Things You'll Need

Instructions

1

Get things up off the ground. Use as many tables as you can beg or borrow. Long, narrow tables work especially well. You can also use plywood set on sawhorses. Leave enough walking space for shoppers. Make sure that items not for sale are set aside and clearly marked "not for sale" so buyers don't try to buy them. Tape a sign to each table that reads "Table not for sale."

Clothing racks are ideal, but if you have none, you can hang clothes from a horizontally-secured ladder, wire shelving or metal piping. Rope tied from one tree to another is a far less desirable method because it will begin to sag from the middle, no matter how tightly it is cinched. Group men's, women's and children's clothes separately by sizes, if possible.
2

Be neat and clean, with clearly defined boundaries. Set up your tables so it is clear to buyers where the aisles are. If you must have merchandise displayed on the lawn, lay your pieces individually on a tarp. Rope off your garage, if no merchandise is displayed within. Hang a sign from it that says, "No trespassing, please." You might consider roping your driveway off as well, if that would help your situation.
3

Group similar things together. Lean tools against a fence, wall or garage door, one next to another. Group all baby toys together next to baby clothes, with baby gear close at hand. Place pictures so each is concurrently displayed. Books are best displayed on a table with spines showing so buyers need simply to look down to see all the titles. Use bookends to secure them. If the booends are not for sale, place a "not for sale" label on them. Display kitchen items of all kinds together. Collectibles and decorative items go well together.
4

Display large merchandise for both men and women at roadside, if possible. Examples include tools, lawn equipment, weights, electronics, furniture, baby gear and bikes. These must be items difficult to steal quickly. Think about your buyers. Some will stop no matter what the yard sale looks like. However, a large majority will look it over before stopping. If all they see is a pile of clothes or table of junk, they won't bother stopping. Just as with selling a house, you want to have good curb appeal. You want your customers to see good stuff that will draw them out of their cars. If you put out good merchandise that appeals to both men and women, you will attract more customers. It will be easier for the woman to persuade the man to stop if there is a nice, shiny ladder, lawn equipment or electronics luring him.
5

Display your items attractively. This will make a huge difference in your earnings. You have put a good effort into having this yard sale. Pull out all the stops so you make the maximum profit. Do not make shoppers have to root through boxes haphazardly placed around a driveway.
6

Place delicate breakables toward the back of tables or higher for protection against breakage. Remember that parents often bring children who might not be careful with your merchandise.

Adult clothing can be a tough sell. You should arrange it neatly and according to size. The garments can be sold individually or you can sell in lots. Post a sign that says, "Fill a bag for $1," and have a supply of bags available. You can also try selling it via box lots such as, "Entire box for $5" or "Everything on this table $1."
7

Help your items sell themselves. Having things out on tables will help immensely. Plug in working electrical items. If it's a radio, play some tunes. If it's a lamp, turn it on. If it's in a box, take it out, unless the box is sealed. Lay out or hang each piece of jewelry individually. Think about how department stores display their wares. Fold and place a set of towels on top of each other, from largest to smallest. Wrap with a plain strip of paper to secure, making it an appealing group.