There is one thing about your pending move that you know must be done: conduct a moving sale. That’s right, a moving sale — where you sell off items you no longer need, thereby reducing your inventory and saving on your moving costs. Done right, a moving sale can also bring in much money. The following are the tips and tricks of conducting a successful sale.
- Separate your high value items. Not everything you own should be available at a moving sale. These items include anything that would fetch a premium, if sold separately, such as on eBay or through an advertisement. Sure, you’ll need to take pictures, write a description and negotiate with people when posting your ad online, but you’ll also find individuals better suited to buy what you own. You’ll make more money by taking this extra step.
- Choose a moving sale date. Not every day is ideal for holding a moving sale, but typically you’ll choose at least one weekend day, perhaps two. Be mindful of other events in the area that might siphon traffic from your sale, such as the county fair or a sporting event. Then again, if your home is along the route that people take when traveling to these special events, you’ll have more opportunities to attract people interested in your sale.
- Be aggressive with your pricing. The idea of a moving sale is to move your items. The last thing you want is to have many left over items with little cash to show for it. Don’t get overly sentimental over anything thinking, “I paid $20 for this clock at the Big Store three years ago.” If you can get $5 for it, then mark it as such. Do the same with everything else you plan to sell and you’ll have very few items left at the end of your sale.
- Visit your bank. As moving sales go, you’ll have buyers sweeping in with cash to cover their purchases. Lots of larger bills too, although you should never accept anything larger than a twenty-dollar bill. This means visiting your bank and withdrawing cash and coins to cover your change needs. Ask for lots of ones and fives as well as rolls of coins, including nickels, dimes and quarters. If your sale is particularly large, about $200 in change will get you started. You can always ask your customers for smaller bills if they have them.
- Group your items. A moving sale means you’ll have a sample of everything you own on display. This means people will be looking for specific items, so group these by category. If you have children’s clothes, then set up an area to display them. The same can be said for your kitchen items, your husband’s tools, pool supplies, you name it. By making it easier for people to see what you have, they’ll also be more inclined to buy from you and reduce the amount of stuff your moving services company will transport.
- Get others involved. Never fear the competition — make them your allies as you conduct your sale. For instance, if several neighbors have items to sell, invite them to conduct their sale at the same time you hold yours. Multiple sales attract larger crowds, people who are drawn by widespread promotion of the same.
- Advertise with abandon. Speaking of promotion, make it easy for people to find your sale. Place an ad on Craigslist, on your neighborhood’s list serve, and in other places where people are looking for sales such as yours. Develop and post directional signs — make it easy for people to find your home. Just remember to take down your notices and signs once the sale has been completed.
Moving Sale Considerations
If time is of the essence, then conduct a brief sale on a Saturday morning beginning at 8 and over by noon. Once the sale is over, gather the unsold items, place them in boxes and take them to a local charity, such as the Salvation Army. Obtain a receipt for income tax purposes too.