Car boot sale advice - updated 2013

Fozzy_Bear_Trooper

Lucifer68 wrote: »

A little word of advice for sellers of CDs/DVDs/console games etc..
I sold a couple of DVDs to someone for £5 each. About 10 minutes later he comes back with the empty DVD boxes claiming the DVDs where not in there, so insisted on a refund. Even though I knew he was lieing I had no choice but to give him his £10 back (& he gets 2 free DVDs minus boxes! :mad: )

So since then whenever someone buys any CDs etc, I make sure I open the box in front of them to prove the discs are in there!

Good point, well made. Also to add it might be worth taking one of those portable DVD players with you so you can play the disc in front of them in case they want proof that it works. I know i have thought "what if it don't work or is scratched", and has put me off from buying it, especially if the case is battered

keelykat

One tip- say no, once something is sold that's that! ive had that trick tried on with me, and my husband basically told them where to go. They should check what they are interested in first, once sold-if somethings not right or up to their standard its tough. I dont do refunds! sounds harsh but they do try and mess you about/gain something for nothing.

keely.

sharnad

Lucifer68 wrote: »

A little word of advice for sellers of CDs/DVDs/console games etc..
I sold a couple of DVDs to someone for £5 each. About 10 minutes later he comes back with the empty DVD boxes claiming the DVDs where not in there, so insisted on a refund. Even though I knew he was lieing I had no choice but to give him his £10 back (& he gets 2 free DVDs minus boxes! :mad: )

So since then whenever someone buys any CDs etc, I make sure I open the box in front of them to prove the discs are in there!

##You could have just told them no

tightwadman

One tip- say no, once something is sold that's that! ive had that trick tried on with me, and my husband basically told them where to go. They should check what they are interested in first, once sold-if somethings not right or up to their standard its tough. I dont do refunds! sounds harsh but they do try and mess you about/gain something for nothing.

Too right - you get some real lowlife at carboots sad to say but that comes with the territory. Put a sign on your table - ALL SALES ARE FINAL and then there can be no doubt. Boot sale buyers are not protected by the Shops legislation. More tricks to watch out - kiddies games bought and then returned as "they want something else", when you check you may well find parts missing. Books bought and then returned and when you check, pages are ripped out esp photographs. You dont need aggro like this - tell them to get lost!

mrsv05

shelovestobuystuff wrote: »

I am thinking of doing a yard/garage sale instead of the car boot sales this year.I wont have to rely on poor hubby to drive me and all my lovely junk around and may well get more sales in during the good weather.Has anyone done this before and if so how does it compare to the car booting experience?

not sure from a sellers point of view but from a buyers i find these better. we live among a large community of americans and they often have yeard sales in the summer and i think it is much better. a lot more relaxed, toilet/drinks etc on tap and more likely to get help from family and friends.

kw03cd

Although I have done a few car boots I never made a lot of money. I find that I can save more by buying from them. Have got quite a lot of new clothing with labels for a couple of ponds and a brand new pair of leather boots for £2.

Buyers beware of the little white sticky labels. I recently bought glass candle sticks and the label was covering a crack. Also bought a new wallet for a few pounds and the sticky label was over embossed initials. Both sellers seemed reasonable people!

potsofmoney_(I_wish)

Might seem a silly question but has anyone ever done it? I don't drive and have been trying to figure out how to get around the lack of wheels. I was thinking of those trolleys on wheels or something like that. Any ideas?

troll3d

My Wife and her friend sold nearly all the rubbish I had accumulated in my garage at car boot saless so now I can park my car in it. The only downside was trying to stop the wife feeling it as quick as she was empting it with other peoples rubbish she had purchased.

Mrs_B

I am about to have a go at my first car boot sale as a Seller. I've decided to choose a smaller one to get an idea of whether I can cope or not.

I have a load of new unused Avon stuff to sell, amongst other things - but any suggestions on prices on anything from perfumes to talcs, body sprays and handcreams?

Found the price suggestions on books and things in an earlier post really helpful.

Anything would be a bonus - think I need to cover a pitch fee of around £6.

harryhound

potsofmoney_(I_wish) wrote: »

Might seem a silly question but has anyone ever done it? I don't drive and have been trying to figure out how to get around the lack of wheels. I was thinking of those trolleys on wheels or something like that. Any ideas?

Obviously it depends on the setting and local communications plus what you are trying to buy. There were several people at Wimbledon dog track, probably of migrant origin, a few years ago carrying off their "booty". It is a bit like cross channel booze cruisers trying to get their swag home - it helps to have a friend with a car prepared to collect you.

I would think a "Sack Barrow", your own empty boxes and bungies might come in useful. Lock it to the railings, while you go round with a back pack initially.