Car Boot Sales

LSainsbury · 04-05-2008, 18:05

Evening,

Anybody here go to car boot sales?

We are planning to go to one shortly as sellers so anybody here got any tips etc?

Cheers

Lee

Marge · 04-05-2008, 18:17

Get a big foldable table that will fit in your car so you can set all your wares out on it. Make up a little float, plenty of change as people often have notes especially first thing in the morning. Take something to eat and drink as it can be a long morning especially if business is a bit slow. Take old carrier bags which means you get rid of them and the buyers can take their bargains away. Be prepared to bargain as people never want to pay the price you say you want

and last but not least, the most important thing! Don't let people open your boot for you and start routing in your stuff as we found out when we did our first carboot. We pulled up and my sister released the boot catch, big mistake. By the time we got out of the car there was about 5-6 people ferreting about in the bags

God knows if they nicked stuff as it was quite chaotic

Anyway, have a good time and enjoy it, we made about £100 after taking off the expenses and had a good laugh

LSainsbury · 04-05-2008, 18:35

Thanks for the advice!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marge

Don't let people open your boot for you and start routing in your stuff as we found out when we did our first carboot. We pulled up and my sister released the boot catch, big mistake. By the time we got out of the car there was about 5-6 people ferreting about in the bags...

Do they really do that? The cheeky beggars!!

I'd have to say something if they tried that with me!

I see that some boots' start letting sellers in at 6am and punters from 8am - are you saying that the people who are basically scavenging are also sellers who might try and re-sell my gear?

Cheers

Lee

Halcyon · 04-05-2008, 19:12

As others have said pack a big table, a wallpaper pasting table is normally good as it folds up and is quite long.
A big ground sheet is also worth taking for items that don't fit on the table.

Get there early so you can set up. Arriving late means you don't get the best spot and you also have to try and setup in the middle of stalls and people. A nightmare. So arrive early.

As Marge mentioned make sure no one gets in your boot before you are ready to sell.
Whilst you are setting up it's often other dealers that will be jumping on you to get something they can resell later. They take advatage of you setting up and not focussing on prices and letting them walk away with something good for cheap.
So be strong and say "I'm not open for selling as yet".

Apart from that, it's a load of fun.

maddyp · 04-05-2008, 23:33

get some sticky lables and price everything up the night before, people do jump on you as soon as you arrive so if the labels are stuck on the job is half done.

Also orange trays can be good to use so you can lay the goods out in them and price them up then put them in your boot - even transferring them from the boot to the table still in the orange tray - saving time.

joglynne · 04-05-2008, 23:33

If you do go early to get a good pitch just put up your table and then sit and have a coffee whilst some more cars arrive around you. When you see half a dozen or so starting to set up that is the time to start putting out your gear. Not being the only one setting up will give you some breathing space from the dealers who can descend like a pack of wolves on new faces.

LSainsbury · 05-05-2008, 06:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by maddyp

get some sticky lables and price everything up the night before, people do jump on you as soon as you arrive so if the labels are stuck on the job is half done.

Also orange trays can be good to use so you can lay the goods out in them and price them up then put them in your boot - even transferring them from the boot to the table still in the orange tray - saving time.

Orange trays?

Nidge · 05-05-2008, 07:51

Like whats been mentioned beware of the dealers who are regulars at car boot sales, when I did my first one many years ago I pulled up and before I go out of the car I was surrounded by booters who stood there week after week, they kept asking me how much for this and I'll give you so much for this?

When I did my clear out I made £170 after pitch fees which was £7, you will have a laugh while you are there and you'll get the bug to do more.

Good luck I hope you make a few £££££££.

LSainsbury · 05-05-2008, 08:33

Thank Nidge.

With regards to pricing stuff up before, I've read that makes you stand out as a first timer and not able to haggle correctly.

Personally I'd rather price it up before I go - at least that way we know roughly what we want to sell the item for regardless!

Halcyon · 05-05-2008, 10:07

I think it's good to price things up on a piece of paper for you the seller to know how much you want to sell things for and also incase you go off and leave a family member on the stall. That way they won't let that expensive gold plated plate go for 50p.

During the day you might want to just get rid of everything as you don't want it to go home with you so you'l take the prices down or ask how much are they willing to give you.

Price up expensive items but smaller items, I wouldnt bother.

PS, it's a good idea to do boxes too. So a box labelled, everything in here 50p.

Taf · 05-05-2008, 10:30

Beware of the early buyers who offer "£XX the lot"... as they have probably spotted something worth a damned sight more than that... antiques agents often lurk searching for bargains they can resell at auction.

Label switchers are common too... and people that move stuff from the £1 box to the 50p box...

The Hitman · 05-05-2008, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halcyon

I think it's good to price things up on a piece of paper for you the seller to know how much you want to sell things for and also incase you go off and leave a family member on the stall. That way they won't let that expensive gold plated plate go for 50p.

During the day you might want to just get rid of everything as you don't want it to go home with you so you'l take the prices down or ask how much are they willing to give you.

Price up expensive items but smaller items, I wouldnt bother.

PS, it's a good idea to do boxes too. So a box labelled, everything in here 50p.

I'll give u £3 for the box.Take it or leave it

Halcyon · 05-05-2008, 10:42

I've seen a right bunch of people at car boot sales. There are people who will chat to you and be nice, kids that will start playing with your stall and you just want to tell their parents to take them away and on a few occasions people who have haggled at a price that was only 10p !

"5p, not 10p, please 5p"

No chance !

tweetypie/8 · 05-05-2008, 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

Evening,

Anybody here go to car boot sales?

We are planning to go to one shortly as sellers so anybody here got any tips etc?

Cheers

Lee

charge plenty !!.

paulpcwindows · 05-05-2008, 23:26

hi evening guys.. i have just joined. and about car boot sales. i find a lot of stuff is either stolen, or tat.. good bargains are few and far inbetween. in my opinion, always the same sellers, tradesmen ect... have to be very early for the bargains...