Yard Sale Tips

Sort everything like they do in a store. Group like with like. Price everything reasonably, but allow some wiggle room because people will try to talk you down from your prices. Put everything on tables and within reach so they don't have to bend down to get anything. Think of what YOU like to see in a garage sale, and do that!

*EDIT*
I can't believe I forgot to add that you will need LOTS OF CHANGE!! Make sure you have enough to break plenty of big bills ($20's, $50's) just in case! And don't mess with nickles and dimes. Price everything in 25¢ incrememts. If it isn't worth at least a quarter, put it in a "FREE" box near the curb.

OH! Wear sunblock if you are in the sun at all. Have plenty of water to drink, and (hopefully) a partner to give you potty breaks now and then.

Probably a little late to be answering but here are a few tips...
sort your items by catagory - toys, books, household, etc
price your items but be willing to negotiate
put up simply signs yard sale, date, address and an arrow
start putting items out 2 hours before your advertised starting time
make sure you have lots of change, one of your first customers will give you a $20 for a $1 item

Remember you are trying to raise money, and get rid of things! Do not allow family members to reclaim items, and do not get sentimental about the items to be sold, by pricin the items too high! remember you are downsizing and making space, to raise money, and have fun! I amke money, because I price things to get out of my house, the buyer is not really interested in the sentimentality, and wants to know how the item will enhance their life, so tell them the selling points of why that item is a good buy! Try building sells by, adding another item that might enhance your last sell, you will be surprised, how much someone buys, because you sold it as gently used, and not with a sentimental story... So price the things to sell, and you will have more room in your garage and closets... Also, group the clothes on tables or boxes on chairs, most people are not able to reach down to the ground, have chairs for people to sit on while searching. I had an elderly woman who enjoyed my sale, because she could sit and search, I had my daughter be her legs to bring things to her. But, I also made sure she did not spend her life savings, too! I did had a conscience, LOL! Also, I had alot of FREE boxes, for items, I had, for kids, they could pick 1 or 2 items. I put a small marker on the reverse, so I know it was free. I grouped series books together, and I kept my items organized, by going through and cleaning the unkempt areas, so each person, felt like they were the first... I put mens things intermittingly around the yard sale to draw them into it. I had tools near the rear and sides. And i had paid the kids to act as security and assistants to the crowds, they learned how to barter and count change. I had extra shopping and trash bags, and boxes for the many items. I placed household items neatly folde in used painters tape to write the sizes of sheets on them, and kept them on the neat side, and let the buyer know there was tape attached, before they washed it. I cleaned everything, before selling. Dust kills a sale! I made dixie cup popsicles for saling, for 25 cents from Kool-Aid, and I had trash bins, around the perimeter to catch the trash! Good luck!

Sell water and soda. People WILL buy it. At one point my parents cooked hot hogs and sold them too.

Big signs with just "sale" on them. Don't bother with addresses or list items. Too hard to read and drive.

Get some Dollar Store ballons and put them out near your driveway/mailbox.

Open EARLY. I mean 6:30-7:00 early. The real rummagers will be knocking on your door for early sales anyway.

Good luck!

Rachel D covered a lot of good points. Keep your money in a fanny pack if possible so you can move around the yard and not worry about anyone taking your cashbox. Dont let anyone use your house to try things on or to use your bathroom. Too much chance of things being taken while they are in your house. Lock your door and keep the key in your pocket so no one can sneak in while you are busy with a customer. Take your phone with you. Make signs, big ones, bright colored with bold dark lettering with arrows pointing which way to turn. Park your car down the street so there is room for customers cars. Dont promise to hold an item for more than an hour. They usually dont come back for it and you are stuck with the item and no cash, and other customers who might have wanted it. You can take names and phone numbers of anyone who is interested in something that you are holding, just in case it doesnt sell, and you can call to give the next in line a chance. If I have an item, lets say, a set of dishes for $5, and a customer asks if I will take $2 since they are dusty and he will have to wash them all, I say if I had washed them I would have charged $8. But smile and be willing to take $4 if they are agreeable. Dont take large bills first thing in the morning, especailly if they are only buying a 25 cent item. Sometimes its a fake bill, and sometimes they are trying to mess with you and make you feel guilty so you will give the item to them for free to keep from giving all your change away so soon. Relax and enjoy the goofy stuff people will do and say. Have fun with it. Be willing to give away a few small things to kids to intice their parents to buy bigger things.

make sure everything is clearly marked,price wise. also make sure you have out enough change to give people. sometimes people will have bigger bills and may not buy an item if you do nothave the proper change. good luck

Some good tips here already! Here's my two cents:

*Fanny pack is a must! Keeps your money on your person at all times.

*Price items with price tags PRIOR to sale so you're not constantly having to answer: "How much for this?"

*Also, don't overprice stuff. You're looking to de-clutter, so set aside that sentimentalism, and don't worry about that rice cooker you just sold for 2 bucks! We operate by this credo: "You know what? It's gone!" One less thing for you to put back into storage.

*No matter what time you advertise your start time, THERE WILL BE EARLY BIRDS. Be ready for them. The ones looking for specific items will only buy said items. The other ones will buy a bunch of stuff at once. My family often jokes about how much money we took in BEFORE we "opened."

*Lastly, get help from family or friends if you can. It's best not to be the ONLY seller there during those rushes of people.

HAVE FUN!!