Car boot sales in/around Redhill RH1

marybishop

Hi Seaxwyn - sorry for not replying sooner. Haven't been to Horley, South Park or Gloucester Road (think you're probably right about Gloucester Road though!!) The three I did last year were two at a school in Bracknell (can't remember the name but my mum lives nearby which is why we went there) and the Lingfield one. One tip - during the summer hols things can be a bit quiet as presumably people are away on holiday (worth remembering when you're paying £7/£8 a pitch). But really good fun to do especially if you go with someone else. Pack up the night before if possible as a lot of them tend to start early and although you think it wont take long to load up it usually does! Also keep in mind that whatever you're asking for something people usually halve it so start off higher and come down!

Seaxwyn

Thanks Mary.

I can't wait for the carboot season! I've done three before, in London, but the last one must have been eleven or twelve years ago.

I'm going to nip down to Horley as soon as we get a warm Sunday to have a look and suss out what people are selling and for how much.

happy_chick_3

hi seaxwyn

how's the money saving going? any luck on ebay? now most people have had their january pay day, i reckon they'll start buying again - its been a bit quiet for me on the amazon selling front this month and i'm hoping for an upturn anytime soon!

ps-i don't know if you're in a position to take on a part time job, but Tesco's at gatwick are always looking for people?

Seaxwyn

Hi happy chick

Thanks for the message. I've actually had a good month on Amazon, and pretty chuffed with ebay too - sold a painting by my OH for £202!! I've got some more bits to upload tonight.

Thanks for the tip-off about tescos, that is worth knowing. I am lucky to have freelance editing work which I do in the evenings and any spare moment, but my OH often has gaps so I'll send him down to Tescos next time that happens. He's also quite nocturnal by nature, so night shifts would suit him!

I'm itching to get going on the carboot front meanwhile, and am going to check out Horley and Dorking as soon as its a bit warmer.

happy_chick_3

Hi seaxwyn
well done on amazon and with the painting - have to get the OH working on some more! the other good thing about tesco's is - cheap food!

what sort of editing work is it you do? i'm in publishing - ads, not eds, but its similar!

I've got 3 weeks til i'm moving back to redhill - can't say i'm particularly looking forward to it!!!

michpatis

I live in Horley and yes the car booty in Horley is good and does get quite busy but a local friend of mine does car boot sales quite often and she has said that she finds the one in Dorking better purely because people tend to pay a bit more there. She can sell a plate for example in Horley and she said that people will quibble over the price in Horley whereas she can sell a similar thing in Dorking and they will cough up no questions asked! She can go to both booty sales with similar items and usually make more in Dorking.

mommasue_2

:j My favourite large boot sale round here is at the junction of Byers Lane and the A22 in Blindley Heath. It used to be opposite the Blue Anchor further south on A22, so I think it is still called 'Blue Anchor Boot Sale.' Easy to reach from Redhill via Bletchingly, R at Rabies Heath Rd, L at Tilburstow Hill. I think it starts around Easter. Better than the one on Lingfield Racecourse. Lots of stalls in fine weather, good variety.

Possibly the biggest and best is the one at Hook near Epsom on the old Horton Hospital Site. That is huge, but only occasional, Bank Holidays etc. Can't wait for them to start, as buyer and seller! I live near Caterham, will definitely try Horley, thanks for that info!

Seaxwyn

Hi all.

Thanks all for the info. michpatis, you have swung me in favour of Dorking - do you know when it starts again?

Anyone got anything to say about South Park?

Happy Chick I've only just seen your message. Sympathies re the move back to Redhill, I hope you don't get stuck like I have! But I'm excited to know there will be another DFW in the neighbourhood. I'm a freelance writer and editor working mostly in the charity sector. I love the work but I am rubbish at the self-discipline needed for freelancing. Have clocked up just three and a half billable hours today, how rubbish is that?

Carboot pile is getting higher by the day though. Cant wait to go and exchange it for cash (well I hope that is what will happen).

Seaxwyn

6tollgate

Hi, I joined today just to feedback on this subject! I have tried the Dorking site. Make sure that you leave REALLY early if you do this one. We left in plenty of time, waited for 45 minuted and were turned away as they were full. They seem to have regular traders/vans booked and these had priority as it is a small site. So we had a wasted journey. South Park is a big car boot but the punters want a bargain and so you may come away feeling that you could have made more elsewhere. I have done car boots in the past and I feel that ebay has affected the trade, in that you don't sell as much/make as much.
My advice to anyone selling their 2nd hand stuff is as follows:

1st choice - Amazon
If you can't sell it on amazon then ebay,
if you are not sure if it will sell on ebay or there are lots of the same item listed then go for a car boot.

I hope that helps. We have managed to sell quite a lot of stuff in the past 12 months working this way. The kids are delighted!!:j

I would also recommend that if you are selling a games consol, list every item individually on amazon and not as a bundle on ebay. My boys managed to raise enough this way to buy their Xbox, if they had sold on ebay we were looking at £60.:j

It pays to take the time to research what you are selling to find the way that will give you the best return.

Good luck