Car boot sale advice - updated 2013

ModernSlave

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

I've not been to Surrey this season, so my opinions might be out of date. I was selling house clearance using my estate car..

1. Surrey Giant - East Ewell
http://www.carbootjunction.com/car-boot-by-county-listing.php?id=7502
Have not been to this one.

2. Hook Road Arena - Epsom
This I found to be good:
Not on every week.
Too late for this year but it might be possible to cover Sunday and Monday bank holiday without unloading the car.
Some large local authority housing estates to provide plenty of buyers.
Get there early - a queue can develop of sellers cars and space might run out.

3. Apps Court Farm - Walton on Thames
Venue can move about (see my explanation in previous posting).
Very big and well organised - can handle a massive influx of sellers.
BUT as explained in my previous posting you can find yourself selling to relatively rich people - OK we all love a bargain but they tend to buy on quality not price. You bring your junk home again having had the star items bought.

If you have stuff you need to unload (as in house clearance) try

4. Wimbledon dog track car park.
http://www.remotegoat.co.uk/event_view.php?uid=2958
It is on hard standing and it is possible to shelter under the stadium.
Arrive early - can run out of space.
However the pitches are small unless you manage to be creative(ie get a corner pitch - sell off the bonnet as well as the boot - hang stuff on the perimeter wire mesh fencing etc.

5. Hounslow Heath.
0208 8903485 / 07891 265124 / 07990 616738
Decent sized pitch: able to sell from bonnet boot and all along the side of the car.
Nearly got mobbed by setting up the bonnet area as a bargain basement of " ........Don't ask the price everything is [STRIKE]£1[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]50p[/STRIKE] 20p ......" as the sale progressed and I continued to empty the car of the contents of cupboards.
The immigrant community quickly twigged the idea.

Thanks to your advice we went to Apps Court Farm on Sunday and had a lovely, peaceful few hours of trading. We didn't get mobbed and everyone was polite. You're right, the clientel are more well-to-do - they don't like asking prices as much either.

:T:T

lilylola

I've never been to a car boot before, but I have some brand new, never used, good quality hand bags to sell. I was thinking of either putting them on eBay or going to a car boot with them, but I wasn't really sure whether these types of items sell at car boots.

Has anyone seen handbags at car boots before and am I likely to get more than I would do on eBay?

soolin

lilylola wrote: »

I've never been to a car boot before, but I have some brand new, never used, good quality hand bags to sell. I was thinking of either putting them on eBay or going to a car boot with them, but I wasn't really sure whether these types of items sell at car boots.

Has anyone seen handbags at car boots before and am I likely to get more than I would do on eBay?

It depends what you mean by 'good quality' . If you mean designer then I would probably avoid ebay, but if you just mean normal leather or fashion bags then they are unlikely to make more than a pound or two wherever you sell them .

confusedofchingford

At the risk of repeating some previously given advice here is my tuppence worthon car booting.

Be aware of where you put your car keys and phone. I leave my car unlocked and put the keys in glove box where they will be safe.
My phone is usually in the pocket of my roomy trousers, it is so easy to make or receive a call and then put your phone down on your table, trust me it won't be there long!

My aim is to get all my items out on my tables before tarting about displaying them. Once your boxes are empty you won't have the
pushy buyers trying (helpfully, yeah ok) to unpack for you.

Take some paper/cardboard, marker pen and sellotape - when halfway through the morning I set up a corner with items reduced 50p each, 3 for a £1 etc.

If someone has left items with you that they have paid for make sure they absolutely know where your stall is located especially if you are leaving sharpish. The last thing you need is hanging about waiting for a lost buyer to come back. A brightly coloured tablecloth helps.

As the sun moves around adjust your stall accordingly, glass looks much more attractive when glinting in the sunlight.

Keep an eye on your valuable items, I keep mine in the middle where I would normally stand, left at the ends make them easier to disappear!

For summer car boots take hat and sun cream, always take a flask and some food, no point in making money to then spend at the caterers.

Lastly step from behind your table and view your stall out front from a buyer's perspective. My ABSOLUTE HATE is to see a minefield of items on the floor immediately in front of a table. If you must put them in front (try on the side - most pitches have room for this)
at least leave a clear path for potential customers to safely view your items close up.

Hope the above helps.

John_Pierpoint

confusedofchingford wrote: »

If someone has left items with you that they have paid for make sure they absolutely know where your stall is located especially if you are leaving sharpish. The last thing you need is hanging about waiting for a lost buyer to come back. A brightly coloured tablecloth helps.

I've always managed to create a flag pole and then fly something from it.
Anything to try to make one car stand out from all the others.

lilylola

OK thank you. I have some leather bags for sale if anyone wants them.

Maybe we should just give them for Christmas presents.

[Deleted User]

I'm planning a car boot tomorrow at Hounslow Heath, depending on the weather.
Will hopefully post tomorrow with the outcome.

[Deleted User]

Just got back from car boot as posted previous.

Made £23 + float + entrance fee = £43. We were only there about 3 and a half hours though as it started to rain about 10pm so we packed up and got out of there, not bad all round.

Will drop most of the left over junk into a charity shop at some point this week.

Fancy_Nancy

Hi everyone,

A few questions if I may?

I saw at the beginning of this thread (2007) there was a useful rough guide to prices one might expect to obtain at a Boot sale for general household items, ..but as that's 5 years out of date now has there been a more recent one.?

I have a loft full of household items..from out of date but still VGC and still working video recorders, cordless phones, irons, books, suitcases, etc...all things that when we renewed we put the old ones in the loft in case the new ones broke down which they never did...is it worth trying to sell these on a boot sale?

Also I have lots of ladies boots and shoes that are either new or nearly new..what sort of price could I ask for those?

What about a wii-fit, would that sell?,,and little bits of modern furniture (not antique)..oak bedside drawers etc..any idea of a starting price for that type of thing?
I'm sorry for all the questions but it's many many years since I last car booted.

What are the most sought after items for a buyer?

Oh and one more, does anyone know a decent sized car boot to sell at this time of the year (autumn/winter) in Herts and or Essex Borders.

Thank you everyone for any help.

RichyB71

Hi, FN

There's a good carboot on trumpington park and ride site cambridge.

Sundays I think...would have posted you a link but MSE won't allow it

not sure if its still on..but I did two back in August and generated around £300.

Also to answer some of your questions that regard to what will sell. Trust me anything goes at car boots. I have sold suits that have holes in the crutch, empty Iphone boxes, you name it someone will pay money for everything you have. Just don't expect great prices. People have the £1 mentality when shopping.

If you are a good salesman/woman you will do well. Learn to engage with people and have fun. If people are browsing ask them if they have seen anything they like. Don't be afraid to tell them a story about the product, where you bought it, how much for, its features and benefits etc. Its sales and relationship in a car park but achieved from the rear of your vehicle and a cheap decorating table. Best of Luck...

Oh one last thing...try and avoid drinking if you are going alone. And if you do take someone ie don't let them disappear spending your profit on cheap burgers and shocking coffee..or more stuff to replace the stuff you have just sold.