May 5 & 6, 2006

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Seller Dos & Don'ts:

·        Make sure everything is easy to find and not in boxes.  Go ahead and display books in boxes but make sure all the titles on the spines are facing the same direction.

·        Old stuff (antiques) sometimes sell no matter the condition.

·        Glasses, dishes and cups will sell if you price them as a set: 8 for $2.

·        Books, records should be priced separately.

·        Put up a clothesline to display clothes.

·        Put stuff under tables, but in plan view. 

·        Sell anything you haven’t used in a while.  After you have assembled the items the day before, go through the house and look again.

·        Have an extension chord handy so people can test items.

·        If you have several people selling items, keep all the price tags so you can divide the loot after the sale.

·        Don’t let any one inside to use the bathroom.

·        Having a sale alone is difficult.  Get a family member or friend to help out.

·        Don’t follow your customers around.  Small talk is OK but give them space.

·        Resellers may offer you a lump sum for a lot of items.  Be cautious it is a good way to get rid of a lot of stuff early but you might be able to sell it later for the price you listed.  Go ahead and haggle with them.

·        If it’s going to be hot or cold think about offering lemonade or hot chocolate or better yet have the kids sell beverages.  Use disposable cups.

·        During the last hour of the sale and during the tear down, set up a table and put items on it you just don’t want.  Place a “FREE” sign on it.

·        After the sale consider taking some of the items to St. Vincent DePaul, Goodwill or the Salvation Army.  Local veterans groups also have donations programs.

·        After the sale take your books to the book reseller and your cassettes, records tapes to the music reseller.  Something is better than nothing, right?

Buyer Dos & Don'ts:

·        Bring your own hip bag or plastic bags just in case you get more than an arm full.

·        I know it may sound crazy but clean out the trunk or back seat of your car before you head out.  You may need the extra space for that one item you couldn’t resist.

·        If it looks like rain go anyway and take an umbrella.  You may be the only one shopping, thus getting the good stuff first.

·        Write down the sizes of your family members in case you buy clothing.

·        Ask the sellers if they have anything else, like furniture inside, they want to sell.  That might spark them to think twice about something.

·        Before paying anything haggle with the seller.  If you have 2 or more items, figure the total then offer them 10-30% less for everything.   What’s the harm?  If they stand firm them offer them what you want.

·        If you see something you must have and the price is too high ask them the best they can do.  If it is still too high, walk away slowly.  If they don’t call you back then swing buy later in the day and make another final offer.  They may be willing at that point to sell it to you to get rid of it.

·        Get there early but remember at the end of the day they may be more inclined to lower the prices to get rid of items.

·        Don’t just drive by unless you have the eyes of a hawk. You don’t, so stop and just look real quick.  You’d be surprise by some of the items hidden behind the bigger items.

·        The Norwood Street Sale is big enough that you are not going to be able to visit all the sales.  Plan to take your time.