Ellington

The election is over. After weeks and months of partisan politics, it seems like a good time for a fresh start. And what better way to clear the decks than to wage a full-on purge war in your attic, garage, dresser drawers and kitchen cabinets?

If you haven't used an object in a year or you have forgotten that it even existed, it is probably time for it to go. Once you collect enough treasures that you are ready to pass on to their next owner, it may be time to have a yard sale and make a little extra money for this year's Christmas shopping. And when you are Christmas shopping, try to pick items that aren't likely to end up in the yard sale piles of your friends and family members.

Meanwhile, here are some tips on how to have an excellent yard sale:

1. Choose your timing wisely. Fall is a great time for yard sales because of the relative lack of extreme temperatures and annoying pests such as mosquitos and bees. Check community calendars to make sure that your sale doesn't conflict with any big events which might clog traffic or occupy potential customers. See if you can participate in any upcoming neighborhood-wide sales, such as Nov. 17's Greater Belhaven Yard Sale.

2. Think money. Make sure to have plenty of small bills and coins to make change for customers. Price your items in advance. The Greater Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation recommends 10% of the original retail price for most items and 25% of the original price if it is something you never used. If others are helping with your sale, discuss in advance how much bargaining you are willing to do with customers.

3. Get organized. Have everything priced and organized the night before, or even the weekend before, ready to set up in the yard quickly on Saturday morning. Know the timeline for getting an ad in the newspaper, and make/put up signs in advance. Have a plan for unsold items once the sale is over. Consider local charities such as N.U.T.S. and the Salvation Army, or plan to list items on freecycle.org. At the upcoming Belhaven sale, N.U.T.S. will actually pick up your unsold items if you want them to.

4. Think food. When I was growing up, yard sales at our house meant donut holes and hot chocolate. Encourage neighbors to stay to browse and chat while they munch on some delectable Saturday morning treats you have for sale. Or if you don't want to worry about food sales on top of everything else going on, make sure that you have a stash of snacks and drinks for yourself and any helpers.

Do you have any advice to share or yard sale stories to tell?

Previous Comments

ID

115565

Comment

My mama was a master yard-saler (giving and visiting them). Here's my favorite advice—pick three or four prices that for most stuff, then put colored sticks on your items. Don't put prices on them (unless it's a special high price); have a sign listing the prices for each color, then as the sale goes on lower the prices on the sign(s) as needed. Saves lots of time putting prices on stuff. Also, be SURE to have a free box or area where you give some stuff away. And do creative signs. When we left Colorado Springs, Todd and I had two big sales -- one a "Groovy" yard sale and the other a "Guys and Dolls" sale, with cool ads in the local alternative for them (hint, hint!). BTW, Todd and I need to buy a used washer and dryer. Anyone have a good set to sell us cheap?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-11-07T10:57:26-06:00

ID

115566

Comment

I sold my washer/dryer on Craigslist a few months ago... I would suggest checking there because I was not the only one selling appliances. I had very good luck selling things on that website -- very quick response and it is pretty easy to rule out spammers. I think I actually sold my W/D in the same day I posted the ad.

Author

andi

Date

2007-11-07T14:12:03-06:00

ID

115567

Comment

3. Get organized. Have everything priced and organized the night before, or even the weekend before, ready to set up in the yard quickly on Saturday morning. Know the timeline for getting an ad in the newspaper, and make/put up signs in advance. Have a plan for unsold items once the sale is over. Consider local charities such as N.U.T.S. and the Salvation Army, or plan to list items on freecycle.org. At the upcoming Belhaven sale, N.U.T.S. will actually pick up your unsold items if you want them to. Last I heard, Gateway Rescue Mission also takes used items. I've used them a couple of times in the past because they took electronics and appliances that no longer worked.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-11-07T20:38:58-06:00