Car boot sale advice - updated 2013

Stryder

Oh

Can anyone compare St. Helens, Warrington and Chester Car Boot Sale - or another ones around Warrington/Runcorn area?

Thanks

emerald_starcat

Harry_Flashman wrote: »

We did our first car boot last week in Halifax. It wasn't an unqualified success, but enough to get us going again this weekend.

One question though, why do shady characters tip up first thing and ask if we have any mobile phones? Several did this.

I find this annoying too. Also get people ask if have any jewellery.
It was really funny this morning when the dealers came round. Imagine their greedy little faces when I pulled out a PS3 box and a laptop box. Unfortunately for them these boxes are used for storage for my used paperbacks. Their faces fell as fast as a tart's knickers when I told them what was in the boxes.

John_Pierpoint

Harry_Flashman wrote: »

One question though, why do shady characters tip up first thing and ask if we have any mobile phones? Several did this.

Probably want to give you a quid for something worth a fiver?

(I think I'm right in saying every mobile phone has a unique ID, similar to every internet connection so crooks would want something that cannot be traced to them, I think flipping the sim card would not be as effective.).

QUOTE=emerald_starcat;31740505] get people asking if I have any jewellery.
.[/QUOTE]
Ditto
With gold, silver and platinum riding high. as our currency is likely to suffer further falls in value - there is always a chance of a seller not realising the value of that broken chain etc. etc. (See Hatton Garden Metals thread)

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2084905&highlight=hatton+garden+metals

Dan2012

Im after some advice

Basically im 22, From a small town and have been unemployed for quite a while now.

Im currently on JSA and i get £60 to myself every 2 weeks (pay £40 to live at home)

Can i make a living out of doing carboots? It's just im sick of being on JSA and i dont feel that anytime soon i will be finding a job, So i was wondering if i could become self employed and do this on a regular basis, What do people recon?

Thanks :beer:

John_Pierpoint

You are allowed to do 16 hours work per week?
Most people at a car boot are having a day out that pays them rather than cost them BUT if they factored in the costs of running a car and the opportunity cost of their time, it is probably not viable as a way of life.
That said there are people who build up a loyal following and specialise in a particular trade - they graduate to self employment.
If you can find enough stock and a reasonable sized car two of you should be able to make as much again as your dole money for the week, over a bank holiday weekend.

bluenose1

Did a car boot today and made £180:j, lovely day and loads of sellers and buyers. I haven't done one since last year so I had good stuff to sell.

Sold well
1. PS2 games (going to take PS3 games next time) Sold them for £2 each /3 for £5
2. DVD'S -£2 each / 3 for £5
3. CD's - as above
4. Dr Who/ Power Rangers / Wrestling figures -£1 each
5. Had a kids 3 for a £1 box with cars, dinosaurs, cheap figures that went down well


Not so well
1. Kids clothes - ended up selling Next shorts etc that cost £8 for 30p just to get rid.
2. Shoes -had to reduce them to a £1 to sell, they were all M&s, Next etc
3. Books - couldn't give them away.

Am thinking of doing one next month concentrating on the stuff that sold well. Going to raid the toys and DVD's

Apart from the money the best bit was to get rid of loads of clutter. I didn't even look at any other stalls.

Took all the tips from here re carrier bags, float, bumbag etc -thanks to all who have took time to give tips.

Katy_Perry_fan

We had our first bootfair of the season last Sunday, so we just went as buyers. Was so busy!!! So this Sunday we are going to be selling:D
We have some furniture, DVD's, CD's, toys & clothes. I was going to take a lot of my books but reading bluenose1 message dont think i will take them.
Im hoping to make a bit of money to put by for a car

unhappy_shopper

Does anyone know when the carboot sale at Burnage Rugby Club opens for summer? Thanks.

staggy

Stryder wrote: »

Oh

Can anyone compare St. Helens, Warrington and Chester Car Boot Sale - or another ones around Warrington/Runcorn area?

Thanks

I've only done a few of these (as a seller) but I did Warrington (opposite B&Q) on Sunday and it was good. Another seller told me it was quiet because it was the first one of the year but there was still plenty of buyers right through til about 11am (when it quietened down a lot).

The usual suspects (trying to get stuff for nothing) but we sold several items for around the £5 mark so some people were prepared to be realistic and they were good bargains. Clothes went down really well (particularly decent label stuff - nobody wanted the "George" Tshirts but they clamoured over M&S and Debenhams designers). We also sold a lot of books, kitchen stuff etc. Lots of demand for Kid's toys.

There's lots of traders there as well as carbooters so very much a "market" feel to it rather than a jumble sale.

Weather was good so that helped of course.

Previously I did a couple in St Helens (covered - in a multi storey car park). Good because you're not dependent on the weather but bad because everybody wanted everything for nothing (selling shirts and tops at 50p and people walked away when you wouldn't do 5 for a £1). Plus you run the risk of not getting on if you turn up after about 5am coz the queue is huge and space is limited (a pain if you've spent the previous night loading up and an early start on Sunday - all wasted)

I'd definately recommend Warrington but get there earlier than they tell you. We were told to arrive at 6.30 but when we got there loads of people were already set up. Luckily we got a decent pitch (left hand side through the gate - the other side gets very muddy if the weather has been bad). Guy opposite had been there since 5.30.

Never been to Chester so can't comment.

HTH

whamfanuk

anyone know if the oldcoates carboot in notts is back on?