Social Sales: Virtual Yard Sales Mean Convenient Savings!

I found this on a friends BLOG. This would be so neat if we could get this going here in Southeast Texas.

Yard sales can lead to incredible bargains and steals. Sometimes, though, it is too much of a hassle to pack up the kids and run all over town. Likewise, holding your own garage sale is a balance between purging your home of things you don’t use and making a bit of money. Still, it is hard to justify spending the whole weekend sitting in the driveway!
Facebook online yard sales is a new, fun way to buy and sell without the aggravation. The feature promotes large, online regional yard sales, organized by county. Some counties even have more than one site. Mine, for example, has a yard sale site dedicated to only things for kids and another for formal items.
Here’s how it works:

• Browse the Facebook page.
• If you see an item you like, leave a comment indicating you are interested.
• Organize a meeting to get the item and pay the seller.

Selling is also easy:

• Post a picture and a short description with the location and price.
• Wait for a response (usually no longer than 24 hours).
• Arrange a meeting with interested buyers and collect the cash!

I find it so much easier to go through my home taking pictures of the items I want to sell instead of dragging them out to the driveway for the weekend.
So what makes a Facebook yard sale better than, well, Craigslist.com, for example? Most people already check Facebook a half-dozen times a day. The forum also allows for instantaneous, efficient replies. Also, I’ve had some great luck on these sites. I bought my toddler’s entire spring and summer wardrobe for $50. And I’ve sold outdoor furniture, baby bottles, old cell phones, pet accessories and clothing.
Useful tips:

• Search Facebook for your county/town for a buy/sell site. Otherwise, start one!
• Always arrange to meet up at a public place during daylight hours.
• Exchange cell phone numbers in case plans change.
• Be on time!
• When buying, have exact change ready.
• When selling, post quality pictures with details.
• Be honest. Report stains, missing pieces or malfunctioning parts in the description.
• Read and know the rules. The site’s “admin” will post a list. Following etiquette gives you a good reputation.

Get off the lawn chair in your driveway and head in to the laptop! Savvy shoppers are finding yard sale treasures online faster.
Links for a few areas:

• Monroe County, PA
• Ohio Valley
• Bay City, MI
• West Plains, MO
• Lynchburg, VA
• Butte County, CA
• South Boston

This has been a guest post by Tiffany from Pen Argyl, PA.