Every year in our town and across the state we have a weekend around the first of August where folks have sales spanning the length of Hwy. 64, which is aptly named "Bargains Galore on 64". Suffice to say, sometimes I have renamed it "Bargains are Poor on 64". The reasoning behind this has become evident to me - some people think that because an item is old or they overpaid for it or it has sentimental value - it justifies a high price. FYI, just because you have a pencil that you bought in 1942 from your Uncle Homer that used to be a master carpenter and each of your grandchildren made their first scribbles with it - IT IS STILL JUST AN OLD PENCIL.
Even more annoying to a seasoned seller, is the recently adapted phrase of "Well, I looked'er up on eBay and they are goin' fer over a hunnerd dollars". First of, all, I used my speaking voice because I was told last week while in Missouri (several times), that I sound like I am from Georgia, not Arkansas. Plus, I figured it would get the point across a little better. I am an Authorized eBay Trading Assistant and have sold items for myself and other people for 13 years. Just because something is "listed" online for "a hunnerd dollars", does not mean it will sell for that. Plus you have to factor in, condition, rarity, etc. Even if you do research the SOLD listings, it does not mean that your item will sell for that at a yard sale. Online listings reach buyers across the world. Our yard sales don't reach quite that many people. In my years of buying and selling it is blatantly apparent that an item is worth what the buyer is willing to pay for it. Example - if someone has been looking for a turquoise, shabby chic table with 3 legs and a square top that is 32 2/3" long and you have one, odds are - you will make a sale and can probably name your price within reason.
See the resemblance?
On the flip side, at the risk of offending someone, last year I attended a garage sale during this special yearly event and I overheard a customer ask the seller "How much is your ottoman?" I knew that the punchline was coming when I heard the seller respond "That ottoman is from Pottery Barn - it's $150.00". First of all - IT'S A YARD SALE! Second of all - the ottoman had cat scratches all over it! Third of all - I think #1 and #2 covered it. If you have an item that is a genuinely unique or expensive item, you may want to sell it on Craigslist or through some other avenue.
I am not saying you have to give your items away. Reasonable prices are just that - reasonable to most people. I am a manager at a flea market and I tell my vendors "If you keep your prices reasonable, you will do well". I have booths myself in addition to selling online and I am not opposed to paying a reasonable price for something. I do not believe in cheating anyone or haggling them to death. I shop for my booths in other flea markets more than I do at yard sales simply due to my work schedule. If I see an item that I feel is priced fairly, I do not ask for a discount. I don't know the man in the photo below, I just thought it was a fitting example.
On that note, to the defense of you folks that have slaved to dig out and price items for a sale, it is also annoying to me when buyers see a fair price on an item and feel they MUST ask for a lower price. Come on people, if an item is priced at 50 cents, don't ask to get it for a quarter! Organizing and holding a yard sale is HARD WORK! I have probably had over 100 sales in my lifetime so I am speaking from experience. Don't insult folks with your offers or negotiating tactics.
Here are 10 Tips for a Successful Sale:
1. Have your sale in a good location. If your home is not a good location, don't have it there. Yes, it is a LOT of work to haul your stuff to another location but if you are going through the sweat of having a sale, you might as well make it the best it can be.
2. Make sure you price EVERYTHING. There is a chance you will lose out on a sale if you don't. Some people are too afraid to ask about something that is not priced simply because they are scared it will be too high.
3. Be organized. Put "like" items together. If someone is looking for something specific and you have multiples of that item they may buy more than one if they can see them all together.
4. Don't price your items high just because you will have some "wiggle room" to negotiate with when asked. Lots of folks won't ask, but will just walk away. If you price your items fairly to begin with, you will get less haggle from potential buyers. Beware, as I said before, some people will feel the need to be REDICULOUS with low-ball offers anyway.
5. Don't be rude when faced with a reasonable offer to negotiate. Put yourself in the buyer's shoes. Everyone likes a bargain but as I said before, there are more people that will accept your prices as-is if they are reasonable to begin with.
6. Have plenty of change on hand. People "just passing through" or beginning yard salers may not have thought about getting small bills if they did not intend to stop at a sale.
7. Don't wait til the last minute to have a sale. A good sale takes a lot of preparation so if you don't have a lot of time, start weeks ahead.
8. When making signs and posters, don't try to cram too much information on it. There is nothing more aggravating than driving by a sign and trying to read a whole paragraph when all you really need is the address, the date(s) of the sale, and if it is a multi-family or neighborhood sale (only if it's true) you can add that because it will draw people to sale. Mo people's junk = mo people comin'. Lol.
9. Have a spot where buyers can make "piles" instead of trying to carry everything. You will sell more because folks will sometimes stop buying if their hands are full. However, make sure you keep customers' piles well separated. You don't want buyers scrappin' over a pile of stuff in front of other buyers.
10. Most importantly - BE FRIENDLY. Talk to potential customers as they approach your sale and as they leave. Don't badger them or keep them from shopping but a simple "Hi, how are you today?" or "Thank you for coming!" is a polite gesture that will go a long way.
The following are some funny signs I found:
I hope these tips will help you have the most successful sale you have ever had!
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