If you’re selling any clothing at all, which most people do, don’t forget to go through the pockets first; you can overlook anything from jewelry to credit card receipts to money when they’re tucked into the pocket of something that hasn’t been worn in a while. Ditto for purses, backpacks, and the like. If you’ll be hanging things, don’t spend a lot of money on fancy plastic hangers, because a lot of people will assume they’re included in the sale and take them home. Spend the least amount possible on cheap wire hangers. If you’re selling electric or battery-powered items, be prepared to prove that they are in good working condition. Have a few batteries of assorted sizes available to pop in so you can demonstrate that the item actually functions. The same goes for electrical items; try to station them near an outlet.
Get the word out!
Very few successful sales happen when someone simply sets up shop and waits for people to drive by. In order to attract the most customers, advertising is an absolute necessity. The most obvious and effective solution is to run a classified ad in the local newspaper. When writing your ad, word it very carefully. Be as concise, but as specific, as you can: “something for everyone” is vague and won’t draw people in, but “Attention outdoorsmen! Lots of fishing and camping equipment” will.
If you’ll be holding your sale regardless of the weather, add “rain or shine” to let people know that it’s still on, even if the weather is disagreeable. Include your address, mentioning the nearest cross-streets if you think anyone will have trouble finding it, and the date and time of the sale. If you don’t want people showing up at the crack of dawn, make sure to include “No early birds please” or even something like, “Prices tripled before 8 o’clock” – surely that’ll discourage people from posting up in front of your house (or worse, knocking at your door) at 5 AM!