Yard or Garage Sale Dos & Don’ts
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Do you want to have a successful yard sale this year? Maybe you are getting ready to move or maybe you have just been decluttering and would like to make a little extra cash for your stuff. If you have a lot of things to get rid of, it may be worth having a yard sale. Donation centers can get overwhelmed and we should always avoid throwing perfectly good things in the trash. (Of course, if something is stained or broken you shouldn’t inflict them on donation centers either.)
Yard Sale Dos...
- Understand your reasons for having a yard sale. Do you just want to get rid of things or do you need money for a specific goal too?
- Be aware of any permits that may be required for your municipality.
- Consider where you live. Are you in a busy or remote area? How much traffic naturally goes by? The less traffic you have, the more advertising you may need to do and signs you will need to put up.
- Start decluttering and finding things for your yard sale early. Designate an area to store your decluttered yard sale items until you are ready to have your sale.
- Organize your items by category. It will be easier for people to look for the things they want if they are placed together.
- Put signs up a few days in advance, in strategic places to advertise the address, date and times for your sale. You can buy a (yard) Garage sale kit with signs, posts, stickers and checklist at Canadian Tire. Garage sale signs are also available at Dollarama. (*Not sponsored.)
- Have an extension cord or electrical outlet available to test any electrical items.
- Get change ready to have on hand and have a cash box or fanny pack to keep money in..
- Collect bags or boxes for people to take their purchases.
Yard Sale Don'ts...
- Can people safely stop and park on the road? You might want to reconsider having a yard sale at all if people won’t be able to stop and take a look at all your goodies.
- Don’t forget to clean and wipe the dust off items. No one wants to buy anyone else’s dirt.
- Be careful about selling children’s items. Don’t sell expired car seats or other safety items.
- Don’t be rigid in your pricing because people expect to haggle at a yard sale.
- Avoid cluttering your yard sale display. Keep walkways clear.
- Don’t plan to have your yard sale on a day that isn’t typically known as a yard sale day. Most yard sales take place on a weekend with the busiest, “best” day being Saturday in most areas.
- Have you enlisted help for your yard sale? Don’t try to do it all by yourself because it can be overwhelming when there are many people shopping at your sale. It will be easier to set up, have signs put up and deal with customers with help. You may have some heavier items that people need help getting in their vehicles too.
Have a plan for leftover items...
- Will you be able to put things at the edge of your lawn or driveway for people to pick up for free?
- Perhaps you will take everything to a donation center.
- Will some things have to go to the dump or recycling depot?
- Maybe you plan on doing this every year and can store things away for another sale?
You can watch the video below...
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