Successful Yard Sale Secrets

Day of the sale

• Start early, but keep in mind if you start at 7 a.m. some people will arrive at 6 to beat the crowd.
  
  

• Signs are key to your success. Use the same brightly colored sign with "SALE" and an arrow on them. Find out where you can legally place signs, and get strategic about drawing people in. Place signs on both the main roads and side roads leading to your place. Check signs a few times throughout the day to make sure they are still up.
  
  
• Organize your sale items. Make it look attractive and get things up on tables as much as possible. A nicely arranged sale makes your items seem more valuable.
  
  
• Have a cooler of cold water or a thermos of hot coffee for guests to make them feel welcome.
  
  
• Ask family and friends to help keep an eye on things and serve customers.
  
  
• Schmooze! One of the best things about having a sale is the amazing people you'll meet. The more you banter with them the more they'll buy.
  
  

After the sale

• Have a local charity lined up to come that afternoon and pick up what's left. If it's not in good condition, consider calling a bulk trash company.
  
  

• Remember to take down signs.
  
  

• Count your money and celebrate your accomplishment — better out than in, as they say. And now you have more room for your future yard-sale purchases.