Yard sale observations and tips

[disneysteve]

I went yard sale shopping today for the first time this year. I probably hit at least 20 sales. I often hear/read comments from people who say having a yard sale isn't worth it, too much work, not enough return, etc. I wonder how many of those people are like the ones I saw today.

1. At one of the first sales, the host wasn't there. I discovered she was across the street and a few houses down at another neighbor's sale chatting with her. Of course, that meant she wasn't at her own sale to answer any questions, give me prices, negotiate or make a sale.

2. At one sale, the family dog was on a leash that was long enough to prevent me from actually getting close to the tables of stuff. Folks, keep the dog in the house.

3. One sale had mainly cardboard boxes filled with assorted merchandise. Sorry, but it isn't my job to unpack and display your stuff. If you want people to buy it, you need to let them see it.

4. Two older teens were staffing one sale. They seemed nice enough. Unfortunately, the father (I presume) was mowing the lawn right next to the driveway where the sale was. Couldn't that wait until a little later folks?

5. At multiple sales, the person running the sale was talking on the phone. Folks, put the phones away. Talking on the phone when you have customers coming to buy your stuff is just plain rude and certainly won't help make your sale a success. I'm not doing business with someone who is too preoccupied with their phone call to talk to me.

[moneybags]

6. Your stuff is way over-priced. You can't use "Ebay" prices for a garage sale. Garage sale prices should be much lower.

[GoodBuyGirl]

I've always hated going to sales where the people don't price the items.
I also don't enjoy the ones where they just dump their crap willy nilly on a blanket on the ground.

People don't seem to understand that if they display their stuff like crap then people will perceive it as crap and walk on by.

[dmontngrey]

We went this weekend for the first time this year, and were disappointed in the sales held by homeowners. Church sales were FUN! Uh, if you're selling the same stuff I can get in a dollar store - why do you think I'd want to pay a dollar at your yard sale? I passed. I expect dollar store stuff to be 25 or 50 cents at the most. I also can tell the couponers apart now! Yup, selling the same stuff I got for free recently at CVS. Well, people DO buy that stuff.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by moneybags

6. Your stuff is way over-priced. You can't use "Ebay" prices for a garage sale. Garage sale prices should be much lower.

Yes. I see that one all the time. People just don't get it. I've actually had people say, "I could get $20 for that on ebay." That might be true, but your yard sale isn't ebay. If you want $20 for it, sell it on ebay. If you want $5 for it, sell it at a yard sale.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by dmontngrey

Uh, if you're selling the same stuff I can get in a dollar store - why do you think I'd want to pay a dollar at your yard sale?

I actually have this complaint about Goodwill and other thrift shops. I see them selling items that I know came from a dollar store and they are charging a dollar or more. The one store has a rack of DVDs that are still marked $1.00 from the dollar store. Goodwill charges $1.98. How ridiculous is that?

[Aleta]

My son and his wife are what I would call professional garage salers. We have gone with them and if he goes by a garage sale and see alot of cardboard boxes stuffed with clothes and other items - he doesn't go there. No one wants to have to rifle thru boxes and pull out clothes that are wrinkled.

You have to display your items in an attractive manner. We strung up poles and hung clothing on clothes hangers. I even put the sizes of the clothes on a sticky attached to the clothes. I had very little clothing left at the end of the day.

Take pride in your yard sale and give the people a reason to stop at your house. Play some music and as Steve said, - be there and engaged as if you cared.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Aleta

if he goes by a garage sale and see alot of cardboard boxes stuffed with clothes and other items - he doesn't go there. No one wants to have to rifle thru boxes

Of course, the flip side to this is that sometimes folks put out boxes of stuff that they don't think are of any value. That can often result in a goldmine for someone who knows what they're looking at. My best ebay sale ever was an item I found in a box of assorted stuff. It was a travel agency cruise ship display model. I bought it for $1.00 and sold it on ebay a week later for $213.00. The owner probably thought it was junk because the case was cracked.

So sometimes, taking a minute or two to peruse the boxes can pay off.

[creditcardfree]

I can't imagine not organizing a sale. I even reorganize as the sale proceeds, since things get moved around.

I tend to group like items together. I even pin outfits together so pieces don't get lost. I put small toys in plastic bags. I guess a lot this comes from doing church consignment sales in the past. It definitely pays off to show your items in a good light.

My sale is in less than two weeks!! Can't wait.

[Aleta]

Steve: Can't argue with success. That was a great find. I personally like stopping at garage sales but I am taken back abit.

My point was that there are things that could turn people away from yard sales. My son and his wife are one of those.

[HamSandwich]

I never did understand yard sales. Are people trying to actually make a profit from these? Or are they just trying to get rid of their old stuff?

[KTP]

I think people mostly do it as a forced way to clean out junk or they have fun with it, sort of play making of being a retail business. I know as a kid I used to love running the "register" at my mom's garage sales. (the register was a shoebox).

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

KTP, you surely have a different idea of fun than I do. To me a yard sale would be drudgery, not fun. Though I sometimes like going to them, I do not want to have one myself.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Joan.of.the.Arch

KTP, you surely have a different idea of fun than I do. To me a yard sale would be drudgery, not fun. Though I sometimes like going to them, I do not want to have one myself.

Joan, I think yard sales are a lot of fun. I enjoy setting things up, speaking with customers and neighbors who come by, getting my hands dirty, making some money and clearing out some space in our garage. I always end the day with a sense of accomplishment that I don't get in my daily life otherwise.

[Aleta]

I have also met neighbors in the neighborhood that I never knew before. It's also more fun if you can get a friend to help by letting her sell some of her own items which may not otherwise be enough for a yard sale on her own.

By letting a neighbor sell items make your own yardsale larger.

[Scanner]

More about the EBAY vs. YARDSALE debate:

I am no expert (either seller or buyer) on each but appears the "Stamp of Ebay" allows to command a psychological premium? Is that the psychology here?

I personally don't get that.

I remember my golf bag was dry rotted at one point and needed a new one. We had a neighborhood yard sale, and I was walking the baby and I noticed where a person was selling his, that he had only bought 2 years ago and used it maybe 10x for something like $20.00. I could touch it, feel it, negotiate and not have to compete with other bidders. Plus, you can examine it to make sure there are no tears, rips, defects, etc.

Impulse buy at the time but I bought it and still have it. (maybe he got a new one for a x-mas gift and needed to dump it)

I would personally rather buy something from a garage sale over Ebay where you have to sort through all the listings and when you do finally find a quality listing. . .you are up against bidders.

I personally think Ebay is more geared towards the seller and the yard sale towards the buyer.

But then again, I'm not usually either.

I am a thrower-awayer.

DisneySteve. . .you seem like both. . .is their an Ebay psychology/cult I am not aware of?

[creditcardfree]

Scanner, just my thoughts on ebay.

The buyer on ebay tends to like the thrill of competition that auctions bring, they like to stay at home to search for their item, they may be a niche buyer looking for something rare and specific, and not all the buyers have access to garage sales.

I have a friend who lives in a town of 200. She has 5 kids and they are no where near a decent store...so she buys and sells a ton on ebay. It works for her.

[HamSandwich]

yeah i agree with creditcardfree. there is definitely a thrill that comes with ebay and bidding. personally, i always enjoyed the feeling of winning a bid at the last minute by like a dollar. i think thats the appeal of ebay as a virtual auction house.

[snafu]

Tips for yard salers... Try to involve your neighbors as more stuff attracts more visitors. Advertise, before the event via handbills, store bulletin boards, community newsletter & add 2-3 easily visible, compelling street signs on sale day.

Mid May – mid September 10:00 am – noon. Be ready by 8 am as ‘early-birds’ [often re-sellers] will ring your doorbell and expect you to welcome them. Group like stuff together, price according to what YOU would pay for the items, about 80% below retail for games, toys, sporting goods, tools, bldg. supplies, furniture, home décor, paint, wallpaper, drapes, rugs, electronics. Get fit items 30% less than retail.
Use temporary shelves to display books, paperbacks @ .25 ea.; rig a hanging system for clothes.

Display your stock to be visible from the street; group 1 good item with an ugh. Use humor to negotiate with buyers, never, ever show disappointment

Use a pocket apron for a cash box, 30 dollar bills/loonies, 3 rolls quarters, 1 roll dimes. Try to remember the point is to get rid of stuff no longer serving YOU!
Buyers feel free to offer 20% of typical retail prices. you can always negotiate upwards!
Hope someone finds this helpful

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Originally Posted by snafu

group 1 good item with an ugh.

Would that be to make the better item seem more desirable in contrast?