first car boot

summertreats

Hi I'm doing my first car boot Sunday any advice

This_Year

When you first arrive, don't unpack immediately. Park, and then lock up the car and wait/go for a walk - there's usually a group of people who swarm over new arrivals to confuse them into selling stuff cheaper or even just take it.

One of my friends lost some chairs from her boot like that due to a willing "helper".

Be aware of whats happening, don't go alone and try to keep someone on the customer side of the table.

That said, enjoy the boot sale. I always do!

CouponWoman

Take plenty of carrier bags, people buy more if you give them a carrier bag. (works for me anyway)

Take plenty of notes and change, people will give you a £10 or £20 note for a .50p item and you don't want to lose any sale if you can help it.

Watch out for thieves, they will steal anything if they can. Try and have someone with you to help keep an eye on your stall.

Price your items before you go if you can and be prepared for a bit of haggling.

Don't let anyone take anything out of your car. Put your table out before you unpack and unpack on to the table. Don;t let the dealers behind your table as this is how some of the thieves work.

Sometimes thieves work in pairs, one will ask you awkward questions to distract you, while the other pockets stuff.

Leave anything valueable, ie phones, jewellery in the back of your car until someone wants to see it.

Have a bit of banter with your customers, keep them at your stall as they might see something else that interests them.

Enjoy it, can be a good way of getting rid of your bits and bobs.

Good luck

minigav

They make a beeline when you arrive & will surround your car, no matter how far away you park! Just try to be switched on & if they pressure you take your time & think about what you want for each item. Take food & drinks so you aren't tempted to buy from burger vans etc.Prepare for the weather, so check the forecast & make sure to cover all options. Make a list between now & then with the items you are taking & write next to each item what you would like, then the rock bottom price you would accept.Take it with you & keep going over it until Sunday so it's fresh in your mind. Take plenty of carrier bags & some money especially small change.Finally I would say think if you aren't getting a good price for an item, is it easy to post & would you get more on ebay? Have fun!

porto_bello

summertreats wrote: »

Hi I'm doing my first car boot Sunday any advice

Bearing in mind the regular free listing weekends on eBay, I'd try selling anything you have there first - and give it a few goes.

The eBay market is many times greater than any single boot sale, so your items are both more likely to sell and sell for a greater price via the eBay route.

Having tried the eBay route, the things that are most likely not to sell on eBay will tend to be large, heavy, inexpensive items that cost more to post than they're worth.

... Large, heavy, expensive to post items that won't sell on eBay are exactly the kind of things that are ideal for a car boot and also, they will be difficult to steal by the many thieves who frequent car boots.

In short, you'd probably get more money on eBay and if you take anything valuable, small and portable to a car boot, there's a very good chance it'll disappear!

loveabargain13

Like the other posters have said, wait until your ready to unload car, I put all my stuff in recycling bags and got 1 bag out the boot at a time ( I only do 1 a year )
It's best to have help 2 sets of eyes and an extra pair of hands.
Although we both missed someone stealing brooches off a jacket I was trying to sell.

If you don't want to accept an offer just say no. People always want something for nothing, like 20p!

Enjoy! Getting up at 4.30 is no fun hehehe

ballisticbrian

Look for fake £20 and £10 notes, !!!!!'s nicking stuff off your stall, mobile phones will go missing off your stall especially, a rugby scrum of trades men like vultures when you first arrive, people who will try to knock you down on 20p items, something for nothing people.
My best tip for selling is ENGAGE with people. Some people just sit in the car with the doors shut and glance at their stall every now and then.

teeni

And to look at the positive side as there is one, I do a car boot every other weekend and the result is I have a holiday every summer every year on the proceeds. Make the stall appealing to ensure people want to come look and talk to them about the weather or anything but your items unless they ask a question. Enjoy your day and hope it proves profitable.

EssexGirl

How did it go today?

summertreats

only made £4.75 after paying for the pitch but i didnt really take much stuff however had to pay £16 for the pitch

soolin

summertreats wrote: »

only made £4.75 after paying for the pitch but i didnt really take much stuff however had to pay £16 for the pitch

£16 seems a bit steep for the pitch , our local ones tend to vary between £8-£12 for a car.