How To Throw An Epic Yard Sale With Friends: Everything You Need To Know
This isn’t your grandmother's yard sale. This is an epic yard sale! This is a yard sale with friends where you are making money and getting rid of your things.
Down below I have listed out the tools you need and the steps to take to have a successful yard sale. So, let’s bypass the fluff and get to the goods!
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Start planning your yard sale now
01. RALLY YOUR CREW
First things first, assemble your squad. But hold up, this isn't a free-for-all. Just like you wouldn't want to live with every friend you have, you shouldn't yard sale with everyone either. Keep it tight, keep it focused. Stick to a maximum of 4 households to avoid chaos. Partner up with pals who are serious about this gig.
Got kiddos? Get them involved too! They can sell their own stuff, run a lemonade stand, or even unleash their inner artist and sell some crafts.
02. PICK YOUR SPOT
Location, location, location! Choose wisely. Look for places with good foot traffic and easy access. Think big yards, ample on-street parking, and maybe even close to a busy street or a bustling farmer's market.
03. MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Commit to the cause! Block out an entire weekend on your calendar. Saturdays and Sundays are prime time. Avoid holiday weekends, set your selling hours from 9 am to 3 pm, and always have a backup date in case Mother Nature decides to rain on your parade.
04. GET STICKER HAPPY
Color-code your sale items with stickers. Assign a unique color to each participating family so there's no confusion when it comes to sales. Pink dots for your family? Perfect! And here's a hack: opt for stickers with pre-printed prices to save yourself from endless hand-writing.
Make sure you've got the pricing sorted as you declutter. It'll save you time and hassle later on.
05. DECLUTTER LIKE A BOSS
It's time to Marie Kondo your life! Say goodbye to anything you've outgrown, no longer love, or simply don't use. Get the whole family involved and designate a declutter zone in your home. As you sort, price your items and organize them into categories for a stress-free setup later.
1 month before the yard sale
06. GEAR UP FOR SUCCESS
Gather your supplies for the ultimate yard sale setup. From signs to display items to good vibes, here's what you'll need:
For Signs and Sign Display
Large cardboard boxes
Neon poster board
Wide-tipped markers
Heavy-duty tape
Wooden stakes
Staple gun and staples
For Displaying Your Items
Tables
Clothing rack
Hangers
Full-length mirror for trying stuff on
Batteries to test electronics
Extension cord
For Killer Good Vibes
Bluetooth speaker
Lemonade stand
For Check Out
Newspaper for wrapping breakables
Cardboard boxes for carryout
Large paper bags for carryout
Cell phone calculator app
Fanny pack to stash your $$
Match the colored fanny pack to the families' sticker color. Store your supplies in a labeled storage container labeled "Yard Sale Supplies."
Friends don’t let friends yard sale alone.
Plan a ridiculously fun, clutter-clearing, profitable yard sale with a FREE CHECKLIST!!!
07. SETUP ONLINE PAYMENT PLATFORMS
Offer alternative payment methods like Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App to maximize your sales potential.
08. PLAN FOR UNSOLD ITEMS
Prepare a plan for what to do with the items that don't sell. Download a free directory, schedule pickups with nonprofits, or sell high-ticket items on OfferUp.
1 week before the yard sale
09. CREATE KID-FRIENDLY MYSTERY BAGS
Step 1: Group small kid items like figurines, bouncy balls, stickers, and keychains into piles of 5+ items.
Step 2: Decorate paper lunch sacks with question marks, fill them with the items, seal with a $1 pricing sticker.
These mystery bags are sure to be a hit!
10. SNAP STUNNING PHOTOS OF YOUR YARD SALE ITEMS
Capture attention-grabbing images of your items for social media advertising. Highlight artwork, books, furniture, tools, and more to attract a crowd.
11. ADVERTISE YOUR YARD SALE ON SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES
Spread the word about your epic yard sale on Craigslist, Nextdoor, and Yard Sale Search. Use catchy phrases like “Epic Multi Family Yard Sale” or “Mother of All Sales,” and upload photos of your items to entice visitors.
12. DROP YOUR YARD SALE ITEMS OFF AT YOUR FRIEND’S HOUSE
Your items are priced, organized and ready to sell! Now’s the time to haul the items out of your house, into your vehicle and over to the selling site.
3-4 days before the yard sale
13. PREP THE YARD SALE AREA
Spruce up the yard sale area by removing non-sale items, mowing the lawn, and cleaning up debris.
14. MAP OUT SIGN PLACEMENT
Strategically plan where to place signs using a map of your neighborhood. Direct traffic to your sale with clear signage.
15. CRAFT EYE-CATCHING YARD SALE SIGNS
Ensure your signs are easily visible from a distance by making them large and straightforward. Opt for neon color poster boards to grab attention, and reinforce them with cardboard to prevent curling in the wind.
Include essential information such as:
"Yard Sale"
Sale dates: "THIS Saturday and Sunday"
Selling hours
Direct with arrows to guide shoppers effortlessly to your sale
16. DISTRIBUTE YARD SALE SIGNS
Place signs around your neighborhood using staples, tape, or wooden stakes.
17. WITHDRAW CASH AND STASH IT
Be prepared to make change by withdrawing cash and storing it securely in your fanny pack.
The evening before the yard sale
18. LET THE FUN BEGIN!
To set the stage for an incredible yard sale day, treat yourself to some takeout and dive into these final tasks:
✓ Sticker and price sale items
✓ Organize items into categories
✓ Fold and pre-hang clothing
✓ Strategically plan table placement
The first hours of the yard sale are typically the busiest. Completing these tasks ensures you're fully prepared for an EPIC sale day!
The day of the yard sale
19. REFRESH YOUR YARD SALE ADS
To boost your yard sale's visibility, take down your current ads from all social networking platforms and repost them. This simple step will push your ads to the front page, ensuring maximum exposure for your sale.
20. SET UP THE TABLES, CLOTHES RACKS, AND LEMONADE STAND
Arrange your tables and clothing racks so shoppers can easily browse items from all sides. Make sure there's plenty of room to move around comfortably between rows. And don't forget to place your lemonade stand right up front—it's sure to catch people's attention and bring them over to check out your yard sale!
21. STAGE ITEMS LIKE A PRO
Rather than haphazardly tossing items around, take a cue from retail stores:
✓ Showcase big-ticket items front-and-center
✓ Organize your yard sale treasures into clear categories
✓ Hang or fold clothes neatly, arranging them by type for easy browsing
✓ Keep the display dynamic by rearranging unsold items as others find new homes
22. OFFER A “FREE” BOX AND SHARE THE LOVE
Forget about selling items for less than a quarter. Instead, show some generosity by designating a "Free" box. Fill it with low-value items and place it on the curb. Your customers will appreciate the gesture, and it's a great way to spread some goodwill during your sale!
23. WRAP UP WITH AN END-OF-SALE BARGIN
Ready to clear out the rest? Here’s a winning strategy:
Time it right: Launch your end-of-sale sale during the last half of the final day
Spread the word: Put up signs announcing "All Items 50% Off"
Get the word out: Share online, showcasing what's left with enticing pictures
It's the perfect way to wrap up your sale and send your items off to new homes!
After the yard sale
24. CLEAN UP AND PREP FOR NEXT YEAR
Take down signs, organize unsold items, return borrowed tables and racks, and count your earnings. Celebrate a successful weekend with friends and decluttered homes!
With these tips, your yard sale is sure to be a hit. Happy selling!
Friends don’t let friends yard sale alone.
Plan a ridiculously fun, clutter-clearing, profitable yard sale with a FREE CHECKLIST.
