are carboot sales worth it?

skint-student-nurse

in the last few weeks, ive made a good amount of money from my clearout as im down-sizing. ive had a mix of toys,clothes,toiletries,loads of new items and usually sell half of what i take. ive become thick-skinned with the dealers that can sniff out dvds,computer games or other items they are after, i ask all the people hovering what they are after - if ive got it, they can hang on,but usually leave if i havent got it.

you might find SEARCH:1" rel="nofollow">http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/CAR-BOOT-SALES-DO-apos-S-amp-DONT-apos-S-Clear-trash-to-make-CASH_W0QQugidZ10000000001466553?ssPageName=BUYGD:CATSEARCH:1 useful

vet8

My only experience of a car boot sale was not good. I was selling cleared out stuff, not worth much really, but I had priced it accordingly. I was amazed at the scroungers who complained that I was charging 50p and wanted to pay 5p.

Geenie

I am scared by reading this, but considering going for my first car boot sale as I have loads of clothes and shoes to get rid off and can't face going on EBay any more! It scares the hell out of me and all the hassle with postage, people saying it didn't arrive etc, I have decided a car boot might be the way forward to deal with the stuff in one fell swoop!

Do you need to provide some sort of changing facility, ie a curtain with a mirror, or are people happy to accept a size 12 is normal sizing for most outlets?

And how do you deal with hassling people while setting up?

I will have everything priced before hand and will tell my helpers, ie OH and kids to only drop the stated price by a £1, as I am not prepared to let the stuff go for peanuts, but will price at a reasonable level to start with for brand new, hardly used or very good condition clothes.

miss-coordinated

jus71 wrote: »

I sold some new toiletries for £1 each. They all went but someone came up to me and said I was a rip off as they could get them at the pound shop. These were things like the giant bottles of Treseme shampoo and other expensive items that you never see in a pound shop.

My local poundshop (actually it's the "99p store") has huge bottles of Treseme!
Though that was cheeky that person said that- whether you're selling it or the pound shop it's still a bargain.

I'm just telling you in case you decide to start using it again- try the poundshop

MoaningMyrtle

On balance, I think they are worth it. I go to a very well established huge one if I do one.

There is loads of helpful info on Car Booting in the sticky at the top of the page.

Kynthia

Geenie wrote: »

I will have everything priced before hand and will tell my helpers, ie OH and kids to only drop the stated price by a £1, as I am not prepared to let the stuff go for peanuts, but will price at a reasonable level to start with for brand new, hardly used or very good condition clothes.

I wouldn't bother spending too much time pricing up before you go. It's a waste of time. I did that, and after 30mins those prices went out the window! People aren't willing to spend 50p on something worth £10! You're best just haggling the price at the time.

Do you have a money belt or bum bag? Take lots of change and get there very early. Just to warn you, people will knock on your door window while your parking to ask if you have mobiles and sim cards.

I had loads of good, nearly new fiction books and I didn't sell one!!! No one was even remotely interested. Also only the childrens clothes sold, adult clothes don't do well unless their designer or still have their tags. :mad:

Ask people for recommendations of good boot fairs in your area. Good luck.

sclancy1

Just thought I would add to put out any jewelry last... the last time I did a boot sale some gysie types reached past me to the box while unpacking and when I looked in to sort it out ALL of the silvers rings etc had vanished.! Need to have lots of eyes while unpacking!

chja

If you just want rid of the stuff, you might be better giving it to a local charity shop - some will collect by arrangement.

If you want a bit of fun and a few quid then a car boot sale is not a bad option - just get there early and be prepared to see your stuff go for next to nothing. You may still be left with a load at the end though.

Geenie

Many thanks for all the helpful posts and information. I think I will give it a go, as I have so much stuff and trying to do it all on EBay takes so long once I have photographed, measured and listed everything.It will only be clothes and shoes, all mine.....yikes, my hubby is going to be shocked, so I will say I have put on weight and can't wear it any longer!;)

I'm afraid I will not be selling any of my stuff for 50p as too good, and if it doesn't sell, then I will list it on EBay, as having a lot of Boden, Coast and Monsoon from last years catalogues to sell, it seems to do reasonably well on there.

I have given stuff to charity shops before, as my mum works in one. But this is all really new stuff, some hardly or ever worn, so I am not prepared to let it go for 50p there, so someone else can sell it on EBay for several pounds.

daisy1111

I do car boot sales every year and i have become quite a pro at dealing with the annoying people.

I have had some great experiences on car boots and met some fantastic people and i can now get rid of the annoying dealers (they barter down and i put the price up - such fun!!)

I'm 23 and i love them, always have!

I'm having a garage sale in 2 weeks, my first ever one and im nervous. Has anyone done one of those before?