Clean Livin’ Tips to Operate at a Yard Sale | The Garbage Blog

Clean Livin’ Tips to Operate at a Yard Sale 

As summer is creepin’ up on us, it’s time for the age-honored tradition of pullin’ out our unwanted trash and trying to get money for it on our front lawns. 

Many Dirtbags set their calendars to a strict yard sale schedule, and it can be difficult to compete for the best deals. 

So we thought we’d send some clean livin’ tips to both get the best deals as a buyer, and make the most money as a seller. 

Cash vs Digital

First off, as a buyer you gotta come with CASH.  Nothing says GIMME THAT CRAP like a fresh Franklin or Jackson in someone’s hand.  And then Uncle Ben can’t claim any, HOWYERDOIN! 

If you’re a seller, it’s classy to also operate on Venmo, Paypal, or Zelle.  There’s no pain like someone walking away from a big item because you only take cash. 

Go Early 

If you want the BIGGEST deals and the BEST garbage at low prices, you gotta go early.  I know you’re thinking “it’s my Saturday, I wanna sleep in” so you plan to go at 10 AM.  WRONG - all the Ladies of Saint Mary’s have beaten ya to the punch and bought up all the good tools for their husbands.  

And you’re holding a yard sale? Start as early as you can stand it - even 6 or 7 am - that’s when the vultures start to circle. 

Tables or Tarps

If you’re a seller, you should put items either on a table or on top of a tarp.  Don’t use old blankets, plastic, or some other creative method to display.  You want to set this yard sale apart from the other junk you have in your yard on a regular basis, and this is how. 

Also - a questionably clean blanket? That’s the opposite of clean livin’.

When to Haggle 

DON’T haggle over portions of a dollar.  Give the Dirtbags who are putting on the sale an air of respect and toss em an extra 75 cents if you need to! Remember - they had to pay tax on everything! 

While everyone loves a good bargain, don't haggle TOO HARD over the electronics.  Those are the only things on the tarps that’s worth a dime, so give ‘em two. 

Go Hard on Signs & Facebook Groups 

Signs - make em BRIGHT and put em EVERYWHERE.  The front of your house, end of your street, corner of the city block, the best trap corners… This will make the people break check and check out what you’ve got.

Facebook - Even if you haven’t used Facebook since freshman year of community college, now is the time. 

Stay-at-home moms and retired carpenters alike, search and plan their weekends based on posts in Facebook Groups.  Try looking up “your town” + “stuff for sale” or Facebook Marketplace by zip code for the most plugged in group of deal-hunters.  

Post photos, too - people will zoom in and look at every half-full glass for the discount of a lifetime. 

Furniture, furniture, furniture! 

Furniture for sale is the true bat signal of a dirtbag who is either upgrading their couch, or desperate to make money now.  Where there is furniture, more good junk follows. 

If you’re a seller - the furniture is the best way to reel ‘em in.  Make it visible from the street – and the bigger the better.  

Have a Free Box 

While it’s excusable, it can be questionable to sell items you got at the Dollar Store or half-used but still good items like oil or cleaners.  Even if you’re selling a $25 container of dog food for $5 - some things should be given away for free.  Plus then everyone feels like they’re getting a deal, while you’re also saving yourself a trip to the dump. 

Do you have tips to maximize your Yard / Garage Sale? Let us know below! - AYG