yard sale tips

Hi, my name is Mimi and I like to throw my clothes on the floor instead of hanging them up. I mean, really how much harder is it to take an extra 5 seconds to hang up your clothing than tossing it on the floor and having to take days to clean it up. This is the struggle I am facing trying to get some order in our master closet.

Because I am one to own up to my own transgressions all of this mess is because of me. My husband graciously tip toes around this mess to gather his neatly hung up things. I figured I should fix this mess before he goes HAM because if it was the other way around….you already know.

There is still a whole ton of chaos left in my closet but the light at the end of the tunnel is you can see the floor. That’s all I have. I’m going to be working with an organizing business to start looking at the best use of space in the small closet as we embark on finishing up the closet and the master bathroom that we started almost 2 years ago…..

So, there was some sort of method to this closet cleaning madness. I decided to start with the hanging clothes and remove the items that I haven’t worn, forgotten about, or can no longer fit. Tossed those on the bed. Then I sorted into a keep and give away pile.

The giveaway pile ended up being the things I put out at the yard sale.

Want to know what I learned about throwing a yard sale before you decide to embark on your own? Good, I have tips.

1. People won’t value your junk things like you will. If you think it’s worth more than $10 don’t put it out there. Save that for eBay or Craigslist.
2. If you want to receive a certain price for something, tell the looking for nearly free 99 things patron a price $3 above. You MIGHT get somewhere close to what you want for the item.
3. Be ready for the group deal. People will try to collect 5 things that should be priced at $15 all together and offer you $4 for the lot. If you really want to give it away, go ahead. If you don’t, be ready to counter and counter quick. Too much thinking is weakness for the seasoned yard sale haggler. I had someone try to offer me $4 for two never worn pair of shoes. NO MA’AM.
4. Put children’s clothing up front and organize it well. People are always looking for kids clothes, the easier you make it for them to find the sizing they need the more they will buy.
5. Have fun! I had one of my fellow baseball moms sit out with me. She sold a few of her own items. We sat in the shade and talked and laughed with the shoppers. I even met some of my neighbors.

 Ever thrown a yard sale? Have any additional tips to add?