The Ultimate Tag-Sale Guide

How Long It Should Last

One-day sales are best in most cases. A full day in the sun (or shade, if you can find it)―say, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.―is plenty of time to get rid of your wares, and shoppers shouldn't feel as if they have all the time in the world to haggle and browse. So don't let your sale drag on until dusk or the next day.

A two-day schedule is most appropriate for an estate sale, in which an entire household of inventory needs to be moved, Rinker says. Estate-sale goods tend to be upscale; if your items fall into this category, an auction may be a better solution. To find a professional appraiser where you live, go to isa-appraisers.org or appraisers.org.