YARD SALES: MONEY MAKERS & SAVERS

YARD SALES: MONEY MAKERS & SAVERS Š1998-2000 http://www.valulinks.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Yard/Garage sales provide the perfect opportunity to buy merchandise at incredible low prices, or allow us to sell all that "stuff" that's been piling up around the house over the years. You can find almost anything at yard/garage sales: clothes, instruments, stereos, furniture, automotive parts/accessories, electronics, computers, and the list goes on and on. Granted you usually won't find these items in store quality shape, you may not really need its pricey counterpart if an older one will do. Or. . . . If you happen to have an excess of "stuff" lying around, think about hosting a yard sale of your own. You might find yourself making $50-$500 on a Saturday or Sunday just for getting rid of "stuff" around the house. Here are some tips on both hosting your own yard sale and tips to help you shop more efficiently at them. Take the following into account prior to your next yard/garage sale experience. HOSTING A YARD SALE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Have all items clearly marked. The better the appearance, layout, and organization, the more people will be inclined to spend their money at your sale. *Don't pile heaps of clothes on a table. Hang clothes on racks or on a clothesline if possible. It'll look more "professional" and they'll sell much better. *Advertise, Advertise, Advertise, if possible. Make signs and place them in visible high traffic locations. Be sure to check with your local city ordinance and see if sign posting is legal in your area. *Make your yard sale very appealing. Hang balloons and ribbons. Have all your merchandise neatly arranged and tagged with prices. On hot days, you could even sell sodas, chips, lemonade, water, for EASY money - idea, idea. *Be prepared to negotiate prices. People come to yard sales expecting to barter for lower prices so don't be offended if or when this happens. That's the nature of yard sales. :-) *MOST IMPORTANT* Try and organize a "Once a Year" street sale.Talk about it with your neighbors and have them spread the word around. Explain how profitable it could be if 400-600 "shoppers" came to their sale. That's a GREAT opportunity to get rid of all that extra "stuff" on their hands and make some money at the same time. ADVERTISE it everywhere, just as all your other neighbors will, and be prepared. Yard sale shoppers LOVE block sales! More sales, less search 'n travel time. BUYING AT YARD SALES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Get out early if you want the first pickings. As the saying goes: 'The Early Bird Gets The Worm' - that's NO lie! *Check your local paper the night before and plan the route that you'll take. This is a real time saver instead of having to drive all around town without knowing where to look. Papers like the Pennysaver, Recycler, Local Classified Ads section, etc... are great sources of information. * A few days or so, before you are ready to go "shopping", take notice of the street poles around your area. Look for yard/garage sale signs that are usually here and there. Pull over and stop to get the address/location. If you know they have something you may want, you might think about approaching them a day or two in advance to try and get a "pre-sale" purchase. *Don't be shy about asking the seller for a lower price. Everyone tries to bargain at yard sales. *If you don't see something you want, ask. They might just have it inside and be willing to sell it if the price is right. *MOST IMPORTANT* People are very willing to bargain towards the end of the day. They are tired and would rather give it away instead of having to move it back inside the house. Offer a very LOW price and you're more than likely going to walk away very happy! :-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Š1998-2000 - written by Gregory Thomas THE SECRETS TO SAVING MONEY Start saving money twice a month! Get the FREE bi weekly "Money Saving Tips" newsletter by simply going to: http://savingsecrets.com =============================================