Now that you’ve purged and organized your stuff, why not save yourself a trip to the second-hand store and see if you can reap a little extra cash? Here are some tips from RelocateCanada.com:
A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE SALE
- Visit a few sales in your area to gauge prices.
- Advertise your sale on poles, bulletin boards and in local papers.
- Consider joining with neighbours to make a larger, more attractive sale.
A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE SALE
- Clean sale items and make any repairs.
- Begin grouping and pricing your items to avoid making on-the-spot decisions on sale day.
- Charge no more than half the store cost for new items.
- Price used items as low as you can go, then add about 10 percent to make room for haggling.
- Keep prices in multiples of five for easy calculating.
- Use self-adhesive tags. They’re easier to use than paper or masking tape. Some dollar stores stock pre-priced stickers.
- Group small toy items into brown paper ‘surprise’ bags for kids, priced below a dollar.
- Stock up on coins and bills so you can easily make change. Record how much you start with.
THE DAY OF THE SALE
- Arrange items neatly but avoid making it too fancy – it could be off-putting to some bargain hunters.
- Play music to encourage shoppers to browse.
- Serve coffee and donuts.
- Keep your cash box supervised at all times.
- Do not leave the sale area unattended.
- Be ready to drop prices. Remember, everything must go!
AFTER THE SALE
• You may still have some stuff left, and thrift shops such as the Salvation Army, Goodwill and Value Village may be happy to take it. Local churches often appreciate donations for their own rummage sales.
Published May 2010
