{"id":945,"date":"2016-08-29T13:27:29","date_gmt":"2016-08-29T19:27:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/estatesales.org\/university\/?p=945"},"modified":"2017-04-28T16:09:56","modified_gmt":"2017-04-28T22:09:56","slug":"how-to-set-up-your-estate-sale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/university\/how-to-set-up-your-estate-sale\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Set Up Your Estate Sale"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s the big day of your estate sale. If you\u2019re new to the estate sale business<\/a>, you\u2019re still figuring out what you need to make the sale go smoothly. Even if you\u2019re an estate sale veteran, it can be easy to forget things last minute.<\/p>\n

We compiled a check-off list of best practices for the day of your estate sale, regarding staging, security, signage and supplies you’ll need. Remember: a little preparation up front goes a long way toward success.<\/p>\n

Staging Your Estate Sale<\/h2>\n

Staging can make or break your estate sale. Think about your favorite store and the feeling you get when you walk inside. Now think about the store that always stresses you out. Is everything in disarray? Is there an unfriendly vibe? Does it look unclean? All of these cues subconsciously let you know what kind of place it is.<\/p>\n

The good news is, unlike other aspects of an estate sale, staging is completely within your control. Do what you can to create the kind of atmosphere you\u2019d like to attract the customers you want, and not problem shoppers<\/a>. Then get them in the buying frame of mind.<\/p>\n

\"Estate<\/p>\n

Closets<\/h3>\n

Some estate sale companies use closets for same-price items (usually clothes). Then, put a sign on the closet door: Everything $X. Done.<\/p>\n

Ladders<\/h3>\n

Ladders are great tools that can be used\u00a0for displays.\u00a0Set it horizontal or vertical or use slats to make even more room.<\/p>\n

Clothes rack<\/h3>\n

Investing in a traditional clothes rack you can use at every sale is also a good idea.<\/p>\n

Skirt Hangers<\/h3>\n

Use these for bigger items, like quilts and table cloths<\/p>\n

Doors<\/h3>\n

Dust off the top of doors to hang blankets, quilts, etc.<\/p>\n

Beds<\/h3>\n

If the beds are still in the house, use them! Beds can be used to display flat items or items that can be laid out.<\/p>\n

Stair or walkway railings<\/h3>\n

Railings\u00a0can be put\u00a0to use to display items, like clothes and linens.<\/p>\n

Signage<\/h2>\n

A picture is worth a thousand words<\/a>, but a sign is worth a million. Got\u00a0something to say? Say it with a sign. Signs are not only a way to convey the rules to customers, they\u2019re also a way to set the tone for your estate sale. And forget less is more when it comes to signs – the more, the better.<\/p>\n

Here are some examples you may want to think about at your estate sale. If you know you\u2019ll reuse them, invest in some professional, sturdy signs so you don\u2019t have to reinvent the wheel every time.<\/p>\n

\"Estate
Signs are by Leftovers Austin Estate Sales<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Smile! You\u2019re on candid camera! (smug smiley optional)<\/h3>\n

This Big Brother reminder is casual enough to be friendly, but sends the message that you mean business.<\/p>\n

Items without tags are not for sale.<\/h3>\n

This type of estate sale sign eliminates people who take off the price in hopes of getting a deal – or free! (Yes, there are people like this; stay in the business long enough, and you may start to lose faith in humanity). The best way to eliminate this is to prohibit sales without price tags. You\u2019d be surprised how well this works.<\/p>\n

Do Not Enter!<\/h3>\n

Not every room at an estate sale is a free-for-all, especially if your clients are still living at home. Place Do Not Enter signs wherever you want customers to keep out of – like bathrooms if you don\u2019t want them using your facilities for a pit stop.<\/p>\n

We prosecute shoplifters & price switchers<\/h3>\n

Pretty self-explanatory. The trick here is to actually follow up on your threat if it happens. Word gets around and you want to be known as the company who can\u2019t be ripped off.<\/p>\n

Kids under 10 must be accompanied by an adult<\/h3>\n

Letting small children run amok in someone else’s home, whether or not it’s an estate sale, should be an apparent\u00a0no-no. Unfortunately, not everyone has good manners. Let a sign point out the obvious.<\/p>\n

All items 25% off (or 50%, etc.)<\/h3>\n

These are convenient for announcing estate sale discounts<\/a>, rather than having to tell each customer at the door or at check-out.<\/p>\n

Sorry, we’re full. Please wait.<\/h3>\n

Put this sign on the front door when you need\u00a0help controlling traffic inside the house, without having to put an employee on guard.<\/p>\n

More stuff in the garage!<\/h3>\n

Pro estate salers know the best stuff often lives in the garage (power tools, anyone?) But some shoppers won’t know other rooms have items like furniture for sale<\/a> unless you point it out.<\/p>\n

Security<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s the seedy side of the business, but\u00a0like it or not, there are thieves\u00a0out there who will try to rip you off. Estate sales\u00a0are often easy targets. Luckily with affordable technology at our fingertips, going vigilante is easier than ever. Of course, if you do catch a thief or something comes up missing, always report it to help make sure it doesn’t happen again.<\/p>\n

\"Home<\/h3>\n

Cameras<\/h3>\n

There are so many different options, depending on your needs. These days, many\u00a0cameras can work in conjunction with your\u00a0smartphone, tablet, or computer. \u00a0Check out this list of security cameras<\/a> that are easy to set up at a reasonable price.\u00a0(For legal reasons, be sure to let customers know they’re under surveillance.)<\/p>\n

Security guards<\/h3>\n

You don\u2019t have to employ actual rent-a-cops, although the bigger estate sale companies usually pay for this service. Security guards can simply mean people you hire especially to keep an eye out for\u00a0shoplifters.<\/p>\n

Extra employees<\/h3>\n

Just having extra estate sale staff<\/a>\u00a0around, if you can afford it, is also a way to cut down on stealing. Think of it as a panopticon, estate sale style.<\/p>\n

Bluetooth<\/h3>\n

Some estate sale companies use a Bluetooth<\/a> device to communicate with each\u00a0other, and have found it has the same effect on shoplifting as having extra employees. Chalk it up to paranoia, thieves are less apt to steal when they think people are talking about them. If you suspect bad behavior, say, \u201cWe may have a problem\u201d or something to that effect to scare the potential thief out of pocketing that collectible.<\/p>\n

Estate Sale Regulars<\/h3>\n

Unfortunately, it can be regular customers who are thieving from your sales. These people are known to frequent estate sales on the regular, and because you see them all the time, it can be easy to let your guard down. If you\u2019re finding items keep going “missing”\u00a0at your sales, you may consider keeping an eye on the people you see every weekend.<\/p>\n

Call the police<\/h3>\n

Even if you don\u2019t feel like reporting the crime, you should. The more theft is documented, the better chance there is of stopping it. This problem doesn\u2019t affect only you, but all the estate sales (and stores, for that matter) in your community.<\/p>\n

Supplies<\/h2>\n

These are the nuts and bolts of your sale day. Just like you\u2019d be prepared with a bridal bag for a wedding, you\u2019ll want to gather everything you might need before<\/em> your estate sale, instead of scrambling the day of. Not only\u00a0will it save you time,\u00a0you’ll\u00a0look that much more professional and prepared to clients and customers.\u00a0Check out more tools of the trade<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Estate<\/p>\n

Grease pencils<\/h3>\n

Before running out to buy a bunch of price stickers, consider other methods of displaying the price. The problem with price tags is that some people like to remove them (see above). Others may even switch them to get a lower price on the item they want! Be one step ahead of the scammers and try to price everything using a grease pencil, which can write on glass and plastic.<\/p>\n

Zip ties<\/h3>\n

These work especially well for lots, like kitchen utensils, art supplies, tools.<\/p>\n

Stapler, tape, pen, paper<\/h3>\n

Better to have than to have not. For price tags that fall off or last minute to-do\u2019s and forget-me-nots.<\/p>\n

Folding tables<\/h3>\n

Use a couple of folding tables, one for checkout and one for bagging\/wrapping items. Hint: keep these tables separate to avoid congestion\u00a0and keep things moving.<\/p>\n

Boxes and bags<\/h3>\n

Customers appreciate having plastic or paper bags to tote their items home in. Start collecting them or buy them in bulk at CostCo or Sam’s. Some estate sale companies require shoppers to BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag\/Box), which most people don\u2019t seem to mind.<\/p>\n

Hint:<\/strong>\u00a0Look for bags\u00a0in the home of your estate sale – you\u2019ll often find them in the junk drawer or closet.<\/p>\n

Carry crates for shoppers to use while browsing<\/h3>\n

Go the extra mile and give customers a crate or bag they can put items in while browsing. It encourages them to buy more!<\/p>\n

Wrapping paper<\/h3>\n

To wrap items, use old newspapers<\/a> or ask your local publication for their \u201cend rolls\u201d which\u00a0are blank.<\/p>\n

Calculator<\/h3>\n

This could be on your smart phone or device. Great for calculations on the fly, especially for those of us who were English majors.<\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

That about covers it! What are your must-have supplies when holding\u00a0an estate sale? Let us know your tips in the comments!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s the big day of your estate sale. If you\u2019re new to the estate sale business, you\u2019re still figuring out what you need to make the sale go smoothly. Even if you\u2019re an estate sale veteran, it can be easy to forget things last minute. We compiled a check-off list of best practices for the\u2026Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":973,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[87,43,85],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Set Up Your Estate Sale | Estate Sale Company Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to set up your estate sale with tips on everything from staging your estate sale, security, signage, and supplies you'll need the day of.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/estatesales.org\/university\/how-to-set-up-your-estate-sale\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Set Up Your Estate Sale\" 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