It's a good idea to have someone else with you so that funds and goods are monitored at all times.
Use a fanny pack to hold your funds. Cash only, no checks. Serious buyers will make sure they have cash for higher priced items.
Have an extension cord set up so that people can see that electronics work.
If possible, hang clothing and group by size. My husband strung a couple of lines in the garage and we moved a lot of clothing.
Place barriers between the sale area and entrances to your home. Better yet, lock your exterior doors so that no one can enter but you.
Have a prominently marked FREE bin and fill it with odds and ends. Puts buyers in a good mood and moves your junk to someone else's house. I got rid of several cans of paint this way (bad color choices).
Buyers will flock to yard sales that start early, so advertise the earliest start time you can manage. But don't let people on your property before you are set up and ready. Those early morning hagglers are a pain in the butt.
Arrange for Salvation Army or Easter Seals to come pick up what doesn't sell. And for crying out loud, price you stuff to sell. Your objective really should be to get this crap out of your house.
Anymore, it's easier to sell bigger items through Craig's List and donate smaller things. Around here, Easter Seals and Purple Hearts Veterans will come to your home (especially if you are in a nice neighborhood) and pick up goods. All I have to do is leave the items on my front porch.
