First Car Boot Sale! Tips??

bratsmum

Hope this is the right place to put this, it seemed sort of right!

Having my first ever car boot sale at the end of March, its at my local primary school. Any tips on what to sell? I have loads of kids clothes, ranging in age from 0 to about 10, boys and girls, along with soft toys and outgrown games etc. Also kids books, along with some adult paperbacks (no, not that sort!) Various music CDs, and probably a load of kids videos too. Should I dig some other stuff out for variation? Not too sure what tho.

A general idea on prices would be very helpful too, as I am a complete newbie at this.

Am collecting change a plenty and loads of carrier bags (hope I'll need them).

Any tips would be great, thank you very much.

A_LANCASHIRE_LAD_2

bratsmum wrote:

Hope this is the right place to put this, it seemed sort of right!

Having my first ever car boot sale at the end of March, its at my local primary school. Any tips on what to sell? I have loads of kids clothes, ranging in age from 0 to about 10, boys and girls, along with soft toys and outgrown games etc. Also kids books, along with some adult paperbacks (no, not that sort!) Various music CDs, and probably a load of kids videos too. Should I dig some other stuff out for variation? Not too sure what tho.

A general idea on prices would be very helpful too, as I am a complete newbie at this.

Am collecting change a plenty and loads of carrier bags (hope I'll need them).

Any tips would be great, thank you very much.

Hi all this sort of stuff is 10 a penny at car boots
Id price everything low to sell

clothes 50p
games again low prices 50p to a £1 ( more if waddingtons early ones )
ie paperback books 20p
videos 50p
cds 50p etc
cuddlies 20p 50p etc

If you want to sell the lot SELL IT LOW !
and turn clutter into cash !
Make sure everthing has either a price on has a sign saying the price (some would disagree on this )
Dont refuse anything on any item and ENJOY THE DAY !

HAPPY CAR BOOTING !


:j :T

trevored

bratsmum wrote:

Hope this is the right place to put this, it seemed sort of right!

Having my first ever car boot sale at the end of March, its at my local primary school. Any tips on what to sell? I have loads of kids clothes, ranging in age from 0 to about 10, boys and girls, along with soft toys and outgrown games etc. Also kids books, along with some adult paperbacks (no, not that sort!) Various music CDs, and probably a load of kids videos too. Should I dig some other stuff out for variation? Not too sure what tho.

A general idea on prices would be very helpful too, as I am a complete newbie at this.

Am collecting change a plenty and loads of carrier bags (hope I'll need them).

Any tips would be great, thank you very much.

Hi A few little tips

a) Try to get banana boxes from your local supermarket Morrisons are very good if you've got one locally. These boxes are a decent size and come complete with well fitting lid. These stop hands dipping into your boxes before your're ready to display them.

b) Always load your table in last. New booters are tempted to put the table into the boot first then pile all the goods on top resulting in the last thing being brought out is the table. In the meantime your goods are lying on the ground.

c) when you first arrive you may be swamped these are usually the 'dealers' who will grab items with "How much do you want for these love?". Tip here is try to use the boxes as in (a) above or open boot take something out then close it again so people can't just dive in. When loading your car put the better things in first and the least valuable or 'rubbish' in last. So these goods are brought out first. And ask DOUBLE or more the actual amount you'd like. The dealers will either pay up or get the message. They normally get the message!! Once you've settled down you can adjust your prices.

d) make sure you have a 'float' in small change at least £15 which must be in a container with a lid. Keep that secure in the car until you're ready to sell. Once selling,I suggest you keep your float in the boot of the car where only you can reach it. Always have your car boot fee in addition to your float.

e) take someone with you, they can watch your 'stock' while you set up
& keep you company! Remember to take something to sit on plus something to eat & drink (remember something to clean your hands with too).

f) start your prices a little higher & be prepared to come down. If you've watched 'Car Booty' on TV they ask crazy prices & encouraged to do so. Just remember every five 20p's is worth a £1 so it's about piling it high selling it cheap. Don't bother putting prices on the goods, if they want it they ask but don't be surprised if they ask, "How much is this?" You say 5p they look the item all over then put it down & walk away.

g) Expect a flourish of interest when you first arrive, then there will be a lull then it will pick up again. So don't panic & give your goods away cheaply too soon.

h) If there are regular boot sales nearby, try to go around as a 'buyer' a couple of times before you sell to get a 'feel' for the prices.

i) put anything and every thing into your sale, you'll be surprised at what people will buy.

j) make sure you enjoy it! Your doing something for society...you're recycling!!!!

The BBC also have advice here http://www.bbc.co.uk/antiques/buying_and_selling/carbootsselling.shtml

Pete.g

I'll 2nd point (e) above, there are some thieving little swines at car booties! even to the point that the organisers at my local one recommend you to lock your car while your stood next to it selling!!!!

highguyuk

bratsmum wrote:

Hope this is the right place to put this, it seemed sort of right!

Having my first ever car boot sale at the end of March, its at my local primary school. Any tips on what to sell? I have loads of kids clothes, ranging in age from 0 to about 10, boys and girls, along with soft toys and outgrown games etc. Also kids books, along with some adult paperbacks (no, not that sort!) Various music CDs, and probably a load of kids videos too. Should I dig some other stuff out for variation? Not too sure what tho.

A general idea on prices would be very helpful too, as I am a complete newbie at this.

Am collecting change a plenty and loads of carrier bags (hope I'll need them).

Any tips would be great, thank you very much.

Tips on what to sell: Well that all depends on what you have in the cupboard doesn't it. Personally, if you have a Porsche lying around that you could sell for a couple of quid Id go for it. lol. Joking aside, you will need to take lots of your items for it to be worthwhile as the selling price isn't going to be v.high. Don't just dig other items out for variation, take what you want to get rid of as a priority and then when you've loaded the car see what room you have left.

I personally haven't written prices on items when ive done a car boot. During the day your prices will come down as you try and get some money in - and with prices you've got to spend the time writing labels. Car boot is a hagglers market - so dont be scared to get stuck in and barter.

Definetly take some change with you - and I would definetly take a friend. Although thats because I usually end up walking off in search of my own bargain ... ahem.

Good luck - let us know how you get on. Stick to your guns and get the prices you want.

floydy

i'd advise you to keep your cash on you, especially notes, maybe just have a tub for change. i've heard of some having their takings stolen from inside their car, while being distracted, so keep your car locked too! Car boots are great on the whole, everyone loves a bargain, so its often a good atmosphere, but just be wary of sharks.

liz_uk

floydy wrote:

i'd advise you to keep your cash on you, especially notes, maybe just have a tub for change. i've heard of some having their takings stolen from inside their car, while being distracted, so keep your car locked too! .

I had this happen to me, I was being distracted by a man trying to haggle with me, whilst a 2nd member of his team went around the other side of my table to look for my cash box in my boot, then a 3rd member interupted and started asking me about something else. They were all working together it was obvious, and as I had been warned about this previsouly, I had hidden my cash tin in my boot under a pile of other stuff.

It was obvious to me what was going on as they were all aged 20-30, not british and were asking me questions about a barbie bike and a cuddly rabbit.

Mmm

Hermia

Take loads of people with you! I have only done two car boots and hated the experience. I took 3 people both times and still had loads of stuff pinched. I was really shocked as I had purposefully gone to a nice middle-class area! (the local car boot sales are full of dodgy types selling pirated DVDs and stolen goods). When you are setting out have one person who is not doing anything and just watches everything like a hawk.

bratsmum

Thank you people for your advice! I'm off to the attic to start organising it, but its cold up there! Think I'll go for the sell it cheap and clear it out method, except for a few designer kids clothes (did I really spend that much on them!). Got some kitchen stuff up there too, glasses and stuff. Not sure what. I'll let you know how the sale goes!

And I'll watch out for those thieving wotsits as well.

mrcow

Car boot tips:

Take a decorating table and cover it in a clean cloth to set up your stuff. Lay it out nicely so people don't rifle and ensure that everything is on display. I've seen many a seller just pile all their stuff on the grass and have expected people to buy from them! They've gone home empty handed.

Make sure all of your stuff is CLEANED and mended where necessary.

Buy a packet of little price tags, and price up everything before you go. Some people will haggle, but many people won't, and if there's no price, won't give it a second look. Take the stickers with you, so you can drop/up your prices throughout the morning as required.

Get there early I'm talking 5.30/6am and make sure that you have a flask of tea/bottle of drink and some sandwiches with you. (You DON'T want to be spending money whilst you're there).

Get a friend/relative to come along for moral support and help with setting up/packing away.

Take plenty of carrier bags and at least £20 of small change. Make sure that you know how much you've brought, so you can work out your earnings.

Don't be shy........I'm always amazed at the old cr*p that some people will buy. It's great fun, and as long as you make your pitch money back, then you've lost nothing.

For details of local car boots, best place is to check out your local papers. The pitch money will be about a tenner, so make sure that you have that handy.

If it's sunny, pack some sun cream, unless you want a sunburned face!

Take something secure to put your money in. A money belt is best, because then no one can run off with it.

Make colourful signs for any larger/more expensive items, with any useful information in bold letters.

Put a smile on your face, it will attract people to your stall.

Don't worry about vultures.......if people are flocking around your car, you can just lock the doors and wait for them all to p*ss off to the next pitch before you start setting up. If anyone is intimidating you, tell them to come back later. Remember, you are in control.

Don't be worried about taking anything back home with you. What doesn't sell today, will sell next week.

If you've space, pack a collapsable chair. You'll probably be on your feet for a good 6 or 7 hours, and it can be tiring (but it's well worth it).

Also - in this weather - take some gloves!

If you're there mainly to clear out junk, then take any reasonable offer. I usually price my stuff quite low (mainly becuase my mother has a house of old junk that I am trying to deplete for her!). You'll get a feel for pricing as you go along.

VERY important.....check all your notes.....especially twenties, as there are fakes around. I personally wouldn't acept a cheque from anyone....but it's your call.

The main thing is to ENJOY it. It's great fun, and think of all the clutter you're clearing!

EMPTY_PURSE_5

Hi Bratsmum,

I used to do boot sales 3-4 times a week across the country for approx 3 years.

Some tips ::

If possible hang all clothes on a rail in size order ( people dont always like to be seen rummaging ), if no rail then hang the best ones on the back of car and rest folded tidy showing sizes.

Books always sell better if you go for the '5 for a pound or 25 pence each' people think they are getting a bargain and will buy any ones to make up the five.

Talk to people as they approach, any old chit chat, weather etc. The more approachable you are the longer they will linger at your stall.

Near the end of day, let any prospective buyers name their price and if its too cheap tell them so, they will be trying it on ... and if they offer more than you would have thought, then woohoo ... bit more profit.

But most of all ... have fun !!!

No-one wants to buy of someone who looks as though they dont want to be there.

Hope this helps


Millie xxx