Electrical goods at car boots ?

Brie

I think the thing that would stop a lot of people is not knowing if the item actually works at all.  It's unlikely you will be able to prove it's in working condition (with or without electric shocks) so they've got to take it on trust.

Personally if I was the sort that was interested in antique radios or TVs I might buy something knowing that I might be getting something that is merely decorative.  But a kettle or similar?  No I wouldn't buy one. 

I did give away a toaster on a local site - only because someone's had broken and the shops mostly weren't open and asked if anyone had one and I had a working one with a crack in the plastic side plate.  It saved me a trip to the charity shop.  And I've currently got a cordless vacuum I'm going to try to sell dirt cheap but being battery operated any buyer will be able to test it before they take it away.

TripleH

I've sold a couple of electrical items on ebay. They were both sold as for parts or not working,

The only electrical items I have sold at car boots were a couple of old mobile phones.

The better question would be, would you buy electrical items at a car boot sale and why?

fenwick458

this seems a bit of an odd post to me. assuming they all work, I can't see why you wouldn't sell them, and why people wouldn't buy them at a car boot

the argument that they might be faulty and give someone a shock, is like saying nobody should ever sell a second hand car just in case it later develops a fault, or in case someone has a crash in it.

also if you have an RCD in your consumer unit and you know it works, and all the wiring is ok then you won't have a problem anyway

jamesperrett

I'm not in fear of them I'm wary of them, after what happened with a 6 month old tumble dryer and getting a blue light taxi called when my oh half found me on the floor with a 18 month old in the house and the trips didn't go. Id say im a bit more cautious about electricals. 

I'd be more worried about the wiring in your house than the electrical appliance. If the trip didn't go then you have a big problem. I'm perfectly happy to buy used electrical items and have bought a few bargains at car boot sales and auctions in the past.

ladyholly

The only thing I have to add is to say if buying electrical items at car boots (sorry to go slightly off the question) be very wary I have seen all kinds of electricals  being sold that I know have been rained on. Probably be fine if they are left to dry thoroughly but not if they are still damp.