It’s May, and like clockwork, searches for “yard sale” are spiking. Bargain hunters are ready to reap the benefits of your spring decluttering efforts. Play your cards right and you can make a decent chunk of cash in the process.
We’ve already shared the dos—the yard sale tricks that bring in more shoppers and more money. Now, it’s time to look at the don’ts—the mistakes that can sabotage your yard sale—and what to do instead.
These common yard sale mistakes might surprise you.
You’re Pricing Every Single Item
There are many yard sale tasks worth your time to maximize profits. Think zhuzhing table displays to better show off your wares, placing your best large pieces closer to the curb to draw attention from the street, and getting the word out far and wide. However, pricing every single item individually is not one of those things—it’s just too hard, and your time is better spent elsewhere.
Instead, sort less valuable goods (books, old T-shirts) in bins; then you can simply tag the lot with a price “for each.”
Another option: Color-code items with dot stickers (often found at office supply stores). Then tack up a prominent pricing key that notes each hue’s corresponding cost.
You’re Not Keeping the Kids Occupied
Some children can get suddenly sentimental at the sight of a stuffed animal or board game they haven’t touched or played with in years—and that can hold up sales.
Instead, put kids in charge of manning a refreshment station, whether it’s a complimentary one (another smart strategy to keep people browsing) or a traditional lemonade stand. If you have young children who you would rather not put on lemonade duty, it may be best to send them off with a relative or sitter.
You Don’t Have a Plan for What’s Left Over
Not everything is going to sell—and without a plan, you could end the day with a serious post-yard sale letdown.
If you have leftover bigger-ticket items, it may be worth your while to list a few of those items individually on Facebook Marketplace.
Alternatively, donating is a good option. If you have a deadline, such as an upcoming move date, prearranging a charity pickup after the sale can help you stay on track. One homeowner, Melany Robinson, a marketing agency founder who held a yard sale before her family moved from Alabama to Maine, tells Country Living, “We prearranged a charity pickup scheduled for the afternoon of the sale. It made everything so easy—we just left items on the curb and by the end of the day, it was all picked up.”
Do you have yard sale tips to share? Let us know in the comments.
Terri Robertson has been an editor and storyteller for more than 20 years. As Deputy Digital Editor at Country Living, she curates daily newsletters and has found a niche writing about odd corners of the internet and people embracing American life off the beaten path. She’s passionate about gardening and nature, writing about everything from super monarchs to supermoons. She also contributes to Country Living’s entertainment coverage, including HGTV stars, popular TV shows, and music. Terri began her career proofreading Southern Living cookbooks—a first job befitting an English major with a childhood penchant for reading her mom’s cookbooks—and went on to edit many food, garden, and lifestyle titles. She later worked for the University of Alabama’s marketing and communications division, capturing the stories of students and faculty. Returning to lifestyle media in 2017, she covered local arts, culture, and business news in Birmingham, Alabama, for Bham Now and later served as digital media manager for Flower magazine, a luxury home, garden, and lifestyle publication, before finding her home at Country Living. She and her husband live with their four cats in Birmingham.
