Have a Successful Yard Sale in Durham Region

Durham Region - It's been 20+ degrees in the past couple of days, time to start your spring cleaning.  Odds are you going to have some stuff you can't just toss aside but it must have value to someone.  It's time to host a yard sale!

With TV shows like Canadian Pickers and Storage Wars becoming more popular every day, there's never been a better time to organize your house and make a few bucks.  Here's a few tips that can help you host a successful yard sale:

1.  Set Realistic Goals. If the thought of lugging all your junk back into the garage or house drags you down, then keep your prices quite cheap.  Get rid of it all!  Unless...you are trying to earn enough for a new garden gnome.  Well then, make sure your prices are fair and have some bigger ticket items to sell. A general rule is to price items at about a third of the retail value.

2.  Be a Canadian Picker: pick the right date.  You'll likely want to choose a date when it is somewhat warm (May through September), a weekend, and a date that is not competing with any other major community function such as Bowmanville's Applefest.

3.  Hey, Neighbour! Wha generates more buyers than a yard sale?  Five yard sales!  You will bring much more traffic to your sale if you have a street sale.  Prepare in advance by asking your neighbours at least four weeks in advance.  Just make sure you don't sell your stuff to your neighbours and vice versa.  Counter-productive.

4.  Advertise and promote.  Post at your local supermarket.  Free ads on kijiji and craigslist.  Don't forget to promote it locally on this facebook group.

5.  Understand your location.  If your home is on a busy street and/or parking is difficult, consider moving your cars so people have a place to park.  Think like your customers.  Live in the suburbs? Street signs become much important if you live on a secluded court or you are off the beaten path.  Make street signs simple, clean, and clear, with an address, directional arrows and hours of operation.

6.  Open early!  Garage sale hunters know the best bargains are scooped up within the first hours, and these early birds are like hawks! They'll probably be your best customers.  Have cash for change ready.  You likely don't take PayPal.