Car boot sale - advice

Road_Hog

soolin wrote: »

Some good points there and worth noting that road-hog is not an ebay fan, hence trying to sell elswehere..

You're not wrong there Soo.

I really dislike ebay buyers, I tend to find them, some of the most unpleasant people that I've come across.

5 years ago, I was a gold powerseller and I just had to kick it into touch. I sold mobile phones and laptops, those buyers were the worst in the world. I'd have buyers moaning that they had bought an item on Friday night (actually they had purchased it at 1:15AM Saturday) and why hadn't they received it on the Bank Holiday Monday.

I recently came back to ebay to seel some of these kits, I probably sold about 40 of them and have a similar quantity to sell. The buyers that paid out a fair few quid, like about £15 to £20 were the nicest buyers. The ones that got stuff for the 99p listing price were the most ignorant.

I had one woman, who got two items at 99p each, with postage at cost of £3.99 small parcel 2nd class recorded and the cost of a Jiffy bag. One item she received, no feedback given, the other item was lost in the post, I lost money on it, because it was actually a large parcel.

When she pm'd me, I refunded her immediately and I did say, that as it was only a 99p sale, I wouldn't be putting a claim in against RM (it isn't worth the time and effort). And I got a neg.

I recently sold some CB radio stuff, advertised on a CB forum. One chap came in person to buy the stuff, stayed for an hour, very pleasant and spent £160. Another guy bought an item for £35 plus postage, transferred the money online immediately and sent me a thank you message, because the item was in such good condition.

By contrast, I find ebayers somewhat rude, I believe ebay encourages this behaviour. But having read the comments in this thread about car booting, I'm not sure that I want to go down this route either.

Now, can anyone advise me on where to sell DC/Marvel comics. I've got about 50 of them, about 25 years old.

Road_Hog

justapoorboy wrote: »

What are you trying to achieve ?
A quick clearout or maximum sales prices ?

The former. The items were given to me, by a relative that was told by his wife, clear the stuff out or else. So it hasn't cost me anything and I'm just looking to get a few quid for it, without any hassle.

Road_Hog

justapoorboy wrote: »

I used to do car boots years ago and did used to enjoy it but not any more - too many vile, pushy people. What really gets me is when they won't take "no" for an answer.

These days if I can't sell it for £5 on Ebay or another auction site it goes to the Charity shop.

On the first point, I suspect that I'd get rather annoyed by that. At 6'2" and built like a brick outhouse, it's probably not the best combination.

On the second point, a local pet charity is looking like a good option. I did some work in a charity shop this year and I know from experience, that Lego, jigsaws (complete and wrapped) and Airfix kits sell within hours and for good money.

Flyonthewall

Road_Hog wrote: »

Now, can anyone advise me on where to sell DC/Marvel comics. I've got about 50 of them, about 25 years old.

It depends on which comics they are. Some are worth quite a bit, especially if they're first editions, don't have any (newer) stickers on and are in really good condition. Do they have plastic cover/sleeves on them?

Aside from ebay, you might do better seeing if you can find a local collector. Either try gumtree and advertise as well as check adverts for wanted comics or google for nearby stores. Any that sell comics and related merchandise (superhero statues, clothing, games etc) may be willing to buy them. Although many will be buying in new comics and other items they'll no doubt have buyers who are collectors and they may be looking for older comics. Do your research first though.

Road_Hog

Flyonthewall wrote: »

It depends on which comics they are. Some are worth quite a bit, especially if they're first editions, don't have any (newer) stickers on and are in really good condition. Do they have plastic cover/sleeves on them?

Yep, they are all in those made to measure sleeves.

I have to laugh, I'm just looking at the cover of one, called Swamp Thing, from Sept. 1988.

I couldn't find the exact cover, but it is similar to this.




It has in the top right hand corner, the following text. Suggested for mature readers.

Flyonthewall

Road_Hog wrote: »

Yep, they are all in those made to measure sleeves.

I have to laugh, I'm just looking at the cover of one, called Swamp Thing, from Sept. 1988.

It has in the top right hand corner, the following text. Suggested for mature readers.

lol

Generally being in sleeves is better. Keeps them in the best condition so you're more likely to be able to sell it even if there's some that aren't really worth much.

Anyway, like I said, gumtree and collectors are probably your best option for them.

If you do a carboot and have other things it might be worth trying to sell them, you may find the odd collector walking around or people looking to sell on ebay in hopes of making more.

hollydays

Are you doing this on your own or with someone else?
I did one on my own a few months back with a 4x 4 car. It's quite high and while I was unpacking someone opened one of the side doors around the other side and stole a tarpauline, without me seeing them..

hollydays

mac666 wrote: »

When i do carboots i pay to go in. Park up the car, lock it and then go get some breakfast. By the time i've done that and gone toilet most of the traders have moved on.

One time i took all my ds Thomas the tank engine collection. I only put a bit of it out. Some trader was trying to get me to sell all i had out for a tenner. I kept saying no he was trying his hardest and i didn't let it go. He hung around to watch what i was doing. A little boy came up with his mum. Bless him he was so excited by the bits i had out. Saying he didn't have this one or that one. I sold the lot including the stuff i had held back to the mum for £10. I knew it was going to a child who would enjoy it not going to be sold on for profit. The man had a face like thunder. I was prepared to take it all back home if i had to.

Exactly what I do. Another trader told me that if she unpacks later people think they're going to get some late bargains.
I have had instances of a child being sent by father to get the item cheaper, or trader wait till I've gone and come back and bought it for a steal from my hubby.. Grr..

hollydays

I would also ask other people what the particular car boot is like. One in a city near me is well known for pick pocketing and thieving . I avoid that for selling, but go only to buy. As for haggling, in some areas that have a lot of ethnic minorities it can be a huge shock to see how rude and aggressive buyers can be in that's how haggling can be in other countries, it's a culture shock,so be warned and keep cool and a smile on your face.i would not take your eyes off a mobile phone for a second, be aware of being distracted ,

Road_Hog

hollydays wrote: »

Are you doing this on your own or with someone else?
I did one on my own a few months back with a 4x 4 car. It's quite high and while I was unpacking someone opened one of the side doors around the other side and stole a tarpauline, without me seeing them..

I'd take the missus with me, just as a nother pair of eyes, but most of the work and selling would be down to me.

I must admit, I've read a couple of threads, one on here and one on a smiliar forum (Rpoints - some years back) and the most common points are, people are rude and want stuff for nothing and if you don't have eyes in the back of your head, then stuff will get nicked.

Also the prices seem to be high,with people saying that £10 is quite normal, then say you factor in £5 fuel to get there and back, plust the cost of a coffie and bacon sarnie, you've got to sell a fair bit (at profit) before you cover your cost.