One person's trash is another's treasure

By Elizabeth Gabriel

(Updated: Friday, May 09, 2008, 5:53 PM)

The Mountain Area has perfect weather for a lot of things right now -- rodeos, fishing derbies, butterfly festivals, highway cleanups, you name it. But what's perfect for those activities is also perfect for yard sales.

You can take advantage of what Mother Nature has provided and get rid of some of your stuff, meet some of your neighbors and make a few bucks. What could be better?

Here are some tips from the Star's own list plus words of wisdom from a few dedicated yard-sale fanatics.

Before sale day

Check with the folks in your household (or those who have moved out) to be sure they're OK with selling their stuff -- a friend's mom got rid of his baseball cards, something he had always intended to save.

Clean and tidy the area where you're going to do your selling and do the same for everything you're going to sell: Sweep the garage floor, mow the lawn, get junk you're not selling out of the way; dust furniture, polish appliances, wash glass, launder clothes and stuffed toys, get the grime off other toys, yard tools, bikes -- cleaner things will get you more money.

Check what you're selling to be sure there's nothing hidden in it -- money, old credit cards, personal information, photos.

Gather bags, boxes and newspapers and hangers to pack up customers' purchases.

Set up a cash box and get change.

Tag your items, but do it with a buyer's eye. Sentimental value means nothing to the buyer. For things like books, records or clothing, you can put up a sign that sets a single price for everything: "records 50 cents," "T-shirts 25 cents," etc. Put the size on clothing.

Put an ad in the paper. Here in the Mountain Area, it's not as easy to cruise around looking for signs as it is in the city. Be clear about start time and directions, if your place isn't easy to find. Also include a few sought-after items in your ad, give people some idea of what they're likely to find: "lots of kid clothes," "tons of romance novels," "tools," etc.

Make signs and put them up. The Star's yard sale kit includes five high-visibility (bright pink or green) signs. Remember that motorists need to be able to read the signs from a distance in a moving car. Letters should be big and bold. Keep info at a minimum: Date, time, street and an arrow pointing the way.

Borrow racks and tables so your items will be easy to look at. Hang up clothes.

Put smaller items (plastic kitchen stuff) in a box and sell the whole box for $2.

If you're doing the sale in the garage, cover up the things that aren't for sale or put "NOT FOR SALE" signs on those items.

A lot of people divide iris bulbs and other plants.

Sale day

Be ready for early birds. Some sellers put out signs saying they charge triple before the stated opening time.

You can offer coffee or water to buyers -- or sell those and snacks for low prices.

Be pleasant. Most buyers expect to bargain, but don't take low-ball offers personally.

Don't hover. Look busy dusting or rearranging. If you are sitting like a vulture waiting, you will scare people.

Have a make-an-offer pile; people love to haggle.

Never underestimate what people will buy if the price is right.

This is a great time to teach your kids to make change.

Have a power source for people to try out electrical items.

Keep an eye on the cash box. You might want to empty it out from time to time.

Tidy up tables and fill in displays as your treasures are sold. It looks more professional.

If miscellaneous smaller items haven't sold by afternoon, put related things in a box with one price.

Stop before you're too tired and cranky to face one more person.

The aftermath

Count your money.

Take down all your signs. Not only do they become an eyesore, but you just might attract customers long after the sale is over.

If you have things left over, assess them. If they didn't sell because they really are trash, take them to the dump. If they're useful, take them to a thrift store.