car boot sales

[gemmabe]

Am doing one on Sunday for the first time. Am a total novie. Would appreciate any advice. Generally do they provide tables? As I have a helluva lot of stuff!

I am an Avon team leader and hoping to sell some surplus stock and recruit some newbies so I can raise some extra cash for a planned holiday to Egypt next month.

[kipchik]

Any boot sales that i've been too you have to supply your own tables and bits,all they supply is the pitch that you pay to use.

[Buenchico]

As Kipchik says, you'll need to supply your own table. If you've not already got something suitable (and can't borrow a table) then a small investment might be required. By far the most common solution for car-booters requiring cheap, folding tables is the type of table used for pasting wallpaper. These are available for just a few pounds from many DIY stores.

Chris

[SteveD]

Watch (or record) "Car Booty" (BBC1, weekday mornings, 11;30). They sometimes give tips.

[waimarie]

Hi gemmabe, Watch out for the early rush as soon as you get your tables set up (or even while you are doing it !!). These are often other dealers looking to get in for cheap buys and make offers well under your estimates. Don't fall for it and don't get steamrollered into making rash decisions. good luck.

[Wispy68]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Home_and_Garden /Question35839.html

[Cheekystar]

get a mate to be there with you, watch out for dealers at the start, shoo them away, also watch for theives, be confident in what you want for an item, but don't ask too much.

take plastic bags with you, anc changes, keep non sales items away from the boot sale, prepare for all weathers. Items you want a certain amount for price up, cheap items perhaps put in a 50p box, kiddies toys do well near the front !

[nickmo]

Dress for the weather. Thermos of tea. Plenty of small change for the punters. Stick to a price and dont sell for less than you want. Bundle some goods to a '5 for a fiver' thing if you have a lot of the same. Smile - always works. Know about what you have on the stall. Use a water proof table cloth on the table - paste table is fine as above. Go far earlier than you think you should to set up with out rushing. Wear good shoes for the days standing on hard ground. Watch and learn from the obviuos regulars. Keep your money in a bum bag or similar and never leave the table/pitch unattended. Don't leave out m/phones etc. Don't run the car battery down with the radio playing. Carrier bags as above really good idea too (Only �0.70 for 100 in cash and carrys). Make sure there is not the same facility if you are wanting to recruit - may get a little heated 'cos you're poaching! Display stands to lift stuff at the back - box under a car rug for example - raises the stuff in front of the buyer and looks a lot better than just on 1 level on the table. Take your bus. cards as well if you are recruiting.

[smudge]

Good replies on that link too Wispy.

Is it really as long ago as that?!!

[tigerthecat]

I always park and then get out and have a walk round this means the vultures have moved onto some other sucker to rob (it happens) get out your tables and get out one box at a time only. Dont get other stuff out - tell them to come back in a bit when your done unpacking. Take some change in a bum bag dont put it in a box on the table. If its good stuff and the right price you will sell it later so dont panic sell first thing

[scotslass]

i have done a couple mysely, you are best taking your own if you have pasting tables take them and put a cover over them, presentation is everything also try to price items individually with little stickers as some people hate asking prices and then walk away good luck.

[WendyS]

• Take your own table (wallpaper pasting tables are most popular.)


• Take plenty of small change.


• Wear warm clothing.


• Take a large polythene sheet to cover your stuff in case of April showers plus an umbrella.


• Take a flask of coffee, sandwiches and loo paper.


• Take plenty of used polythene bags. Buyers never seem to bring shopping bags with them.


• Put valuable things at the rear of the table nearest you. Shop lifters are always around.


• Don't let dealers harrass you as you're unpacking and don't sell for less than you want to unless you really don't want to take it home again.

[aussiebird23]

Hiya, when my bloke and i do them when we have parked up we always sit in the car for 10 mins and we do not get harassed as much then as we would if we had got straight out, keep your eyes open when unpacking your items my boyf keeps watch and deals with early buyers while i unpack, as i once had a terrible time when they were rummaging through my car and one even went through my bag with my flask of tea in and my personal bits and bobs. Now i keep the doors locked unless i am unpacking. Best of luck with it.

[Hermia]

Take at least two people for security. I had loads of stuff pinched when I did a car boot. I was unpacking and my friend was keeping watch, but her eyes couldn't be everywhere at once. Also think of what you will say to the people who come up with long-winded sob stories because they think they'll get the goods for pennies.