It has to be dirt cheap. You have customers coming by only once, and they have to be hooked right then.

Think of what you'd pay for a second hand item.
Also is the stuff of real quality? Maybe you wnt to place some in a consignment shop.
Be sure to tag and price everything
anything we hate is to have to ask how much is this?
If you have a lot of one thing you might put so many in a box and then make a sign $xx for whole box (like several issues of a magazine or old cutlery

Don't write the price on anything put a small strip of masking tape on first and write on that.
on books write the price in pencil on the inside page up in the corner unless you make a sign like all paperbacks $1 or Hardbacks $2 etc.
try to have things that people have to look thru at a level where they don't have to bend over too much.
It is best if you have a helper
Don't forget a chair and table for you and an umbrella if out in the hot sun.
you might want to post a sign NO Returnables
Check to make sure your county doens requ9ire you purchase a permit (we are only allowed 2 sales a year and must buy a permit)

If you sell any clothes make sure they are clean and maybe a single price for each type. Jeans $xx shirts $xxx

Hope these help I'm sure there are more tips ahead

If you clean things up, you'll get a much better price....small kitchen appliances, dishes etc. Nothing worse than seeing a bunch of greasy, dirty items.

Be prepared for people coming reeeaaal early in the morning.
Wear a fanny pack to put your change and bills in. Get lots of small change....quarters dimes etc. and paper money.

Some people really get into it....have an urn of coffee going, which makes people browse and linger. Some even have a barbecue going and offering sausage patty on a bun, hotdog etc.
That's really putting a lot of effort into it though, but it makes it fun (for the people buying).

After having had a few yard sales in my time, my only and best advice to you is:

Don't bother! Seriously, unless you just have nothing else to fill your time with, it is unlikely that you will make enough money to make it worth it. If you are just trying to get rid of stuff, you're better off taking it to GoodWill. One trip (or more) and you are DONE!

always be aware that the customer will almost ALWAYS offer
LESS than your price. So I wouldn't go dirt cheap right away! lol

if you have it for two days you can make 1/2 off signs and that way get rid of a lot of stuff.

I'm in the "don't bother" camp!

You already said that the dresser you want rid of has been repaired several times and is particle board. You'll be lucky if someone will pay $5 for it.

It's a lot of work to set things out, price them, sit out all day while you sell. No one will give you what you think your items are worth. (Most people have an inflated sense of what their items are worth.) Then you still have to get rid of stuff that didn't sell.

So, several days work getting ready and pricing, several hours selling and reducing your prices, and you'll be darned lucky to come up with more than $3-4/hour, if that, for your labors.

Goodwill is much easier - move it once and done.

There was a conversation about yard sales maybe a week ago.
Several of us said not to bother.....little money made for a lot of work. You also have to watch the light-fingered visitors.....I had my all-in-one-printer stolen.

I mentioned in that thread that FreeCycle is booming here.
So that might be an option as well. Either take your stuff to charity or offer it on Freecycle (or Craigslist, it seems to be more popular in the US than here).

Yard Sale isn't making money hand over fist but they can be so much fun. I themed my last one The God Fathers Yard Sale!
I didn't price a thing I laid out sheets with clothing folded in sizes & dresses hung on a rope tied to a couple tree branches I boxed stuff in batches and tabled many things on 6 tables under a big old oak tree. I made a big sign that said "You maka me an offer I can't refuse." I played the sound tracks from the God Father movies in the background and had a great time. Anyone asked "what do you want for this?" I just said in a heavy Italian accent "Maka me an offer." Most made decent offers some tried to lowball and some offered way more than I would have asked and I would counter with a less amount. Boy were they shocked! Since most all of the stuff was going to go one way or another I only turned down the really ridiculous offers like $.50 cents for a complete set of croquet that was still in the original packaging and $1.00 for a 120 piece dinner stemware and cocktail bar glassware set. Everyone enjoyed themselves and I made $300.+ in 6 hrs. the GW truck came and got the few leftovers.
I try to do one yard sale every year and always find a way to make it fun or really interesting. I think the lowest amount I made was the year a tornado hit 3 blocks over shortly after I got started. Only $90.00 and I gave it to the family who's house was demolished so they could get a night in a motel & dinner out. Insurance people couldn't get to them right away with money and they had nothing in the way of emergency funds. If you want to have a yard sale and don't mind the work of hauling it out then cleaning up after GO FOR IT. Its not going to make you rich in $ but the experience can gain you so much if you expect the unexpected and have fun.

Lil

You really need more than one person to handle this. Four is better and more is better yet. People do like a bathroom break and buyers get upset if people aren't there right away. Or I should say people - not all buy. Don't forget the teardown time, especially if you're running more than one day you set it up early (You should be set up no later than 6am) and go as late as you can, then put it away until the next day. Ideally if you can set it up in a garage or something then you can just open the door and close in when done. Keep your change to a minimum at the sale, but have more inside. Expect a lot of $20 bills for a $1 or $2 purchase. If you have things outside, have tarps ready in case of rain. Check the weather forecast to be aware of the precip probability.

Expect certain rush times. Early in the morning, mid-morning, noonish and probably around 3pm on are the normal rush times around here.

Decide if you're looking to make money on this or are you looking to get rid of stuff? Price high for the former and price ridiculously low for the latter. Yes, people will make offers, that's part of it, but if you want to get rid of it that's part of it.

Group things at least somewhat. Group some things that are "guy stuff" separate from the "gal stuff". Furniture, kitchen stuff should be grouped together. Put out a freebie box for stuff that you don't want to bother with but someone might want. Bags with broken zippers, repairables, etc can go in there.

Have plenty of bags. People seldom bring their own to sales. Newspaper for wrapping breakables is handy too.

Have an extension cord handy to prove that electrical appliances work. Be honest about it, because they know where you live and it's not above some people to be pounding on your door to complain if something isn't as represented.

Have help to load furniture. People will look for it. If you have some old rope or something it's helpful, but not required. Especially with furniture a lot of people will as you to "hold" it for them. Some do this as a stunt to get a better price later. I would allow it to stay but it needs to be paid in full. Make it clear that it sits outside (in case of rain) and you can't guard it from damage.

Remove anything that you're not selling if at all possible or people will assume it's for sale. Remove any and all obstacles, such as downspouts, garden hoses, etc. People DO NOT pay attention and it's a litigious world. Check with your insurance agent that you have adequate coverage.

I would block off the driveway. People will park in it, drive up to the merchandise and then others will block them into the driveway. Have a vehicle out so someone can make a run to the bank for change if needed. Know your banks's hours. If you don't have change, you won't sell stuff. I always kept at least $150-$200 in change available. Be aware that people will pass counterfit bills so I'd limit change on big bills and know your risks. I would never take a check (especially a traveler's check) and be sure to have a calculator, scratch paper and pens handy. Have a "check out" area with a table (card table works well) for your cash box or pouch or keep the money on you. Have it in a spot where you can be in the sun early if it's chilly but can move to shade if it's hot. You might want sunscreen. I kept a fan and even an electric heater handy to keep the cashier comfortable.

Masking tape works well for pricing as does painters tape. It's also handy to tape up cords and tape accessories to the item. Tape down the top especially if clear to discourage people from taking things apart.

Make signs! BIG signs! Just say SALE, the address and a BIG arrow so you can guide people to you. Put a big sign on the car out front.

People seldom have enough tables and many people don't like bending over for small stuff on the ground. Stuff on the ground WILL be stepped on, kicked and damaged. Best to have tables - makeshift or whatever. Two chairs and a ladder with some cardboard on it is a workable table. Sawhorses and boards. Even some strong cardboard boxes will hold lightweight things. Totes work but people will want to buy them. Sell them if they'll pay the right price!

Tend your stuff continually. Close up big gaps. There's a natural aversion to buying the last item on the shelf so make it look as full as possible without being too crowded. Just condense down.

They're a lot of work but sales can be successful. It depends on the merchandise, the effort put into it, the weather and more. If someone makes an offer, decide whether you'd prefer to throw it instead of accept the offer. You won't necessarily have another buyer. I did however tell some people that I'd throw it away before I'd sell it for that! Some bought it and some didn't. But I didn't do it too much. A lot depended on the person I was dealing with!

Remember you're a sales person. Greet your "customers" with a big smile, chit-chat and the like. Ask how their "saling" is going and make the small talk. When they're comfortable they'll buy more at better prices. If you're going to have a markdown day, tell them and put up signs.

Usually the first people there are the serious ones who are hitting as many sales as possible. If you're organized, they'll sail through and gather armloads. If you have stuff they know someone else wants they'll often call them and let them know. Sometimes dealers and serious salers work in groups hitting a lot of sales - I'll check this block, you do that one.

Lock up the pets!

You'll wish you had done some things differently but you'll learn as you go. Good luck.

All I can say is Wow! How nice of you gals to write out such a detailed plan for Fireman's wife - where were you all when I had my first garage sale years ago...lol.
The only thing I would reiterate is don't leave the money laying around, sadly it WILL get stolen. And keep an eye on your more pricey things especially if you get a big crowd.
Good luck and can't wait to see how you make out.
Suzan J

Wow...I had no idea it was that much work and truely that much of a pain.
Thanks for everyone advice and helpful tips.

great hints from Cynic!! I'm having one on the 18th and 19th with a couple of friends...yes it is tough getting things to gether but it's so worth it to have it gone and to have made a few dollars on the stuff...

All I can say is make great signs to find the yard sale. Write big enough to see it from a car. I like signs that are color coded and have very large arrows. Nothing is worse than driving all over creation looking for a yard sale and not being able to find it. I will give up and go home. My friend will get out and pull up and throw away the signs if she can't find one.

I don't have yard sales...I live too far in the country and I don't want strangers coming here because I am alone, but I go to a lot of them.

If you decide to have a yard sale -- check out the local newspapers for ads. Some papers do them for free. Even if not, it's a good idea. If you don't have kid items, say so. If you have tools, etc. let people know you have guys stuff. Something like - XXXX Street, no kid clothes/toys, lots of hardback/paperbacks, misc kitchen items, household goods, dresser & sofa, womens clothing sizes L-LX, Mens LX-XXX

But I agree it's a LOT OF WORK - when you can just take stuff to Goodwill, thrift store and take a tax deduction.
We have several thrift stores that support local charities - that's where I take our stuff. Money goes to food pantry and community kitchen. They got 85 teeshirts, 13 pr mens pants, a couple of sport coats & ties..
I live,sorta, in town - but with lousy parking in the neighborhood [deep ditches on both sides of narrow street]

I love having yard sales and usually make between $100-$300 depending on how much stuff I have to get rid of. Once I sold a 20 year old Sears bedroom set for $250, I was so sick of it, and someone was really happy to get a whole set for that price.

I sold off the little contents of late MIL's house (no furniture or appliances or clothes, no crap or junk, just the better things) about 5 years ago and did over $2K in one weekend- $1200 the first nice day and then $800 on the 2nd day at half-off and in the rain.

We do it in the parking lot where I work, we have cover if we need it or open spaces if it's nice out. We always do a multi-family and set something big up out at the road to capture attention. We have lots of fun and make ourselves drinks in the afternoon and bring great snacks and lunches and coffee, but not to feed to the shoppers. We're nice, but we're not that nice! lol

I, too, love having yard sales. Now, mind you, I don't do them often. MAYBE once a year or so. It IS a lot of work, but I think it's a blast to interact with the people and make a fun day out of it. 2 friends and I had one this Spring. I made $230. As far as I'm concerned, it's $230 I didn't have when I got up that morning, I've got more room in my house, I got some exercise moving things around and out (LOL), I met people I'd never met before, and we had fun.

What's not to like about that?

One request, please - - - immediately after it's over, PLEASE go around and take down all of the signs you've put up. Too many people fail to do that. That's just rude, IMO.

Have fun!

Suzieque

Get help. Watch for thieves. Price things higher than what you will take so your customers can "....." you down and think they got a good deal.

Setting up and tearing down is a big PITA! When we moved I swore I'd never have another one and I haven't. I don't even like to go to them anymore. Seems like everyone has the same junk I got rid of. I think maybe we just pass it around :-)

One thing nobody's mentioned yet is when people ask to use your bathroom. That will be up to you but I could never refuse someone. We lived about 5 miles out of town! But you need someone inside with them while they are in there.

I donate my stuff to Habitat for Humanity. They don't take clothing but we have a Goodwill donation truck just outside our community gate in the shopping plaza. Habitat comes and picks up furniture and household items. Sure makes it easy!

We are having a yard sale the Saturday after Father's Day weather permitting. It will be at Amber's. We have lots of folding tables and lots of signs. It is always the men's job to hang the signs and then go around after the sale is over and gather them all up. We save them from year to year. We save our plastic bags all year long and have them on hand. I usually have $100 in change, but don't keep it all out at the cashier's table. We make it a family thing and have fun with it. I cook food for the evening before and the day of for us all to eat. We have those that aren't helping to at least come and eat a meal with us. We usually have some free stuff. If after the sale is over there are things we don't want to pack up, we just mark it free and put it by the road, it always goes. We will probably have another one in the fall during Heritage Days. Oh this is in the country and we always have lots of people. Sometimes we put up big canopies, don't know that we will for a one day sale though. My official job if I help is the "bag lady". So if you have one, just make it a fun thing. Don't for get the ad in the paper.

Sue

It is alot of work. That's why I've only had one.

If I were to do it over again, I would take the small stuff to the Salvation Army and sell the large items (furniture, etc.) on CL or with a newspaper ad.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Tammy

I've done two yard sales. Never again! People stole things, argued over price, came back to return stuff, asked me to hold things then never came back. I'd never hold another. I made almost no money. Better off giving things away and get a tax receipt.

Everyone gave great advice above. My only tip to add, which makes things WAY EASIER, is to mark everything in 25 cent increments. It makes it much easier to make change when you are only working with quarters, and not nickels and dimes, too.

Great advice here.
One thing I did read some years ago was to price your things at 10% of their original price. That helps me keep prespective on what things should go for and if I really want to get 35 cents for my wonderful, fabulous, darling little thingamajig or should I just keep it in the cabinet LOL.
Good luck with your sale.... have fun!

Post signs at the sale "Not Responsible for Accidents" "No Checks" "All things sold as is, no returns"

Very definitly, don't do it alone. Having help makes it easier to keep track of things and people, lets you take a restroom break, and is MUCH safer!

Tami

It amazes me that someone would steal from a yard sale. Who does that?!?

Money wise I'll bet you'd be better off donating to Goodwill & taking a nice fat tax deduction!

Those that steal from yard sales are the same ones who want you to drop the price by half [I mean, come on, you won't pay 50 cents for a pair of jeans?]
So what have you decided? If you priced everything & got your price -- how much would you make. I did a google search on calculating the value... might be helpful in making your decision. Also, take into consideration of the value of YOUR time spent organizing, pricing & then staging the yard sale... Would you 'make money'?

Here is a link that might be useful: donated items value

A lot of good advice above.

Make it a fun thing, with various family participating, if there's any interest. You'll need several helpers.

Don't let anyone into the house alone(and have someone watching the door, if it isn't visible, especially, and keep all out-of-sight doors locked, for sure).

Have someone keep people using the bathroom in sight at all times (except when they're in the can - and have stripped it of all valuables that aren't nailed down, if you want to avoid being screwed, prior to the fateful day).

Also - only one person in there at a time.

Have fun.

ole joyful

At my yard sale, my husband had a box of records that "disappeared"' and my cash box was also stolen. I live in a pretty nice neighborhood, but I think their are lowlifes everywhere who take advantage of little people.

I am thinking I might just skip the yard sale and donate our "junk". It's just not worth the hassle.