It’s one of my favorite times of year here in Maine: yard sale season. I just love yard sales, don’t you? I love going to them and I love having them. Because the thing is, if you go to a lot of yard sales, you have to have a yard sale every once and a while to get rid of all the stuff you
bought at the other yard sales.
It’s been awhile since I’ve shared my tips for having a successful yard sale. It’s too much to cover all of it in one blog post, so I’ve divided it into three parts: the basics, how to set it up, and the number one yard sale rule.
Let’s talk basics. If you’re thinking about having yard sale, it’s never too early to start working on it. Being organized is key.
I’d suggest taking out an ad in the local newspaper, and if you’re near a big city, like Bangor or Waterville, get an ad in that paper, too. That way, you’ll get people from away. You can charge them more.
Now, you need something snappy in your ad to get folks’ attention. Here’s mine: If you saw something you liked on the Homeshopping Network that you wished you’d bought but didn’t, most likely I did, and I’ll be selling it on Saturday. Yard Sale 8:00-3:00. Collectables, furniture, tools, all sorts of bargains. Early birds welcome.
See, I started with the bit about the Home Shopping Network. That’s the hook. That’s what gets them to read more. Then you have to say you have collectables, because that’s trendy. And if you don’t think you have them, you do, because everything is collectable to someone. I’ve seen Antiques Roadshow.
Now, let me say something about early birds. You know you’re going to get them. Why fight a force of nature? These people bought newspapers, planned their route and got up in the middle of the night in order to buy stuff. You have to respect that kind of dedication. If you say your yard sale starts at 8:00, you can bet you’re going to have people lining up at 6:00, 6:30. Don’t start the day off on the wrong foot by getting aggravated at the something that’s inevitable.
You need to be ready to go by 5:45. I can’t stress this enough. I mean, everything priced, displayed, your cash box organized, signs out, hair and makeup done, breakfast eaten and coffee in a travel mug. This takes planning. In order to have a successful yard sale, you need to spend the week before hand getting ready.
And when I say “early birds welcome,” I mean it. I have a couple big boxes of Dunkin Munchkins waiting for them. I mean the big box, the ones with 50 munchkins, smile on my face, lip gloss, power bra. These are people from away looking for a deal out in the country, and I am ready to dicker. My motto is: distract them with sweetness, then drive a hard bargain.
That’s it for now. Catch you on the flip side!
Hear Ida Tell It: Yard Sale Pointers: The Basics
Coming Up This Summer
June 17: The Moose in Me, the Moose in You!, Sable Lodge Retirement Community, 7:00pm, South Portland, ME
July 12: Makin’ Whoopie, Deertrees Theatre, 7:30pm, Harrison, ME
July 25: Book Reading, North Gorham Library, 7:00pm, Gorham, ME
August 22: The Best of Ida, ACT ONE Summer Festival, 2:00 & 7:30pm, Portsmouth, NH
August 24: The Best of Ida, Celebration Barn Theatre, 7:30pm, South Paris, ME
August 29: The Best of Ida, ACT ONE Summer Festival, 2:00 & 7:30pm, Portsmouth, NH
Check out my full schedule here.
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