ORGANIZE YOUR YARD SALE DISPLAY

We visited a few yard sales this week and we just could not turn off the organizer within us. We kept noticing that some folks did not make the best use of their space. Maybe they just wanted a little fresh air and sunshine and selling the unwanted items didn’t matter much. That is the impression they projected with the jumble of items that littered their lawns.

We are serious about yard sales we organize for ourselves and for our clients. We want to make money, maintain safety, use our time well and have fun, so we have a few guiding principles that we abide by when it comes to space utilization and display.

Provide prices for everything. It is not necessary to put a price on every item if you are willing to accept a single price for a category. Examples are:
Men’s T-shirts $2.00
Paperback books $0.25
For items priced by category, keep a list next to the cashier space.
If time is running short or you have a bunch of miscellany that defies description, allow customers to fill a bag you provide for a set price that is posted on the bin of items

Be clear about what is included in the price. Keep multi-piece sets together with pins, rubber bands or plastic zip bags. Make special note on price tag about features or pieces missing.

Maintain safety. Allow adequate space between display sites for two people to walk side-by-side. This allows for two-way traffic, parents with children, and handicap access.

Make sure that sharp objects do not protrude into walk space and that heavy objects are not precariously balanced on shelves. Also remove any broken pieces or loose small pieces from open access and put in plastic bags and tape to the item if they are part of the sale. Do not place green tarps on green grass. Some shoppers may have difficulty seeing where the boundary is and stumble over the items on the tarp. Make sure display tables and other devices are sturdy and able to support the weight of items displayed on them.

Put like things together. Some categories to consider are toys, children’s clothing, tools, small appliances, exercise equipment, jewelry, home decor. Books are a tricky item and some advice columns say they do not sell well. That has not been our experience. Think about putting some of your books with categories that are directed to customer segments: children’s books with toys, how-to books with tools, recipe books with kitchen items. It just might tempt your customers to peruse the book stacks for others that might interest them. Put things next to each other that appeal to market segments: toys next to children’s clothing, garden equipment next to tools, jewelry next to women’s clothing.

Capture passers-by with visible merchandise. Set tempting items close to the curb. If possible, include items that will draw in various population segments. A piece of furniture, a toy, a fertilizer spreader and a piece of exercise equipment will attract very different buyers and more buyers equal more sales.

Have fun. Yard sales are a way to rid yourself of unwanted items, meet new people and make a little cash. While doing that you get to enjoy fresh air and sunshine and your choice of refreshing beverage. We call that a good day!

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

A MOVING MESSAGE

Recently we have been working with some clients who are getting ready to move to new residences. We have been organizing files, sorting items to keep and discard, suggesting storage alternatives and reviewing packing lists. We have been staging homes for sale and organizing selection of methods for storage and packing.

One client has given herself three weeks to move from a shared apartment to a new home several hundred miles away. Another client is planning to place their home for sale in the spring and hopefully sell by summer. They have to implement the improvements they want to make prior to sale and then find a buyer before they move thousands of miles to a another state.

Both of these clients are a little stressed with fitting the things they have to do in the time frame they have. We have developed plans to help them accomplish their goals and will give them the assistance they need to get the job done, but we have gotten a late start and have to compensate.

To be fair, we know that folks do not always have a long time to plan moves. A new job gets offered, an unexpected illness occurs, notices are given that require a quick getaway. We always find a way to get the basics done, but it requires diligence and commitment.

The moving message we want to give is this: When you have adequate time to plan, estimate the time it will take you to get everything done and double it. Life goes on while the move is being planned and work and family issues still need attending. Houses are staying on the market longer. In this area nine months is considered a quick sale. Consequently, the sooner the house is ready for showing, the more likely goals for sales and closing dates can be met.

Even if there is no sale required, having time to make the minor repairs to recoup retained deposits can make a difference in money available for the new digs.

No matter how much time you have to make your move, it is helpful to:

• Make a list of what you have to do. Work backwards from the moving date to set timelines. Don’t forget to include often overlooked items like picking up cleaning and making arrangements with the building supervisor to reserve the elevator and parking space for the moving van.


• Discard, sell, and give away anything you will not use at your new residence before you begin to pack.


• Keep important papers, moving documents and prescription drugs easily accessible and separate from packed items.


• Make arrangements to appropriately disconnect and package major appliances for transfer


• Keep an inventory of items packed for check off when your possessions arrive. This will allow easy identification of loss or damage.


• Do a complete walk-though before you leave. If possible ask someone to accompany you to provide an extra set of eyes to identify anything left behind.


• Take pictures of the premises as you leave it. These will come in handy if there is a dispute about the condition of rental property or the need to file insurance claims for vacant property.

A good professional organizer can be a valuable asset in helping you make the most of the time you dedicate to moving on to your next adventure.

Beverly & Kristen
http://www.keytransitions.net/