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Car boot advice
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jon81uk said:IftiBashir said:wirdy said:We always put out the slower-selling junk first & keep the choice items inside a box in the car until about an hour after setting up. By that time, the vultures have tutted & grunted at the meagre offerings for sale and cleared off to bother some other poor sap. Your choice items (tools, electronics, watches, electrical) WILL sell at a good price later on (quality will always sell) when you're not stressed out during the initial unpacking /setting up. This strategy has worked over multiple boot sales over the past 10 yrs.
Never sold at a boot sale myself, but I thought it would be the other way round. Those who are genuinely more interested in purchasing would get there early to ensure they had first dibs at everything that's available before it sells. Those who are just browsing and not too bothered would come later in the day, when the 'good stuff' has already sold, to get last pickings and better bargains (from sellers who just want to shift stuff rather then take it back).
Then again, you've much more experience then me so whatever works!
The last few times I went I would put the box of ‘good’ things in the passenger seat or under the other boxes, I’d get one box out at a time re lock the car, unpack it, then get a second box. It was very time consuming but it was the only way to cope, then once the car was unloaded properly I’d get the good stuff out so I could physically stand and watch it.It is not uncommon to see something you sold in the first melee for £1 being sold on a neighbouring stall later for £10!I don’t think I’ll do them again except to help out friends who want a second pair of hands on the stall. I either put mixed boxes up on marketplace , or just charity shop things.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.3 -
jon81uk said:The vultures that are around earlier are other stallholders who are looking for people who don't know the value of an item and are hoping to get something cheap they can resell for a profit. Even if you know the value they would want to haggle down, whereas the public are more likely to offer a fair price as they aren't trying to resell.
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An important point - if at all possible, DON'T come alone. Bring a friend or reluctant family member with you. I've had stuff stolen from my stall because I was busy talking to one person and didn't notice someone behind them picking things up. So one person can be serving customers while the other one keeps an eye on the stand,0
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This thread was started in April 2022 and the OP last logged on to MSE in December 2023.
Useful generic advice though.0 -
Start saving any coins and low notes now - it takes ages to collect enough to make a decent amount to start with and you will need to give change att some point.
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This thread was started in April 2022 and the OP last logged on to MSE in December 2023.
Useful generic advice though.
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As a car boot sale ' buyer ' I find it impossible when sellers put their stuff on the ground in front of the table . This means I can't reach the table to look at anything . I also hate books jumbled in boxes without the titles visible & CDs where you can't see the titles !0
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kimp22 said:Hi all I am planning on do a car boot to try get rid of extra stuff and try make some money to put on my energy bills. Any advice for me it will be my first and haven't really got a clue.
I have a plastic paste table and big enough car to fit abit in.
Kim0 -
rab1047 said:kimp22 said:Hi all I am planning on do a car boot to try get rid of extra stuff and try make some money to put on my energy bills. Any advice for me it will be my first and haven't really got a clue.
I have a plastic paste table and big enough car to fit abit in.
KimPollycat said:This thread was started in April 2022 and the OP last logged on to MSE in December 2023.
Useful generic advice though.0 -
There are some excellent, evergreen tips here that can benefit all future visitors to the thread. Let's keep it going. 🚗🚙0
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