Yard Sales....

[BJewels79]

I'm not sure this is the correct place for this, but I'm getting ready to do my very first yard sale at the end of this month. I have 3 boys, ages (almost) 10 months, 3 yrs and (almost) 6 yrs old. Over the past 6 years we have acquired massive amounts of everything.....which doesn't work with our smallish 1000 sq ft home. Once each of my kids hits a year, I seem to get motivated to clean out and seeing as the baby is more than likely our last, I'm even prepared to get rid of ALL of our baby/maternity stuff! We live in a rural area, but fairly close to town. We have large furniture pieces to sell also (from a home we inherited), so the sale has to happen at the house as we have no way to move so much to a better location. My question....do I price everything? My SIL has mini-yard sales at her place of business every 6 months or so. She mostly sells outgrown clothes and toys. In the past, she said she priced everything, but found it seemed to discourage people from buying. Now she just puts everything out and lets everyone ask what she wants for items. So what would you do? I have smallish amounts of clothes, TONS of toys, largish baby items (changing table, exersaucer type toys, bouncey seat, carseats, etc), and some misc household items (candle holders, dishes, wall hangings, lamps, books etc etc). Most everything is currently packed away in our shed. And is there a good place to figure out what to charge for most things....like DVDs, we have a huge box of those to sell (another inherited item), they are like new and many are complete tv series....lots of kid dvds etc. Basically, guide me as I prepare for this huge sale (that I'm hoping will generate enough cash to "pay" for the pool we just purchased).

[Juvysen]

I just wing it, but I'm interested in what other people say...

[BJewels79]

Honestly, that's what I'm thinking I'll do : I have so much stuff to get rid of and it would be easier I think. My sister will most likely be the only other person there with me (she did her first yard sale with SIL last weekend and wants to try and sell off a few more things), so it won't be like two people will be offering up prices ya know? But I don't want people discouraged with no prices either. I mean, I plan to be VERY flexible I just want most of this stuff gone. But I don't want to find out later that I priced things way too high/low. For instance, I've been thinking of offering the huge stack of kids books for 50 cents each or 4/$1...but I kind of feel it's too cheap, kind of feel it's just right. Personally, I would pay more than that if they were in good condition (and all these books are), but I don't shop yard sales all that much either. My SIL sold all her clothes at $1 each for tops and $2 each for bottoms....and some she said weren't in great shape but okay enough....yet she sold them all ?

[allnaturalmom]

I just price things to get rid of them. One or two bucks each (within reason, of course). At noon everything is half price as I just don't want to take anything home. I figure... I've gotten things before for a really great deal when I needed them and I just want to help someone else out the same way. Also, I just don't want the hassle of having to pack the stuff back up and storing it until I can take it somewhere else.

gl
hth

[doubledutch]

only price the stuff you really care about getting a certain dollar amount. for other stuff, i'd just price the category. like kids clothes are 50 cents unless marked. dvds $2 or $3, seasons of tv $10. price the furniture but price to sell, like $5 for something smaller (like a dining room chair or an end table) up to $20 for larger/nicer stuff (unless it's REALLY nice).

if you have some things that are too nice to sell at garage sale prices, put it on craigslist at least a week or two before the sale, to see if you can get more for it.

[BJewels79]

I'm at that point for almost everything I think There are a few toys that I am not willing to let go for next to nothing simply because I know my boys would still play with them if/when we have more room (within the year we'll have it!). However, if I can sell them, I'd rather have the $$ now ya know? But most everything else can just go. I somewhat regret giving away the 4 bags of clothes simply because at $1 each I could have easily made $100 or more on them (most were worn once or twice or new with tags!)...instead I gave them away hoping they'd help someone and my SIL ended up taking them....and then selling many of them at her own yard sale (and no, she doesn't "need" the money)

[BJewels79]

Yeah, the furniture I plan to price really cheap. We have a massive waterbed that is in great shape...I listed it on Craigslist (closest one) for $100 OBO and not a single bite So I'll start at $100 for it, but really we just want someone to take it out of our way so we can renovate. And then there's a futon in good shape...I offered that for $30 OBO and no bites. I just hope the yard sale will get it gone. I hate just tossing things, but DH is ready to toss all that stuff so we can get work done! We do have beds that will be free for someone to take and some shelving and such also. I just want it done yesterday...

[ASusan]

Originally Posted by doubledutch

only price the stuff you really care about getting a certain dollar amount. for other stuff, i'd just price the category. like kids clothes are 50 cents unless marked. dvds $2 or $3, seasons of tv $10. price the furniture but price to sell, like $5 for something smaller (like a dining room chair or an end table) up to $20 for larger/nicer stuff (unless it's REALLY nice).

if you have some things that are too nice to sell at garage sale prices, put it on craigslist at least a week or two before the sale, to see if you can get more for it.

Put prices on things. I will not buy something if I have to ask how much. If something is priced too high, I may try to bargain down, but if there is NO price, I won't bother at all.

Price by category, as above. And specify prices on things that you want more for. But, overall, price to get rid of things.

You could do it by color - RED sticker = $.25; BLUE = $.50, etc.
But, intuitively, it is easier for the shopper if it is by category -
paperback books = $.25 or 5/$1.00
Children's clothing items $.50/each
etc.

Put the furniture out on the lawn/driveway. Big items draw people in.

[Juvysen]

I do put out signs for categories... or if I'm lazy, I just tell people when they come up. I think I did $1 each for clothes I didn't get everything sold and I did drop the price toward the end, but my policy is that if anything doesn't sell goes in a bag and goes directly to charity - nothing comes back in. Which isn't so easy with the non-clothing stuff. We don't have a great option here for non-clothing charity items, from what I've seen.

[justmeandmybrood]

I tend to agre to at least have a (starting) price on everything...when I shop thrift shops and yard sales and there is no price, especially if the seller is busy, I just walk away.

Pricing per category has been easy for us, and I also post signs to the effect, "Don't like our price? Please feel free to make us a deal!" or "Open to offers," etc.

We also have the policy of donating directly to charity following the sale (except if there is something particularly good, like a super trike we had).

Do make sure to advertise your yard sale on Craig's List and around the neighborhood, both avenues have helped us greatly!

If $ is the bottom line, I would suggest going the route of consignment shops, especially for nicer pieces like an exersaucer, etc. If you are at the point of just needing to be rid of it all, then of course the yard sale is the way to go. It is also helpful to know the personality of the people who shop around you - I have ours figured out and can price accordingly now after 2-3 sales

Good luck!!

[ASusan]

My brilliant idea was "HALF PRICE at NOON."

Cleared out LOTS of stuff. By 2pm, I was packing up, and by 4pm, the truck arrived for household donations to our local charity.

[justmeandmybrood]

ASusan, what a terrific idea!!

[mkksmom]

We are having our first yard sale in early June. I'm looking forward to it, but nervous about the logistics at the same time. My hubby hurt his back, and we have a 7 month old and an almost 6 year old. The almost 6 year-old will be a lot of help, but hopefully the baby will be happy to be worn all day and will let me get some sleep the night before. I spent an hour in the basement last night organizing things and I still have more to go. I have hanging racks and I want to hang most of the clothes. I have heard they sell better that way.

ETA: http://www.yardsalequeen.com/yardsale.htm

[ASusan]

Yes, hang the clothes. I sold none of the clothing that was neatly folded on tables.

Can you hire a high schooler to help? I had horrific back issues last June (yard sale weekend), and DH was out of town. Even though I paid someone to help me move things from the basement to the garage, and then price them, it was well worth the expense.