car boot sale tips

apprentice_tycoon

I have a few hints and tips on car booting for beginners, either as a seller or buyer, we have plenty of experience in both areas.

for sellers......

Make a decision about whether your are pricing up your goods or not, this is a personal decision, I have tried it both ways and can't really say which is best. The one suggestion I do have about this is if you have somethings that you consider to be of value and breakable I would put a price ticket on these items, that way it will deter children and browsers from handling the pieces that are precious, only serious buyers will be interested

Take some refreshments, even if there are catering vans on the site they are often expensive and greasy. On hot days a melon (with a knife and a spoon) is very welcome

Go with another person if possible, this makes everything easier including trips to the loo, if you have lots of stuff it's not a good idea to take many helpers because they will take up valuable space in the car

Pack your car safely, if it's a hatchback or estate you need to make sure that if you brake suddenly you are not going to be hit with flying tricycles etc. We put the folding table on it's edge behind the front seats as a makeshift barrier.

Consider taking a gazebo and sun cream, the sun can be at it's highest when you are packing up to go home, it's not pleasant at all.

Take lots of change (you might need to pay for your pitch as you enter so allow for this) newspaper and carrier bags, something to read, folding chairs, hats and sunglasses, a rug to put things for sale on the ground on.

Think twice about parking up next to a food van, they are noisy, smelly and your potential customers can't get close for the queue.

Watch out for the 'rounding down' technique - example, a buyer picks up several pieces in turn, he negociates £1.00 off each item - let's say you have 3 things at £5.00 each = £15.00 he gets you to agree to £4.00 each = £12.00, then he will offer you £10.00, it's not too far from £12.00 to £10.00 so you agree BUT don't forget you started at £15.00...

When you have agreed a sale don't wrap things up TOO quickly, while you slowly and carefully wrap the item in newspaper they are looking at your other stuff and might see something they missed - it's the only time you have someone at your table that HAS to be there.


for buyers.....

Take lots of carriers bags and small change, there are bound to be sellers who forget them

Feel free to haggle, it's expected, but be fair or you won't feel good about your purchases

Be wary about electrical goods, you can't be certain that they will work.

Always look at things on the ground under the table, no-one else will.

I'm sure that there are lots more pointers that I missed, anyone got any more tips?

Savvy_Sue

Bite your tongue if someone picks up something you are selling because you think it's hideous, and they start cooing "Ooh look at this, isn't it lovely?"

Do not underestimate what you might be able to sell - box of bent floorboard nails, 50p, anyone?

Suncream and sunhat essential for anyone like me: and work out where the sun's going to go and park in the shade if you can! But then, not eveyone burns as quick as I do!

If you're selling to raise money, resist the temptation to browse the other stalls!

Trollydolly_2

As a seller when u first arrive lots of people will try to get into your boot to see what you have got. Its really rude and very annoying but it happens everytime. I always get quite flustered as there are lots of people asking you the price of stuff all at the same time and this is when i find things go "missing".

Sooo now i build a little wall around me with the tables so i can get into the boot but nobody else can.
Then i lock my car and go and browse for half an hour until the crowd has gone. I know its good to have a crowd but i do get there at 5.30am so i think that gives me enough time to sell everything!

Also when i have done carboots with my sister and she has brought her 10 month old baby and two young boys (3 & 7) i stick a sign to the babys car seat saying ........

BABY FOR FREE,

Includes dummy, nappy and her two big brothers!

This usually gets people chuckling and and talking which then helps sell stuff!

telly-addict

If someone is interested in an item and you haven't pre-priced it, I think it is helpful if the seller tells you how much they want for it. The number of disinterested sellers is quite high and their attitude loses my custom! I know they have had an early start but when you decide to do a car boot you have to take this into account!

Take lots of carrier bags for your buyers to take their buys home in.

It is worth checking out the market rate for popular items a week before you go, if you are going to pre-price everything. Some people seem to have a very odd idea of what something is worth, potential customers will walk right by.

Children's (or any) clothes on a rail look a lot more attractive than in a big heap or a bin liner. Somedays I really can't be bothered to search around on the floor for bargains and will only look at clothes on a rail.

Pin together two/three part sets of clothing so they don't get mixed up.

MATH

When we are car booting we have a secret weapon. It's a pair of magic step ladders. No matter how tatty, clapped out, or gross something is if it is placed on the magic step ladders it is guarenteed to be sold in seconds:D Lots of people have wanted to buy the steps but no way am I parting with them - thye have magic powers:D

beachbeth

apprentice_tycoon wrote:

Make a decision about whether your are pricing up your goods or not, this is a personal decision, I have tried it both ways and can't really say which is best.

I must say as a buyer I find it irritating if things aren't priced. I don't like to ask how much something is as I feel as I will then get talked to about what a bargain it is and its in brilliant condition etc. and all I want to do is walk away.

I was amazed at one of our first car boots when we emptied our attic of a load of rubbish (old toys, books etc) all quite dirty and my husband insisted on taking everything. I would say "you can't take THAT!" and then the item would get sold! He stood at his stall cleaning everything with some jif and someone asked how much the jif was!!!

Its so true that you will put something that you think is embarrassingly awful on display and someone will come by and say "Isn't that lovely!" and you have to stop yourself pulling a face!