Spring time is also Yard Sale time, and with it comes an opportunity to either make some money, find that potential priceless piece of art for a few bucks, or simply help out our environment by taking part in a time-honoured tradition that ultimately keeps things out of landfill.
Before partaking though, it’s good to have a few pointers in mind, depending on your point of view that will help maximize your experience.
If you’ve ever hosted a yard sale, you have witnessed the ‘yard sale aficionado’. They know all the tricks to make the most of each and every yard sale opportunity. They are hardcore to the point of scouring the Thursday Classifieds to plan a strategy on the best sales and deals for the up-coming weekend.
To empower the less experienced shopper, I’ve sourced tips and tricks from professional yard salers as well as my own personal experience. This year, you will shop with the utmost confidence, finding your fabulous treasures we know are out there. Whether you’re a pro deal-hunter or virgin yardsaler, these tips will help ensure your experience is a success.
FOR SHOPPERS
When to shop?
The earlier you arrive, the greater the selection, but the later you go, the better the deal. Think of the first hour as peak-time for selection, but the last hour as the best chance for a bargain!
Furniture sells first—so go early if that’s what you’re after. Kids toys and games also tend to sell fast.
Remember, if you like something, buy it! It might not be there if you think about it and come back later.
What to bring?
Cash Only! Yard sales only accept cash. Bring plenty of small bills so making change is easy.
Plan your budget before you hit the sales, or establish price limits for certain items so you don’t overspend.
Think about how you’ll get purchases home. If you don’t have a large vehicle, you can order a taxi minivan for $10 extra (on top of the fare price) and your item will be delivered to your front door. Some sellers will also be willing to deliver it for you if they have the means once the sale is done – it never hurts to ask.
How to bargain?
Remember, good manners make for good negotiating. When you walk up to a table, say hello and be friendly. Never ask, “What’s your best price?” Instead, ask, “Would you consider less?”
To get the best bang for your buck, try asking for a set price for a group of items. For example: “How much for the three mirrors in the corner?” Sellers usually drop the price when you’re buying more than one item.
What to look for?
If your goal is to shop for home décor, go with an open mind. Most pieces need a little TLC to make them perfect.
Ignore the colour of wood or the pattern of fabric and look for furniture with interesting bones (the shape of a chair or the quality of wood of a dresser). If you see something you love, you can bring it to an upholsterer or restorer and create a custom piece.
Hot Finds: Vintage linens and furs, old lamps and dressers, antique chairs and frames.
Best Deals: Children’s items, clothing, and toys; mismatched dish ware and cutlery.
IF YOUR HOSTING A YARD SALE
Selecting Your Inventory
Yard sales are a great time to purge, but letting go of some things will be easier than others. If you’re too emotionally attached, you are not likely to part with it since the price you want will almost never be the price someone else will pay.
Try to organize your selling area in a way that makes it helpful for shoppers. Keep like items together and always ensure there is room to move around – even when it gets busy.
Consider keeping some inventory back to bring out later on during the sale. It’s always good to have plenty of offerings from start to finish, plus it may entice someone who came early to return later on.
Pricing
As mentioned above, for many yard sale shoppers the excitement comes from the process of finding, and then haggling over the price of an item they want. When placing your price stickers out initially, always price about 15 – 20% above what you’d be willing to sell it for. That way it gives you room to haggle.
Be realistic about pricing. That wicker lounge chair from your college days may be priceless to you, but it seldom has the same sentiment attached to it on the part of the buyer. Yard sales are about quick liquidation and purging, not getting your money back that you originally paid.
Always start with a sufficient float in your cash box to ensure you can always make change. Most shoppers carry small denominations, but you never want to lose a sale just because you couldn’t make change.
Power in Numbers
If, like me, you live on a relatively quiet street or one that is a bit off the beaten path, it can be hard to draw a lot of people if you are holding a sale on your own. I discovered this myself when I tried my first sale, but then I realized that others on my street may be in the same predicament. The next year I organized a street sale where everyone agreed to hold their sale together. We wound up with about 15 houses getting together. We promoted it together as well and the end result as a huge increase in traffic.
This year we will be holding a street sale for the 6th year in a row, and not only has it been a success financially, but it’s become a great event where neighbours socialize and build a sense of community.
Yard sales can also have a charitable component and if you are considering adding a giving component to your sale, consider being a part of one of the biggest coordinated charity yard sale events around – Yard Sale for the Cure, which benefits the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation on May 24th, 2014.
Our annual Street Sale takes place on this date and both neighbours and shoppers alike will enjoy a time-honoured tradition, while helping a worthy cause at the same time. Visit www.yardsaleforthecure.com to learn more and have fun!
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