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30th Penny Pinching Party - Yard Sale Tips

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Spring is in the air and that means planting gardens, outdoor walks with the family, BBQs and YARD SALES! I just had a yard sale on Saturday and really appreciated the advice that Mary the Kay the Blog linked up last week. I have had many yard sales and thought I knew all of the tricks, but she had a few new ones for me that I tried. She says not to waste time on 25, 50 and 75 cent price tags which I have always done. I put a dollar price tag on many things that I would have normally sold for 25 or 50 cents and they actually sold for $1! If you or someone you know is planning a Yard Sale this year, you must go and check out her blog post. I just want to know the story behind all of these Christmas tree stands in her picture.??
You can also check out my post I did last year on My Love-Hate Relationship with Yard Sales
I have also found that every Yard Sale is different and I had a whole new experience this year since I held the Yard Sale at my Grandmother's house. I advertised that the sale would start at 8:00 am so I could have some time to haul out an entire house of stuff (my Grandmother has recently moved to a rest home). When I got there at 6:20 am with the key my mother had given me, it didn't work. Someone had locked the bottom lock and I only had the key to the top lock. I had to wait 20 minutes for someone to bring me the key, so I didn't get started until about 7:00 am. No problem right? I had advertised the sale to start at 8:00 am and put "NO EARLY BIRDS" on the add. No posters were around the neighborhood yet, so I should have been fine right? Wrong. I had TONS of people show up at 7:00 am. Can't people read??? At my next Yard Sale I will advertise that it starts at 9:00 am and plan on starting at 8:00 am. Everything else went great and I had a successful yard sale.

I would love to hear any yard sale stories or tips you have. Just leave me a comment.

And now for the Party!!!
30th Penny Pinching Party!
Rules:






*Add the permalink to the specific blog post, not your general blog address.
*Link back to the party from your post so everyone can join in the fun!

If your link disappears, make sure you are following the rules and try again.

If you are featured, don't forget your "I Was Featured" button from my sidebar.
I am linking up to some of  these great blogs!

17 comments :

  1. When I've had yard sales I always welcome Early Birds with open arms. They often spend the most - sometimes will help set out things that aren't unpacked - and generally are the happiest of all the yard salers. I love early birds - I'll take money any time!!!

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  2. In the past I was happy with early birds, I think being locked out of the house just made it very difficult. But you are right, they do spend the most.

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  3. I'm fixing to have my second garage sale ever. (My first was over ten years ago!) I'll have to read all the tips because, while I'm looking forward to hopefully making some cash, I'm also really dreading it!!! It will be with aunts and cousins though, so hopefully it we'll have fun no matter what.
    Thanks for hosting the linky party! This is my first time here!
    ☺ Celeste

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  4. Jen, I am just SO honored that you liked my garage sale tips--and featured it!!! WOW, thank you so much!!! My husband will be especially pleased to know that you followed his advice pricing things at least $1.

    And speaking of my husband...and his (now) notorious Christmas tree stands...Well, that is a long story. I'll see if I can make it short. People who know my husband always ask him, "What's your latest greatest deal?" Some people collect stamps, some collect animal mounts...well, my husband's hobby is finding--and making a great deal. I cannot tell you how many things over the years he has bought a "Lot" of items because they were such a great deal. The Christmas tree stands were just the LARGEST group of items he's bought. Honestly? I NEVER KNOW what he will come home with next. His job is perfect for him, in that many times he can find those deals FOR WORK. (Thank goodness the Semi-TRUCKLOAD of frozen chicken went to work!!)

    The Christmas tree stands have not "moved" as fast as he has wanted, and they've become sort of a family joke. Every year, when we have a garage sale, those stands come back out, and we sell 1 or 2. Every Christmas, he seems to sell 2-3. So let's do the math: 2+3=5/year. I think that means we'll be 95 before they're all gone!

    And, by the way, I LOVE my husband, and think that life with him is NEVER BORING!! If times get tough, we've always got those stands...

    Again, thank you so much for featuring my garage sale tips! I was excited to link up again this week!

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  5. That's really interesting about pricing everything for $1 instead of .25/.50... I wouldn't have thought to do that! Great tip.

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  6. Hey Jen, thanks for hosting again. I loved all her yard sale ideas too. I look forward to more great ideas today.

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  7. I am going to be having a garage sale in a month and I haven't had one in 10 years, so I really appreciate the link!

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  8. I agree, I don't think there's really much of a point to the 25/ 50 cent stickers! Great idea!!

    Thanks for hosting!

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  9. Thank you for this post. I am planning a yard sale as well. I am heading over to that link now :)

    Blessings!

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  11. These tips are great. I always prefer thrifting to yard sales but these are super helpful the next Saturday i try to give yard sales a chance again. I mentioned your blog today, great work!

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  12. Thanks so much for your tips. I agreed with them and learned a couple of new onees! Getting ready to have a big one as soon as I can...Liked the one about tables set up in the garage EARLY! :-)

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  13. Thanks so much for hosting this great party! I always find great things I want to try!

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  14. If you don't want early birds, just mention that your big black guard dogs will be patrolling the yard until you're ready to open. That keeps most of them away!

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  15. I just had my first yard sale last weekend, and I only put out crafting items (all sorts). My best customers? Teenage girls!! They loved the crafty stuff, and if I ever do it again I think I'll have a "Teen Time" or something to get them there and give them a preview.
    I advertised a lot on Craigslist, but I don't think any of them showed up (although I had a few emails and a bunch of clicks to my blog where I posted more info). Mostly I had people in the neighborhood... who didn't shop. Oh well, I sold a bit and I was just trying to get things cleared out.

    My horror story though? I went to put out the signs (just 4) at 7 (sale started at 8). My signs kept falling apart! The wind was really strong and the stakes kept splitting where I nailed in the signs. I didn't get back to the house until 8 and nothing was set up! Luckily I had a few friends come over at 8 so they helped me get everything out. Even my daughter (10) was the big helper of the day. :)

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