The Easy Way To Yard Sales & Auctions

Auctions and Yard & Garage Sales Made Easy

Let's get right down to business. Obviously you're interested in making money by selling or reselling items. So enjoy this site!

See Successful Sales Strategies for how to a create successful sale (a "to do" checklist is included). See Buy For Resale for tips to expand your sales with purchased goods and Payment Options. See the Champion Cheapskate Training Center for frugal lifestyle tips. See Overview for a general overview of this site. And feel free to share your comments with me.

For more specialized topics see how to publicize your sale, how to negotiate with customers, how to set prices, where to buy resale items and what to do with leftovers.

So what do you sell? Any item is fair game (collectibles, toys, books, computers, programs, videos, music, food, clothes, tools, appliances, furniture, etc.). Emphasize solutions, fun, convenience, entertainment and protection, and not mere items. The only limit is your imagination. Be creative.

Do-it-yourselfers can repair, restore, refinish and make even more money. And remember the sum of the parts (cars, computers, bikes, etc.) is often greater than the whole. Unlock hidden value with Leveraged Sell Outs (LSO).

Turn your sales into a money-making business. Get your very own personally autographed copy of "THE Self-Employment Resource Guide," ISBN 188129-715-2. Send $29US (international $33US) postpaid to: Information Research Lab 9824 Western Avenue, 144, Dept. Surplus, Evergreen Park, Illinois 60805, USA. If you order today you get a FREE report.100% MONEY Back Guarantee!

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1. carefully select items you want to sell

2. location, location, location:
   • pick suitable sales areas - - whether it's your web site, garage, front or backyard, a store, auction, festival, flea market or parking lot

3. sell only items attractive enough to buy. Repair, restore or refinish if necessary

4. schedule the sale at an appropriate time:
   • will your sale compete against "big" events, holidays or other "major" sales?
   • is it timely and seasonal?
   • is it convenient for buyers?
   • is it convenient for you?

5. set prices ahead of time:
   • if you have trouble determining price check the Internet, your local public library (pricing books), auctions, resale & antique shops, boutiques, flea markets, etc.
   • make the asking price high enough to cover all your costs and expenses with a little extra for pure profit
   • reserve room to cut a "deal" with customers

6. make it easy to for people buy from you
   • Accept multiple forms of payment: cash, money order, barter, swap & exchange, in-kind agreements, credit cards, check, e-commerce and the new way. Eliminate excuses not to buy.

7. sell more:
   • offer "bulk" discounts, repeat buyer incentives, customer referral rewards, affiliate programs
   • combine different types of sales both online and off
   • have bags, boxes & wraps for customers (easy carry)
   • have plenty of change (bills, coins) for face to face sales (see #17)
   • consider using price tags and giving out receipts

8. price negotiating tips:
   • set prices
   • give yourself some "wiggle" room. Have room to negotiate price and terms. Customers expect it. Plus when you make "deals" they buy more and tell everyone they know (more customers and sales for you!)
   • WARNING: negotiate only if asked and don't give in too quickly. Remember you must make a fair profit
   • give in less in the early part of the sale. Become more generous as time expires
   • hold out for an attractive price, especially if you have time and a limited amount of items to sell
   • don't get greedy. Don't waste time haggling over a few cents or dollars. If you have a buyer at an equitable price sell the item and move on to the next one

9. target your market. Know exactly who is most interested in buying what you have and what they'll pay to get it. See customer database for more

10. let people know you are having a sale: Publicize, Promote, Market and Advertise. Get the word out to those most likely to buy:
    • announce your sale at least 2 weeks in advance. Advanced notice gives people time to make plans to come
    • contact the most likely buyers directly (friends, relatives, current customers, etc.). Start with people, companies and groups in your address book. See customer database for more
    • repetition is key. The more your target audience hears your message the more likely they'll come
    • use the media (online, newspapers, periodicals, radio, TV, newsgroups, etc.) to help you spread the word
    • use news releases, classified ads, posters, letters, newsgroups, flyers, web sites, e-mail, phone calls and whatever you can think of to publicize your sale
    • tie-ins with worthy causes and charities usually get lots of attention
    • encourage customers to spread the word. Offer some sort of perk, discount or cash reward as an incentive for them
    • start in your neighborhood, where people gather: community centers, clubs, chat rooms, grocery stores, apartment buildings, restaurants, churches, schools, chambers of commerce, businesses, block clubs, libraries, etc.

11. create a Customer Database
    • capture customer and hot prospect information (name, address, items bought, amount spent, preferences, phone number, e-mail, income, demographics, etc.)
    • use your customer database (database marketing) to build, profile and maintain clients

12. build a loyal following. Give people reasons to continue buying from you. Stay in touch with them. This is important if you plan to have additional sales

13. visit competitors and other sellers. Check out what are others are doing:
    • see how they fare
    • steal their ideas
    • get their advice
    • avoid their mistakes
    • team up with them
    • find out what customers want
    • learn the ropes

14. work out issues like set up, presentation, storage, delivery and guarantees before the sale

15. don't forget about your costs: fees, expenses, rent, transportation, repair, etc.

16. protect yourself:
    • have some type of security, especially if you use a cashbox
    • set up restricted areas, especially your living quarters
    • watch out for shoplifters

17. there's strength in numbers and profits. Create scale or "super" sales and synergy:
    • band together with friends, relatives, companies, community groups, churches, neighbors, colleagues, etc.
    • use a variety of sales, online and off

18. check to see if you need any permits or licenses, especially local

19. review sale items again prior to the sale. You don't want to accidentally mix in any family heirlooms, priceless antiques, one-of-a-kind items or necessities

20. know what you are getting yourself into before the sale. Step back and review the process

21. Don't have time then donate items to a worthy cause. Check with your accountant about tax deductions/credits

    
    

Preparation is the key to good sales. Use the 21 step checklist above as your road map to successful sales. Avoid problems and rake in the dough. Remember your objective is to sell (and make money) not end up with a ton of unwanted junk. Take these steps.

Discover other money-makers. Get your personally autographed copy of "Street-Smart Ways To Generate Income." Send $11US (international $15US) postpaid to: Information Research Lab 9824 Western Avenue, 144, Dept. Surplus, Evergreen Park, Illinois 60805, USA. If you order today you get a FREE report. 100% MONEY Back Guaranteed!

Freebies You Need

If you can't sell everything try this:

1. have another sale(s) and try other venues

2. piggyback on someone else's sale (private, online, retail, resellers, flea markets, etc.)

3. swap & exchange with friends, businesses, relatives, neighbors, associates, etc.

4. turn lemons into lemonade. Look for creative and innovative ways to use or present leftovers: mix & match, restore, repair and refinish

5. start using these underappreciated gems. Why buy new stuff?

6. give suitable items as gifts, perks and incentives

7. donate remaining items to worthy causes (a possible tax deduction/credit)

8. never give up! Keep trying to sell

Don't be afraid to experiment. Develop creative ideas of your own. Remember anything is better than being stuck with a bunch of unwanted junk.

Be $treet-$mart. Get your personally autographed copy of "Street-Smart Ways To Generate Income." Send $11US (international $15US) postpaid to: Information Research Lab 9824 Western Avenue, 144, Dept. Surplus, Evergreen Park, Illinois 60805, USA. If you order today you get a FREE report. 100% MONEY Back Guaranteed!

When you buy to resale make sure you:

• try not to buy or prepay
  • pay as you sell. Set up "consignment" agreements with other sellers, manufacturers and merchants
  • use barter, swap & exchange, in-kind agreements, new way to pay
  • co-op: team up with people you know, organizations, businesses, churches, other sellers, etc.
  • be a "virtual" seller. Avoid inventory hassles by using just-in-time tactics, the Internet, mail order, 800 numbers, etc. Some sellers will even "drop" ship for you
  • sell what you have and everything you can get your hands on

• don't over pay! Remember you must make a profit when reselling

• keep the price down
  • take advantage of bulk buying discounts, overstock and sales of all kinds
  • don't forget about auctions, liquidations and foreclosure sales
  • buy direct. Cut out the middleman
  • consider factory seconds and "irregular" goods

• delay payment
  • use methods like installment payments, credit and consignment

• can you actually sell what you buy?
  • be careful. Incredible once-in-a-lifetime "bulk" discounts quickly turn into a garage or warehouse full of unwanted junk
  • is there "popular" demand for it?
  • have you done enough to publicize and promote the sale?
  • is the sale scheduled at an appropriate time?

• get the right type of items
  • does it fit in with other items?
  • does it match the theme of your sale?
  • will anyone be interested in it or more importantly buy?

• get the appropriate amount of items
  • too many and you're stuck with leftovers. What will you do with them? Where will you store them (how much will it cost you?)? Will you ever recoup your investment? That's why it's best not to buy or prepay
  • "less is more." But too few and you don't make any money. You also kick yourself for not having more to sell

• if you buy items that need restoration, repair or refinishing make sure it can be properly done and at a reasonable price. Ask yourself:
  • can you accurately assess what needs to be done? Mistakes can be costly
  • are you capable of doing the work? Have you ever done it before?
  • do you have the time, tools and money to get the job done?
  • if you won't do the work who will, what will they charge, will they do a good job, can you depend on them, etc.?

• get advice from experienced resellers (online, retail, neighborhood, books, libraries, etc.)

• thoroughly check out sellers before you buy from them. Make sure they:
  • aren't con artists
  • actually have merchandise
  • are able to deliver and on time
  • the merchandise meets your standards

For more see where to buy resalable items.

Turn your sales into a money-making business. Get your personally autographed copy of "THE Self-Employment Resource Guide." Send $29US (international $33US) postpaid to: Information Research Lab 9824 Western Avenue, 144, Dept. Surplus, Evergreen Park, Illinois 60805, USA. If you order today you get a FREE report. 100% MONEY Back Guarantee!

1. direct from the source (manufacturers, inventors, crafters, etc.)
   • look out for overstock, remnants, bulk discounts and factory seconds

2. sales of all kinds online and off

3. auctions

4. governments (agencies, divisions, etc.)

5. liquidations and foreclosure sales

6. overseas (take advantage of cheap labor and raw materials. WARNING: avoid child labor sweatshops!)

7. resale, thrift & second-hand shops

8. garage & yard sales and auctions

9. flea markets

10. salvage & surplus stores

11. junk yards

12. bulk sellers

13. raw material suppliers wherever you find them

14. groups, clubs, organizations, associations, churches

15. friends, relatives, associates

Priceline.com lets you name the price on travel, hotels and cars.

Where you buy can literally save you hundreds, $1000s or even millions. Shop around. Learn where the bargains are. Negotiate favorable prices and terms. Make sellers bid for your business. Search out quality. And always look for a better deal.

Buy smart. Give yourself an edge and extra profits. You can't afford to overpay, buy the wrong items, buy excessive amounts or make other costly mistakes when you buy to resale.

Always remember your objective is to make money not lose it, go into debt or get stuck with unwanted junk.

Use other money-makers. Get your personally autographed copy of "Street-Smart Ways To Generate Income," ISBN 188129-724-1. Send $11US (international $15US) postpaid to: Information Research Lab 9824 Western Avenue, 144, Dept. Surplus, Evergreen Park, Illinois 60805, USA. If you order today you get a FREE report. 100% MONEY Back Guaranteed!

About This Site

Coupons, Free stuff, rebates and more!

Garage & yard sales, auctions, classifieds, resale, thrift & second-hand shops, fire sales and flea markets are a shopping paradise, even online. Create your own and use those of others. Also save money by shopping there.

Yes, this is how eBay and other e-commerce auction powerhouses started. Use these and other alternative selling venues to get paid and get rid of your surplus and unwanted items at the same time. Don't forget to combine the different types of sales (online & off) for added success.

Any item is fair game. Unusual and downright weird items should fetch a premium price. Clean out your closets, basement, attic, garage, shed, boxes, crates, storage areas, etc. Sell what you (and interested parties) make, restore, repair and refinish. And buy suitable items and resale them.

Want specifics? See how to publicize your sale, how to negotiate with customers, how to set prices, where to buy resale items and what to do with leftovers.

Sales should be fun, quick, easy, and of course, profitable, especially if you're just selling your own items. It doesn't have to be complicated, exotic or extravagant. Remember the key to success is to create and follow a sales strategy.

Start slow. Begin with something simple like placing FREE classified ads (online) or posting notices in your neighborhood (grocery stores, apartment buildings, chat room, trees, schools, etc.). Also consider selling through a reseller, i.e., resale shops, auctions.

Once you get your feet wet you can move ahead full blast: Have multiple item sales on a regular basis and incorporate the many kinds of sales (online & off). You may even want to purchase additional items, buy in bulk, work with multiple vendors and add payment options.

Keep your sales simple and enjoy the rewards! Don't be afraid. It doesn't take much time or money. Start now!

Get your personally autographed copy of "Time Tactics Survival Guide" by Arthur A. Hawkins II. Send $19.99US (international $23.99US) to: Information Research Lab, 9824 Western Avenue, 144, Dept. Surplus, Evergreen Park, Illinois 60805, USA. You get FREE delivery if you order today. 100% MONEY Back Guarantee!

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