Yard sales attract different kinds of people. Many are looking for cheap trinkets or clothes for their children, while others are hoping to bag some inexpensive kitchenware to kit out their first home. If you are hoping to sell furniture, you may shy away from listing it in the ad or bringing it outside. What strategies should you use if you want to sell furniture at a yard sale?
Advertise on Craigslist
Craigslist is an effective tool that can help you advertise your yard sale and what you have on offer. If you have lots of bulky furniture, such as a bedroom set or a three-piece suite that is too large and cumbersome to bring outdoors, take pictures of it instead. Then if a customer shows an interest in a piece of furniture you had listed on Craigslist, let them come indoors and view it for themselves. Alternatively, show them pictures and decide for yourself if you feel comfortable letting the person into your home.
Bundle Items Together
Yard sale buyers want to know that they are getting a good deal and sellers want to ensure that they do not end up with odd pieces of furniture at the end of the day. A good way to get rid of furniture at a yard sale is to bundle items together to make them more attractive to buyers.
If you have a table and chairs to sell, why not throw in matching seat cushions? Or if you are trying to sell your coffee table, include end tables or coasters. Adjust the price accordingly for each item you add to the bundle so that you can earn a little extra profit on the items.
Spread the Word
Once you have set a date for your yard sale, spread the word. It is amazing how far you can reach interested people just through word of mouth. Does your colleague at work need a new night stand? Or is a neighbor across the road from you in need of a bunk bed for her twin sons?
Let the world know there will be a yard sale at your home with a list of furniture items you will have for sale. If you have spread the word far enough in advance, you will likely have people queuing up at the crack of dawn to see what kind of furniture you have available for sale.
Selling furniture at a yard sale can be intimidating for some sellers. Many would rather not go to the trouble of carting heavy, bulky items of furniture outdoors unless they know for sure that someone is definitely interested. But if you are determined to sell furniture, you will have to put in the effort. Start off by advertising on Craigslist. Instead pictures of furniture in your yard sale ad, to pique the interest of potential buyers. Then bundle items together to maximize the chances of making a sale and do not underestimate the power of word of mouth.
More from this contributor:
A Guide to Craigslist Seller Etiquette.
A Yard Sale Seller’s Guide to Good Customer Service.
Tips for a Stress-free Yard Sale.