If you are making a move this Winter season or just looking to sell some stuff you don't need anymore, you don't have to wait until the Springtime to have a yard sale. There are still many folks who will brave the cold weather for a good yard sale, and if you advertise it correctly and have enough hot chocolate on hand, you are bound to sell some of your stuff! Check out these tips to have a successful Winter yard sale.
Check for any issues holding your yard sale: It might be good to check and see if you are able actually to set up a yard sale. Depending on where you live, you might need a permit from your local government to hold the sale. Additionally, if you live in a neighborhood that has a homeowners association (HOA), you should check with them to make sure there are no rules against holding a yard sale, or if there are certain restrictions you must follow.
Let people know: The next step will be to let everyone know when and where your yard sale will be, as some might not be actively looking for one in the Winter time. This can include the typical placing of signs around your neighborhood with the time and address. Social media is also a terrific way to get the word out. There are many groups on Facebook that you can join that are neighborhood or even city-centric. Nextdoor is also an excellent tool to use. This app goes by a true neighborhood by neighborhood basis and is a way for people to share news and information with the folks living around them. These social media apps are perfect for drawing in interest from the local area for your yard sale.
Keep an eye on the weather: While you won't be able to guarantee a sunny and balmy temperature day for any customers at your yard sale, you can at least try to schedule it on a day where it won't be raining or worse, snowing. While some looking for a good deal might be more willing to brave the cold, if it seems like it might rain on your yard sale day, try to reschedule it if you can.
Make the event a warm one: While it will likely be cold outside for your yard sale, that doesn't mean it needs to be cold for your potential customers. Try going the extra mile and make a large batch of hot chocolate and have disposable cups ready and offer it for those checking out your stuff. If you have any outdoor heating units, bring them out as well. Comfortable customers might be willing to buy some of your stuff if you try to make them as warm as possible on a cold day!
Have some helpful hands with you: Working in the cold can be exhausting for anyone, especially if you are hauling items back and forth from a storage spot to your yard sale location. Try recruiting some helping hands for the event. Asking family and friends is always a good option. You can also ask neighbors and friends who might want to sell their items as well and have a combined yard sale. They can join your sale and help with setting it up and taking it down!
Sell inside: If possible, try having your yard sale inside. This can be having it in a meeting place that you can rent out for an afternoon or, at worst, clear out your garage and host it in there. This helps keep your guests not only warm but if slightly inclement weather occurs, you won't need to cancel your sale. Just be sure to list wherever you advertise your yard sale is at that it is indoors so that folks will still come by!
If you require storage for your yard sale event, then give 1-800-PACK-RAT a call! We can drop an all-steel, weatherproof portable storage container off at your door for use as on-site storage, or you can fill it up, and we'll store it in one of our nationwide storage facilities. We also provide industry leading local and long-distance moving services if you need to make a move to a new home soon. Whatever your moving and storage needs may be, 1-800-PACK-RAT has you covered!