Car boot sale seller tips

TooHotToHoot

I am going to do my first car boot sale in a few weeks and I am looking for any tips.  

I also wondered, now that most purchases seem to be contactless are people using cash to buy stuff at car boots or do they want to pay cashless too? 

soolin

TooHotToHoot said:

I am going to do my first car boot sale in a few weeks and I am looking for any tips.  

I also wondered, now that most purchases seem to be contactless are people using cash to buy stuff at car boots or do they want to pay cashless too? 

I have not done a car boot sale for ages, but even when I used to do them it was becoming quite common to see people with card readers. It was mainly the more professional booters, or those with higher priced goods , th epeople selling stuff at a pound or two rarely took anything other than cash.

However I am well out of date and it may even vary with where you are going.

pbartlett

Be prepared to be swamped when you initially turn up - even to the point of people running alongside your car as you drive in  trying to see what you have on board. Don't sell your best stuff in the first 10 mins for a silly low price.

Grumpelstiltskin

If the regulars realize you are a newbie then they will be like vultures trying to get into your boot to grab anything they think you are going to say 50p when it's worth £20.

Make sure you do know what you are going to charge, label with prices if you can, if you ae not sure what something is worth then check online first but be prepared to charge less than it fetches online, oh and don't let your first customer offer you a £20 note for a 50p purchase, have some change with you but don't let it all go to the first customer, you can always says you will keep it on one side for 30 minutes while they get some change.

messia07

 it's mainly cash at carboot sales, so i would recommend getting some change but you need to be cautious of fake notes. most people including those running the carboots won't touch £20 notes.

most of the of the people at carboots i've met are honest and respectful but you do get thieves and the odd horrible person. personally i would recommend not taking any high end antiques or very expensive items with you or if you do, keep them safe.

there is different types of carboot sales, yes..you get some where the buyers will swarm your car as your setting up, others are well designed and keep the opening time separate for buyers and sellers ( so sellers have a good amount of time to set up, undisturbed), so try and find the best one for you.

also with covid, you might want to wear a mask as there is little to no social distancing.

youth_leader

I agree about the change, people wave tenners at you for a 10p item.  We always used a bum bag for our money, and kept the notes separately.  Do check for foreign coins, we were done a few times, as well as fake notes.

I always used to take a chair, a flask and sandwich, bubble wrap or paper to wrap glass and china, and a textile shower curtain in case it rained.  In the old days I also took plastic bags, but hope people are bringing their own reusables now.

Mgman1965

Also be aware of the buyer who will scoop up an armfull of stuff (usually good quality shoes) ask you how much, whatever you say, will then just stand there clutching it just saying two pounds (or some other insulting offer) to whatever else you say, hoping you'll get fed up of them and just take it to get rid of them.

Saw a seller at a local boot Stert to lose his rag with one of these, and finally told him it's £10 not £2, and if he wanted it, pay up, if not, put it down and let others see it.