​Yard Sale 101

​Helping get the most out of your sale.

CAN I SET UP IN MY YARD OR CARPORT?
Yes, you can! That is the heart and soul of the Humphreys County Community Sale.

CAN I RENT OR USE A COMMUNITY SPACE TO SET UP?
Absolutely, several sellers prefer to set up in a large parking lot or field with others to help draw more shoppers.
Please be courteous to local businesses by bringing sufficient change and having a bathroom location plan.

I'VE NEVER HAD A YARD SALE, HOW DO I START?
Great question, here are some basic tips to you get started.

1. Shoppers are typically out and buying before the sun comes up and don’t stop until it’s down. This can make for some very very long days so be prepared and rested.
2. Although it is not necessary to have a tent or building it can be an added incentive for shoppers as well as protecting you and your items. You can use anything such as awnings, tarps and pop up tents, it is a good idea to get side walls as this can help with wind, rain and sun.
3. Be sure to have something comfortable to sit in along with plenty of cold drinks, food, paper towels, and hand sanitizer!
4. Organize your sale, use tables and flat surfaces to display items, avoid dumping items into piles on the ground or leaving them all in boxes. Remember most shoppers will only have a day or two to visit all the various sales along the route and may not take the time to dig through boxes or piles. Display items so shoppers can easily see what types of things you are selling.
5. Space out tables and displays to allow for easy social distancing. If possible arrange your sales to allow for single direction shopping.
6. Place easily identifiable hand sanitizers in your location.
7. Plan a neighborhood sale instead of a single sale. Shoppers are drawn to larger sales.
8. Plan it at the right time. Shoppers head out early so starting your sale at noon probably will not get you as many customers. Start your sale on time, shoppers will not wait for your cup of coffee or biscuits.
9. It is a good idea to have extra help at your sale as it can get very busy at times.
10. Plan for parking, avoid making shoppers cross busy streets or parking in ditches.
11. If you are going to leave your items out overnight, be sure to cover them or place them in tubs with lids. This will help keep the dew from getting your items and tags wet. Tarps are a good, relatively inexpensive idea and work well when used along with spring jawed clips to hold them to the tables. If you worried about leaving things out all night if you are gone? If so, take valuables inside or stay onsite overnight to watch them.
12. Wash and hang clothes and linens you are selling, shoppers will often pass on items with stains or smells on them. Hanging items helps give shoppers a better idea of how a garment looks overall.
13. Use price tags to mark all items for sale. Shoppers tire of having to ask or guess about prices, often times they will simply walk away especially if your sale is busy.
14. Use multiple yard signs to advertise your sale. Be sure signs are sturdy and point the way to your sale. DO NOT just write your address on a piece of construction paper. Shoppers driving by will hardly have time to see your sign let alone read it. Also the thin construction paper will bend and fold and no one will ever see it. Use a sturdy cardboard type product with directional arrows and an address, remember the signs have two sides use them both but be sure the arrows point the right way. Place signs at major roadways or intersections, then periodically along the way to the sale.
15. Be willing to negotiate prices, it is the heart of sales and most shoppers are more likely to make a purchase if they feel like they got a deal. Be creative and let your shoppers do bundle deals!
16. Make sure you can make change, not just quarters, nickles and dimes but paper currency as well. 1's and 5's go quickly when you are making change for large bills. Additionally you should only accept cash or cards and do not be afraid to check bills with a currency checking pen. These pens are fairly inexpensive, so get a good quality one. Dri Mark brand is a good choice and come in a few different styles.

MOST IMPORTANTLY HAVE FUN!!!!!