Ebay v Car Boot Sales

Mupeteer

Any advice?

I've had a massive clear out and collected together a lot of stuff that I could sell - clothes, books, ornaments, CDs, some electrical stuff, toys etc. What is the best way to sell these things. Should I go have a car boot sale (never done one before and have no idea about pricing) or should I put it all on ebay?

Any opinions gratefully received.

peteuk

I see them as equal, they are equally as likely to sell or not.

With a car boot you pay a one off payment for the Pitch (usually around a £5) with ebay they charge you a listing fee and then take a slice of the final cost..... So in my book that 1-0 to car boot.

Car boots are usually outside (unless your got a great site which is indoor) Ebay is from the comfort of your home, no early start, dodgy weather ect....

1 -1

Car boots items are sold there and then, no hassel of waiting for payment, postage and then taking the items to the post office. All you need to worry about is putting it in a bag and having change (if required).... 2-1 Car boot.

As for price, items can be put on ebay with a set starting price, the sale lasts longer so if you get 2 or 3 people who want it it will put the price up. Car boots, people tend to try and get it at a lower price, and you dont get the two people bidding for it. 2-2

Its probably personal choice, car boots are less hasel, just load the car drive and sell. You just need to be prepared to bring a few bits back. How about doing a car boot, and what you dont sell pop it on ebay......

Pete

millionaire_in_training

I absolutely hated my last car boot. It was pouring with rain and I ended up only getting a few pounds whereas I have sold hundreds of pounds worth of stuff on e-bay from the comfort of my home. Going to the post office is a pain and you can get embarrassed standing with loads of parcels and holding the q up but your choice x

James&Shell

Id go for the car boot as i hate ebay i sold my car on there earlier in the year and there was nothing wrong with it at all.

I kept getting threatening emails and phone calls from the buyer telling me it broke down when he was travelling home and it was my fault.

Never again.

immoral_angeluk

Ebay for me... never been to a car boot but have made easily £1000 in the past year from ebay.

skint_spice

I think it depends...I've made a fair bit on ebay for things like kids books (educational type) that wouldn't have sold at car boot or would have sold for about 50p. but at a car boot I've sold things like toy cars and stuff (not vintage) that noone would have been willing to pay postage on through ebay. some carboots also sell kids clothes really well but not here so those go on ebay.
Like others say the getting up early in the rain isn't fun either but it does get it all over in one go!

sharnad

I prefer car boot costs you %-10 but you usually make around a £100
Nice to barter with people but if you dont want to let it go for a certain price you dont
Once its gone, its gone and there are no disputes to worry about
No worry about wrapping and posting and hoping you have the postage costs right
You can sell loads of stuff at a car boot that people wont normally buy - its much easier getting people to think they want something when its there in front of them
You can also have a look around and get yourself bargains before the other buyers get there

dsljfreeman

you can get more money for your items on ebay than at a carboot, I found that at a carboot people really wanted to cut the price, books and toys are the best items to sell on ebay.

I would suggest putting the items on ebay and if they dont sell then car boot them, also before you list the items, search for your item on ebay and find out what price other sellers are listing them for then just shave off a few pence or so - well thats my trick anyway.

I've found that popular authors and reference books sell really well on ebay, I've listed lots of cook books and pregnancy books on there and they have plenty of interest on them.

xx

bellsbells

How about this as a compromise? Over the winter try selling stuff on ebay, then come spring next year when car boot season really kicks off have a go doing one with whatever is left.
I suppose that idea only works if:
a) You have the space to store all your stuff
b) you are willing to mess around with both systems
c) you don't need the money immediately

good luck whatever you decide and I hope you make lots of cash!:j

luxor4t

I sell clothes, shoes, jewellery, books etc that are in excellent condition on E-bay - I search to make sure I can get a fair price.
Older things like household items, ornaments, small furniture etc get a trip to the car boot sale because I know that I want to get rid of them quickly and as long as I make some money I am happy.
Last carboot sale we took £29.50 after the £10 cost, but got rid of lots of things we didn't need any more. We had a morning out in the fresh air, and gained £29.50 plus a lot of space.
I do make more on e-bay, but by doing a carboot sale twice a year I feel we are maximising our chances of making money from our junk!