Car boot sales.

[carrust]

I'm going to do my 1st ever car boot sale next week, as I've had a big clear out!

Any of you more experienced car booters got any tips you can pass on?

[redman41]

Get there as early as possible carrust in order to get a good speck and set yourself up........

[TonyV]

people will want to haggle - so you will have to as well - just make sure both parties are happy

[Quassia]

Look at what you're selling .. what would 'you' be willing to pay for it? .. be prepared for the hagglers. Dress for the weather .. comfy shoes .. flask or cold drink and something to eat .. don't forget your 'float'

[Quassia]

& don't get your nose trapped in the table when your setting it up ... just thought of that lol!!!

[alexanderd]

plenty of carrier bags, plenty of loose change and a winning smile. Set your stall out to attract people and, as others have said, be prepared to haggle

[barb1314]

I've only ever done one but my neighbours do them almost every week. The stories they tell me are so funny. Watch it when you get there as the traders will swarm all over you while you're trying to set up. Prepare to be insulted. If you want a pound,most people will offer you 50p! Be thick skinned and refuse to sell something if they really insult you. Price similar things all the same ie. all clothes or all shoes. It's too complicated to do individual prices for everything. Have lots of change and have fun! My neighbours make about £200 every time. (oh and towards the end people leave lots of stuff behind. My friend goes round picking things up ready to sell at the next one!!!)

[granny grump]

The dealers will be there like flies as soon as you pull up and will start rooting through the boxesbefore you get a chance to unpack - theyreally are a pain and will pay next to nothing for your stuff.
Tell them to clear off or sit tight in the car till they leave - they willnedd to get off as they tend to do all the carboots in the area
Be prepared to take a genuine offer - unless you want to take the stuff home. If you cover the cost of the site anything is a bonus and on a sunny day it is a pleasant way to spen a couple of hours. Take a seat and a drink and a sandwich and enjoy it

[DEN53]

Don't do the boot sale on your own, take a partner. This is handy when setting up, as you will be bombarded with other sellers taking a nosy in the back of your car and stuff tends to go missing. Also when you want to go for a wee, they can look after your stall.

Also, when you park your car and set your table up on one side, make sure you lock the car doors on the other side. Keep your float of money either on you or somewhere safe.

Have fun and make loads of cash. (:o)

[rowanwitch]

Do a big sign saying I will not sell to anyone until set up any dealers who try to dive in the back of your car while you are unpacking should be told to come back later

Sounds petty but stick down or put anything small (and therefore nickable)in a box with a piece of glass or perspex over... and watch like a hawk you'd be surprised how much can go walkies while someone is trying to distract you at the other end of the stall

[DEN53]

Yep, what Rowan has said aswell. You would be surprised how much can get taken from your stall, despite it being priced low. I remember many moons ago when me and Mum did boot sales - a nigerian woman was haggling with me over a brand new pair of my son's trainers for 50p - she kept saying she wanted them for 25p to send to Africa. I refused. Next thing we turned around and she was hot footing it away with the trainers.

My Mum ran after her and rugby tackled her to the floor - she soon gave them back - good old Mum......(:o)

[heathfield]

If someone's offerring you 25p, ask if they'd buy you a pint of beer instead. Well, that's around £3 for a starter! When unpacking, you'll be plagued by those looking for gold and silver. Keep saying loudly, ''No jewellery, no jewellery!''. My wife and I price everything with sticky labels. It makes for a starting point from which to haggle.

[masaca1]

Bring boxing gloves

[boxtops]

Get there very early, make sure you have priced everything up BEFORE you get there, as the dealers will be in your boot before you have opened it. Do take someone with you, it can be a long day and you'll need a break if only for the loo. Don't hold stuff back, put it all out straight away - the person wanting that thing may not be around later on. Take plastic sheets to cover your stuff in case it rains.

[benny3008]

Don't just accept any price anyone offers you, hold your own and don't back down, they will try to barter but they are just testing, I know, I'm one of them! lol

[HarryFindlay]

Depending on where you are, be prepared for an invasion of eastern europeans and pikeys trying to get things for next to nothing, stand your ground, have a price in mind for each item and knock a little off that price, it`s daunting at first but you`ll enjoy it after an hour or so

[granny grump]

Come back and let us know how you go on carrust - good luck

[askyourgran]

I've never done a car-boot carrust so I'm reading your thread looking for tips too. One of the reasons I haven't done one is that I don't know how much to charge for stuff.

[chrissa1]

I Was thinking of having one myself but having read all these posts they sound, scary, dangerous and not really worth all the effort. I mean, asking 50p for a pair of trainers? I'd rather give them to a Charity Shop. It seems a lot of effort to go through for not much gain. I could be wrong though.