THE PREMIERE VENDOR SITE ON THE ENTIRE 127 ROUTE!
THE PREMIERE VENDOR SITE ON THE ENTIRE 127 ROUTE!
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So you’ve got a garage, a barn, a house, a storage unit, or all of the above overflowing with things you just couldn’t live without but now, for whatever reason, you’ve come to the conclusion it’s time to part with some of the “stuff”.
Or maybe you are an enthusiastic “yardsaler” yourself and you have lots of things you think other people might like to buy.
Or maybe you are a craftsman, or an artisan or maybe even somebody who just thinks setting up for the 127 Yard Sale would be fun. What do you need to know? Here are my top tips for first time sellers.
The 127 Yard Sale started out with the idea that people could set up a sale table or a farm wagon under a shade tree in their yard and sell antiques from their barns. That worked pretty well until millions of people began to make the event their summer vacation and it became “The World’s Longest Yard Sale”.
Now the number of cars and people from literally around the world has made the original concept, though still quaint and good, a bit hazardous.
Few people have sufficient parking in their yards for more than a couple of cars, and driveways were never meant for two way traffic. So people began parking in ditches, along highways and trying to carry merchandise across busy roads. Not a good scenario.
Besides, a lot more people want to participate who don’t live right on US 127, so some others began renting lots, farms, and places big enough for vendors to set up.
If you don’t think you can handle the traffic, or if you have something to sell and don’t live right on US 127, you ought to think about renting a space from a Rental Space Provider.
Yardsalers don’t really care much about fancy commercial tents and facilities. In fact, they like to pick through boxes on the ground or look at stuff sitting on a folding table. It’s all a part of the image of “getting a deal”. So really, what you need depends upon what you are going to sell.
Do you have glassware? A solid table is a good idea. Several depending upon how much you have.
Do you have heavy items like tools, or equipment? Use the ground.
Antique furniture does well on the ground but may need an emergency cover in the event of rain, or heavy dew so be prepared for that.
And some of what you need depends upon what you are going to do when the selling stops at dark.
A lot of vendors treat the weekend as a camping trip. Some arrive in RV’s, or motor homes. Some put up tents. Whatever you might need to camp, you need to bring if you will be staying on your rental space.
If not, then you need to decide if you are going home at night, or to a motel. Hotel and motel arrangements should be made well in advance. Don’t forget, the buyers are traveling hundreds of miles and they need somewhere to stay too. Hotels and motels around the area fill up fast. Check with your rental space provider. The good ones will be prepared to help you with this.
Everything sells. Broken saws sell to guys making knife blades, old plastic toys sell to grandparents, candles sell, jewelry sells, antiques sell and you might even sell your tent and your tables or the vehicle you came in. But what kind of stuff works depends upon your ability to be prepared.
A table full of scented candles without shade will not do well. Tools left out in the dew might look rusty and glassware that collects dust and dew might not appeal to buyers as well as the shiny ones that look clean.
It’s all a matter of the three “P’s”: Price, Presentation and Product.
Any reputable rental space provider will be engaged in making your stay profitable, safe and fun. If not, they won’t be in business very long.
So yes, the whole experience can be a very rewarding, relaxing and enjoyable time to meet with lots of people, chat, learn about them, carry on conversations and make new friends. And it’s a great time to shop with your fellow vendors.
So come on, get out there and SELL. You never know, it might be almost as much fun as buying!
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