With the weather warming up my thoughts are turning to the outdoors after being cooped up in the house all winter. So with that in mind, why not consider having a yard sale? It’s a great way to get rid of unwanted items and maybe make a little extra cash at the same time.
Already NJ towns, Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, have announced the dates of their town-wide yard sales (May 15 and May 22 respectively). Check out www.highlandsnj.com and www.ahnj.com for more information.
How about banding together with neighbours and making it a block-wide event? The proceeds could benefit neighbourhood improvements, a local charity or a social cause. Two years ago, some residents from Needham, MA donated the proceeds from their town-wide sale to their new playing fields fund.
Yard sale prep takes time. The better organized and more attractive your sale is the higher customer interest will be. Go through all your storage areas, closets, garages, etc. Really look at each item closely – if it’s in good condition and you don’t need it, then put it in the sale pile. If you wouldn’t use it in its current condition, then probably no one else will either, so recycle or toss broken or worn out items. Group similar sale items to make set-up easier on the big day.
Set-up the area like a store, grouping house wares in one spot, clothing and accessories in another, etc. Make sure the items are clearly and securely priced and displayed neatly. Any miscellaneous items that you feel won’t bring in cash but someone might like, put in the “FREE BASKET.” You will be happy to see how much of it goes.
A friend and I had a sale at her house in the Hamptons a few years ago and we received such positive feedback from our clientele. They appreciated how we positioned merchandise to move as well as created a user-friendly experience.
Don’t forget about signage – it is something many sellers take for granted. I know I get discouraged when I am following signs and then they disappear leaving me in the middle of nowhere. Or the text is so tiny it is unreadable while driving by. Make lots of signs leading to your location. Use brightly coloured poster board with black letters and place them strategically in your area.
The FINAL RULE – when the sale is over, NOTHING COMES BACK INTO THE HOUSE! Dispose of usable items at your local thrift shop, put leftovers on the curb for latecomers and dumpster divers or send appropriate pieces to the recycling bin. You will have had a fun day, met your neighbours and filled your coffers. How can you lose!
If you need help organizing your sale, I can help. Bookings are available after May 7.
Rosemary Flannery All Rights Reserved 2010
