Had a rubbish bootsale today and was wondering ...

ilovebooks_2

Hi
Had a bootsale today and it was not good. Made my £9.00 pitch money and £9.10 on top and I was freezing. I was only selling books, not suitable for Amazon and I was not selling them too high. I have lots of books but I do not want to sell them as a job lot of ebay as I would not make enough from what I consider to be good quality books. Anyway. I was thinking of having a driveway sale (I don't have a garage) not now but when it gets warmer. I have lots of books, videos, clothes etc, no electrical stuff, household stuff. I planned on having quite a few bootsale but at £9.00 a go if I have 10 then thats £90.00 that the bootsale organisers have in their pocket and not in mine.
My questions are if anyone knows and would be kind enough to give me their views. Would I need council permission? or anyone elses permission?
I would let my neighbours know and ask if they wanted to join in. I have heard lots of horror stories from USA where they have garage sales such as people wanting to use the loo and robbing your house, people stealing, people coming back the next day/ week and demanding their money back because they have changed their minds. So I would be very vigilant and not let anyone in my house
What are your thoughts? Would you have one? Do you think it is a good idea or too much risk? Thanks

eryn_kathleen

I've never heard of any of those things happening at yard sales, but I grew up in a pretty crime-free area of the US.

Getting your neighbours involved is great for several reasons: more variety, more customers, and if someone does want to complain (scary thought!) they won't know where to go to. If they do get involved, though, make sure you have a good system for dealing with money, and ask them to chip in a token amount (£2-5) if you're hosting it in your driveway because you'll have to deal with most of the hassle.

Definitely don't let anyone into your house. That's just weird.

rose_sparky

Don't forget parking facilities. If you live on a road where it's easy to park it's no problem, otherwise you could upset some neighbours.

I did a garden/garage sale many years ago and it was very popular. It was for a school project so maybe it would encourage more people to come and spend if you said a certain percentage was going to a local charity.

badmumof1

where in essex are you and what booty did you do?

im a regular booty and have 2 permanant pitches on a saturday and sunday

Maisie

Don't forget to advertise the yard/driveway sale well.

debt23

Hey, you made £9.10 !!!!

Thats £9.10 more than I earned watching telly all day - well done.

All the best

debt23

Maisie

badmumof1 wrote:

where in essex are you and what booty did you do?

im a regular booty and have 2 permanant pitches on a saturday and sunday

We're on the borders of Essex. Where are your boot sales? We're looking for somewhere different to go. (Just as a looker/buyer).

mattymoo

Do you have children at school? Reason I ask is we have regular community garage sales in our village - 3-4 a year. It is organised by the local PTA. You pay £4 to them to hold the garage sale and they publish a small map with list and location of all the houses taking part.

This map is then sold at the village pub and shop for 50p a time. PTA gets all this money.

We regularly have around 15-20 houses in the village all holding their garage sale on the same day. People travel up to 30 miles to wander round the village.

We made £90 on our last one in January - normally a poor month so soon after xmas. Plus you don't have to load / unload everything in the car.

ilovebooks_2

badmumof1 wrote:

where in essex are you and what booty did you do?

im a regular booty and have 2 permanant pitches on a saturday and sunday

Hi I go to the Willow Farm bootsale in Rainham. They packed us in like sardines so lots of competition but lots of buyers too. Too cold to browse too long I think.
What bootsale(s) do you go to?

ilovebooks_2

mattymoo wrote:

Do you have children at school? Reason I ask is we have regular community garage sales in our village - 3-4 a year. It is organised by the local PTA. You pay £4 to them to hold the garage sale and they publish a small map with list and location of all the houses taking part.

This map is then sold at the village pub and shop for 50p a time. PTA gets all this money.

We regularly have around 15-20 houses in the village all holding their garage sale on the same day. People travel up to 30 miles to wander round the village.

We made £90 on our last one in January - normally a poor month so soon after xmas. Plus you don't have to load / unload everything in the car.

I think this a great idea as the PTA are always trying to raise money out of us and I would happily pay £4.00 for a bit of advertising. Thanks for that idea!

badmumof1

ilovebooks wrote:

Hi I go to the Willow Farm bootsale in Rainham. They packed us in like sardines so lots of competition but lots of buyers too. Too cold to browse too long I think.
What bootsale(s) do you go to?

Sundays Thorney bay, canvey island Pitch money is 7 pounds (currently running)
Saturdays (bit too far for you ) nr highfield holiday park clacton 5 pounds (not started yet though)

Thorney Bay is lovely it gets really busy when the campsite opens for holiday makers PLUS you get loads of islanders and people coming on the island for the booty too