Make Money With Yard Sales
by LeDonna Willis - 5trolls@bellsouth.net

Description: Learn how to make money with yard sales.

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Yard sales are an easy way to clean house and make a little money at the same time. When the basement, garage or attic overflows with junk, you simply put a few signs on trees announcing your upcoming sale, then set up shop for the day. This requires no special entrepreneurial skills to boot.

Now granted, most yard sales only pull in an extra $200 or so but you could bring in as much as $1200 from the same merchandise (or maybe you have a web site with goods that didn't sell quite so well, just mark them down and display them with your other yard sale goods) by applying a little yard sale know-how.

*Get experience. Volunteer to help out your neighbor or a friend whose having a yard sale. Spend some time watching the shoppers and take note of which items and types of displays that attract them.

*When choosing a date for your sale avoid holiday weekends. Saturday and Sunday usually work well.

*Start your yard sale early in the morning around 7 AM to catch the bargain hunters.

*If you have a choice, pick a spot that is heavily trafficked. Locations a block or two off a main street work best.

*Have plenty of merchandise and if you don't ask a few neighbors to join forces with you.

*Clean and repair items. Clothing should be washed and ironed, jewelry polished and furniture dusted.

*Price items ahead of time. Many shoppers hate to ask about price so make it easy for them to buy. Clearly mark all items with easily removed tags. Ask for about 25-30% more than you want so that you'll have room to negotiate for customers who like to bargain.

If you have a shop on the net or do auctions by all means include these items at special prices.

Promotion: It pays to advertise in the local paper a few days before the event. Yes! Dedicated bargain shoppers do comb the ads for yard sales. In your ad mention a few of the more interesting items you plan, i.e., computer, antiques, equipment.

Make your own posters on standard-size paper and put them up on bulletin boards and telephone poles. Once again, be sure to mention some of your special items.

The more attractive and fun you make your signs the more likely you'll be to attract impulse shoppers. Use clip art, transfer letters and bright colors but remember simple is better. Large arrows pointing in the direction of your yard sale is much more effective than directions. Try to have a sign up at every intersection within a two-mile radius of your house.

Day of Sale: Get help with your yard sale. You should have at least two people to deal with the heavy traffic and also to watch out for theft. Many cars will slow down and look, then keep going. To reel these people in put up a sandwich-board sign announcing the sale in front of your house or car. Make your sale look attractive from the road by stringing crepe paper runners, colorful ribbons or balloons up front. Put your best items up front so that they can be seen easily.

Don't just pile your stuff up any old way. Make it attractive so people want to stop. Cover your tables with bright colored cloth, group similar items together, hang clothing up, display jewelry against a dark background.

*Be friendly. Make potential customers like you. Offer a handshake, a coke and a smile. Tell shoppers about special items or point out items related to their special interest. Make them feel like guest in your home.

People shop at yard sales not only for bargains but also for recreation. Make your yard sale fun with mystery bags or a free box of stuff you really don't care about. Have music playing in the background. Give a few balloons away to the children. You can offer free or low cost refreshments.

Make people want to stay and they'll spend more money.

Reprinted with permission.

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