For those who are getting ready to move down the street or across the country, a moving sale is often a great way to make some extra cash for the move. However, it is important to remember that there are other, more lucrative venues to use. This article will describe some of those venues as well.
What's the Difference Between a Yard Sale and Moving Sale?
Often, people assume that a yard sale and a moving sale are the same thing. However, this is not the case. The true devotees to the yard sale process (the people who show up with a truck ready to move out all your crap) know the difference.
A moving sale is more substantial than a yard sale. Yard sales are often for people who are just wanting to rid their home of some extra junk. Moving sales, on the other hand, are when the homeowner/renter is moving to another location, as the name implies. Thus, advertising your sale as a "moving sale" is rhetorically savvy--people will be more likely to come because they assume you are selling big-ticket items like furniture.
How to Prepare for the Moving Sale
There are many important points to remember when getting ready for the moving sale. Here are some basic tips:
- Make bright, noticeable signs - If you advertise, they will come. Try to have the signs up an hour or two before the sale starts.
- Advertise the sale on Craigslist - There are people who frequent Craigslist just to see when the weekend's moving sales are occurring. Be sure to take pictures of your big-ticket items and display those on Cragslist, too. Start advertising on Wednesday for a Saturday/Sunday sale.
- Tell friends - This may sound silly, but you're getting rid of your junk for cheap. Your friends might want to help you out, and they're actually getting a great deal. Don't assume they don't to come. They might have been admiring that table of yours for the past year!
- Only prepare items that you don't care about - With moving sales, people are going to bargain with you. You need to set the prices as cheap and be willing to go even lower. Therefore, don't try to sell anything that you are attached to.
- Be sure to get change - Go to the bank and get dollar bills. People will bring $20s and ask for change.
Other Basic Tips for Selling
Remember to be friendly and willing to negotiate. What would you do with this stuff if you weren't selling it? You wouldn't be making any money off of it. So, anything you get is better than nothing.
One final thing to remember is that you might be more likely to get good money for furniture by selling it directly on Craigslist. It can be a hassle, but it can be worth it. You can try advertising for the sale of one particular item and telling people they can view it at your moving sale.
Jenna Pack - Jenna Pack graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in English literature, before moving on to get a master's ...
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