Choosing when to set up your yard sale for success takes some careful planning and consideration. Most often, high-traffic days are Saturday and Sunday. People who frequent yard sales expect to spend early mornings on the weekend rummaging through other people’s stuff to find treasures.
Check the weather to make sure it won’t be too hot, too cold, or raining. Start early and be ready to open for business by at least 7 AM, when the early birds are ready to go. Plan to be open until at least lunchtime or longer so that you can be available to the most people.
A Week Before Your Yard Sale
Prep work should begin a week before your yard sale. Make cardboard signs (maybe you have leftover packing materials?) with the words “yard sale” nice and big. Include your address, the date, starting time, and arrows pointing to your yard sale.
Post on Craigslist, Facebook, and tell your friends and family about your yard sale details for more visibility. Consider posting pictures and a list of items so people can get excited about the things you are selling that they may want.
Enlist friends and family to help with the yard sale. They can help make pricing stickers, set up and break down, and keep traffic flowing. Coordinate everyone’s role a few days out, so you aren’t scrambling in the morning to give everyone directions.
The Day Before Your Yard Sale
Organize your items by either price, category, or another way that makes sense to you. Gather your cash and coins to make change, and consider using a cash drawer or apron to hold money. Get more change than you think you will need, so you don’t have to turn someone away on the day of your yard sale.
Go over the people’s roles assisting you the day of, and have your tables, chairs, and other items to make the day go smoothly, ready to go. You have an early morning to get set up for your yard sale.
The Day Of Your Yard Sale
Get up at least an hour before your start time so you can get set up for your yard sale. Set up your items to make them visually appealing from the road, so traffic driving by is attracted to stop by.
Have plastic grocery bags and newspapers ready for multiple items and breakables. Go through items once more to make sure nothing accidentally got put out that you plan to keep. Only put out the things you are confident will sell and consider donating the rest.
Pricing Items at Your Yard Sale to Sell
When pricing, mark items in $.25 increments, so you only need to have quarters for change. Consider how much you originally spent, how long you’ve owned the item, and how much you’d be willing to pay for it if you came across the item for the first time.
Pricing things to move will get items out quickly. Offer bundle deals for multiple items, like CDs, DVDs, and books. Expect people to haggle and don’t get flustered.
Remember–you are selling items because they no longer serve a purpose. When making a move, you have less to pack and keep track of, which can save on moving costs.
Getting Help with Packing and Moving
The packing and moving professionals at Freedom Moving in Pasadena, Maryland, are ready to help you move your home or office. Whether you’re moving across town or long distance, Freedom Moving can pack for you, move your belongings, and unload the truck at your new location.
Contact us today to get a free estimate on packing and moving. Have a great yard sale!
