Inevitably, there will be things that don’t sell, even at a successful yard sale. After the last customer leaves and the signs come down, what do you do with all the things that remain? Resist doing it again, or your weekends (and weeks) may revolve around a perpetual garage sale. Instead, look for venues to unload everything, such as consignment shops, charities, and targeted advertising.
Have a Plan
As you’re setting up the yard sale, think about the value of the items you are selling. Keep these categories in mind: trash, donations, clothing sales, furniture sales, collectibles, and large-ticket items. Collect boxes and bags to keep handy for the end of the sale. That way, you can pack up immediately and start getting stuff out of your house, which was the original goal when you planned the sale.
Get Rid of Trash
This is easy! Pull out a garbage bag and fill it with things that you’ve designated as trash. These are the things that no one wanted at the yard sale and no one is likely to want. If you have larger items, check with your waste management company. Find out what the regulations are for picking up extra or bulky trash. For example, some companies will pick up remnants of carpeting if they are rolled and duct-taped.
Make Donations
Find out before the yard sale where you can take items for donation. Goodwill and Salvation Army stores usually take drop-offs until half an hour before they close. Other organizations have drop-off boxes in the community. Some, like Amvets, may pick up things from your home. Place all items to be donated in boxes and bags marked with the name of the place you are taking them and put them in your car. Deliver them as soon as possible.
The advantage to donating things to nonprofit organizations—the donations are tax-deductible. Be sure to ask for a receipt with an official stamp.
Visit Consignment Shops
Consignment shops are great places to unload things. Remember, one person’s trash is another’s treasure. Some shops specialize in clothing or furniture; others accept a variety of items. Call the shops to find out what they accept and when.
Decide ahead what is going where, and make arrangements to get it there. If something is too big to transport in your car, look for a friend with a truck. Again, pack up items immediately.
Targeted Advertising
It may be worth more of your time to try to sell collectibles and larger-ticket items, like exercise bikes. Publications such as the Pennysaver offer free classified ads to sell items under a certain dollar value. For higher-priced items, the ads are relatively inexpensive. Many people have success selling collectibles on Craigslist and eBay.
When the yard sale is over, don’t despair over unsold goods. But don’t just bury them in a corner until the next yard sale. Plan ahead and make arrangements to either get rid of things or sell them. Your home and garage will be less cluttered, and you may have a little more money in your pocket.
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