Yard Sale season is in full swing, my favorite time of year. I am not a collector of junk like a typical yard sale shopper is labeled, I simply shop yard sales to find the things I need versus going to buy them brand new at the store. Shopping yard sales is an inexpensive way to decorate your house while having a blast doing it. Having a yard sale is a great way to get rid of your junk to someone who has use for it, plus you make a little money while you do it! I have compiled my tips below, from an experienced yard sale host and shopper, for you to be successful while yard sale-ing.

Tips for those shopping a Yard Sale

1. Make a List: Make a list of things that you are looking for and/or need. This will keep you on track while bouncing from sale to sale instead of getting overwhelmed. Like consignment sales, it is very easy to get overwhelmed while yard saling because there is so much stuff for such a great price. While yes, it is a steal of a deal, you already have enough lamps to light the empire state building so you probably don’t need anymore. Your goal: NOT to have to have a yard sale for the stuff you purchased at a yard sale.
2. Create a Budget: This is what helped me A LOT when yard saling. It is so easy to get caught up in what you are buying and not realize how quickly cash is disappearing from your wallet. Instead of just grabbing cash, put a set amount in an envelope. I usually set aside $20 inside the envelope to spend. If there is a larger item on your list- TV, couch, table, chairs, and other higher priced items my suggestion is to keep that money in a separate envelope. That was you are not spending the big item money on little trinkets.
3. Map your Strategy: Take a look at the paper on Friday or on websites that have yard sale sections such as craigslist.org or your local newspapers website under the classifieds for garage sales. There you will get a brief description of what is being sold and the exact address of the sale. Create a map of where you want to go first then use the other addresses to plan out which ones are near your first sale and map out your trip from nearest to farthest. That way you are not driving all over the place and spending more time in the car than at the sales!
4. Approach: There are two approaches when shopping yard sales, the walk up and the drive by. The walk up is where you walk through the yard sale, quickly scan to see if there is anything you want, and move on. The drive by is for more fast paced, goal oriented yard sale shopper. This is where you drive by the same first and scope it out before getting out of the car. While this method could be unsuccessful because you miss seeing some things from the car, if you are in a hurry to get to another sale you know if going to be good, this is the best way.
5. Barter: Never assume what is on the sticker is the absolute lowest price. Now I am not a big barterer, in fact it makes me a little uncomfortable. But the times that I have steamed up the courage to ask the seller if they would take a lower price they almost always say yes. Especially if it is getting late in the morning, usually they will take a lower price since it has not sold yet.

Tips for those hosting a Yard Sale

1. Plan your Sale: Schedule a good day to have the sale, even go in with a neighbor. It is always more appealing when there are two sales rather than one. When getting your items ready clean them up a little but not too much. Typically yard sale-ers don’t mind cleaning something up as long as it is a good bargain. Also, don’t put too much effort into pricing things. In fact, a simple pre-made sticker with the price is sufficient. I have been to sales where they have used a bar code or tagging gun… WAY overboard.
2. Market your Sale: What kind of sign should you have? Should you advertise in the paper? The key to a good sale is a good, eye catching sign. I have been seeing less & less yard sale ads in the newspaper because the cost has gone up so much. There are so many FREE opportunities to list your sale, like craigslist.org, I see no need to pay to advertise your sale unless you are hosting it in an area that gets little to know traffic. Good signs are the key and I recommend big & WHITE (colored signs are hard to read while in a vehicle) with black lettering. I would say the sign should be about the size of an average vinyl sign. Spend about $5 at the dollar store and get some balloons to attach to your signs to make them stand out. This will also help them find you sale- tie balloons on your signs and then tie a single balloon to your mailbox instead of having to make another sign that says “SALE HERE”.
3. Pull out the Stops: Make your sale one that people want to stick around. I have been to so many that they seller is staring at me and everything is laying on the ground and I just feel really uncomfortable. If you have big items display them, lay rugs out so people can see them, etc. Use what you are selling to decorate the place and make it look appealing.
4. Secret to Selling Clothes: Clothes are not always a hit item. Sometimes I fell they are way overpriced for a yard sale. The best sale I have been to that sold clothes did this: Hang clothes that are “good” brands and in good condition and price them $$ for shirts, $$ for pants. Then all of the other clothes lay them on a blanket and charge a $$ amount for (1) FULL Walmart bag. Provide the bags and allow them to fill a whole bag and pay you per bag.
5. Extra Earnings: It is EARLY Saturday morning and most people did not grab breakfast or a drink before getting on the road to snag their bargains. Need something to occupy the kids? Sell soft drinks, water, and baked goods for $.50 each. The kids will have a blast with it (or do it yourself) and you will be surprised at how much you will make! Those yard-sale-er’s LOVE snacks and drinks!
6. Early Birds: Decide ahead of time if you are going to allow early birds. There will always be someone 15-20 min. early looking for “tools” and stuff that sells quickly. If you decide not to allow early birds, simply put a sign up on the mail box of the time of the sale and “no early birds”.
7. The Sale is almost Over: When time is ticking away and it is getting close to closing, have a pre-made sign that says 50% OFF. Put the sign out around 10AM or 11AM in the morning when traffic starts to slow down. You can put it out where the people already at your sale can see it OR you can post them on your signs around town. Do not advertise that you will go 50% off at 10AM before 10AM. You want to make the most of your money before then, you don’t want people to wait until 10AM to buy because they know it is going to go half off!

What Else?

What’s your favourite experience been at a yard sale? What’s your best purchase? Share in the comments below!!