what to look for)
- Place the sign on the side of the street the drivers will be turning (this will prevent a lot of U-turns!)
- Keep all signs consistent, and adorn them with balloons or other accessories to help them stand out
- Take a test drive before your yard sale begins to make sure all signs are clearly visible
2. Reel them in with food
People are hungry in the morning, so providing food will keep them around longer, and get them to spend more money. Donuts, coffee and bottled water are always nice, but if you really want to stand out and get people excited, there’s nothing better than a nacho bar. Yes, we’ve actually seen a nacho bar before. Set up a slow cooker with meat, some chips, cheese, various toppings, plates and napkins on a table and your yard sale is guaranteed to be the talk of the block.
3. Advertise to your online community
You’ll get a lot more visitors if you post about your yard sale in advance online. Join a local yard sale community on GetAssist and make your announcement free of charge. Be sure to include the dates and hours you’ll be open, along with your address and a description of what types of things you’re selling. Make sure to mention your yard sale in your private communities as well! Yard-salers often look online to map out the yard sale locations before they begin their hunt.
4. Be willing to negotiate
It’s important to remember that even though your items may hold a dear spot in your heart, they are just things to the rest of us. People are yard saling because they’re looking to score a good deal. In general, price things about one-quarter to one-third of what they would cost new. And always be willing to negotiate. Yard salers get a kick of out haggling, and will often purchase items if the yard sale operator kindly partakes.
5. Invite the neighborhood
First, check your city and neighborhood yard sale regulations. Every city and neighborhood has different rules. Once you’ve done your research, invite the rest of your neighbors to join in on a community yard sale! Community yard sales are proven to have great turnouts, and the hard work that comes along with hosting a yard sale will be more fun if your friends are involved.
