Yard Sales

So I've never had one before but am thinking of doing one this spring, to make some $$$ and clean out my house.

What are things that usually "sell"?

What are items that should just be tossed or donated?

How do you advertise?

What is the average you have made from your sale?

How often do you do them?

Re: Yard Sales

My friends and I do them every year.

We put out TONS of stuff. Best sellers are work tools, musical instruments, home decor, furniture, old video games, clothing and trolls (inside joke, we get one guy who comes to all our sales looking for trolls)

You should toss anything dirty or that doesn't work.

We advertise on Craigs List and put up tons of signs the morning or or the night before (if it doesn't rain). Neon signs of all the same color work best. Make them BOLD so people can find you. Some people just go by the signs they see.

On average, we can make around $400-$500 combined for the bunch of us that do it together.

The BEST money we made was when a local church also had a yard sale the same day. We advertised right outside the exit and we had TONS of people come to ours right after that one. So, if you can plan yours the same day as something going on in your area, you will do well.

HTH

Re: Yard Sales

We held one last year at my parents house, so I guess you could say it was multi-family. My parents, me and DH and 2 of my sisters and one brother all put stuff out.

We were mobbed for 2 days striaght! So much stuff went the first day, we all went back to our houses that night to find more things for the next day.

Things that sold fast were the baby items, old electronics, stereo and computer stuff, tools, small furniture like bookcases, end tables, chairs, etc., housewares, especially things in complete sets. Clothes also sold really well, as did shoes (which really surprised me since I don't think I could buy a pair of used shoes, but it goes to show people will buy anything!). Bags and purses too.

Things that didn't really sell were books. And we had them all displayed nicely so that they could easily be seen and not rooted through.

We hauled in more than $1500 in two days. We posted huge Neon oaktag signs at all major intersections and parked a car with a sign on it at the end of hte block. We also ran a Craig's List ad. There were 2 other houses having sales the same day as us, so that helped because people were coming to us after the others.

The down side of it all.... We had a lot of stuff my parents put out for the garbage (anything worthy that didn't sell we donated to Big Brothers and Sisters). Well, people came afterwards to garbage pick and my dad woke up in the morning to his curbside garbage completely ripped apart and strewn all over the street

Re: Yard Sales

Yes definetly make signs that are noticeable and inviting.
It seems to work.

Re: Yard Sales

Thanks Ladies :D.

Re: Yard Sales

Post your signs on very busy streets directing people. Don't use a sharpie! People can't read it while driving by. Use black paint and a thick brush.

If there are things that don't get sold, put them back in the house! Have another sale in a few months. Think you kept this stuff this long, you can keep this minimal stuff a few more months. If it doesn't sell, then donate it!