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How to be successful at a car boot sale

ReenaSewraz
by Lovemoney Staff ReenaSewraz on 05 August 2012  |  Comments 11 comments

Increase your takings at car boot sales using these handy tips.

How to be successful at a car boot sale

A car boot sale can be a great way to quickly get rid of lots of unwanted items and have a fun day out during the summer. Most are happy to sell all their wares for 10p and be done with it.

But if you want to take the event more seriously and try and earn a bit more, here are a few tips I've picked up from my own experience.

Sort out the stock

Sort out what you would like to get rid of and identify the items that other people might want to buy. Popular items at a car boot sale include clothes, accessories, kids toys, baby goods, shoes, furniture, ornaments, photo frames,  jewellery, books, CDs and DVDs.

If you have the time dusting, cleaning or even ironing will have a positive impact on the saleability of your goods when it comes to the day. Crinkled or dirty items are unlikely to get a look from passers-by so it is worth putting in a bit of extra effort.

Choose the best pitch

Visit the car boot sale you plan to attend a few weeks before and scope out the area. This will enable you to determine where the greatest footfall is. Usually a good spot is near the food, but also the entrance and exit are prime locations for people traffic.

If you need helping finding your local sale try carbootjunction.com.

Get there early

Get an early start so you can secure the position you think will work best for your goods. You can usually turn up a couple of hours before to set up.

Make sure you give yourself enough time as there are often long queues of cars waiting to get in and secure the best spot.

Prepare a float

I have missed out on countless sales purely because I haven’t had enough change for a £10 or £20 note. Now I usually have about £25-worth of change to bring with me. You can change your money at a bank or in a big supermarket.

Get a small bag you can wear across your body to store this money and ensure none of it is stolen on the day.

Get equipped

Most people hate rummaging so use anything you can to help show off your items better. A collapsible table and some portable, sturdy rails are useful for displaying your wares. I guarantee this will deliver more sales than having items dumped on a plastic sheet or in a cardboard box.

A large mirror is also useful if you are selling clothes and accessories as people like to have a look at what potential purchases will look like.

Pack the car strategically

Put the apparatus you are going to use to display items in an easy to reach area so you can set up quickly. This way you can take advantage of the first trickle of customers while others fumble to get everything together. The biggest volume of sales happen within the first hour so you don't wan't want to spend too much time setting up.

Bring a helping hand

Doubling up can boost sales and you will be quicker setting up. You can both sell your stuff which will mean there will be a variety of stock, making your stall more appealing. Plus you can go halves on the cost of the pitch, which is usually around £10.

Take pride in layout and presentation

Some of the my most successful car boot sales were the result of taking a lot of pride in layout and presentation. Making signs, arranging clothes by colour and organising items into categories just makes it easier for the customer.

If something on display is not generating any interest, try swapping it around for a more eye-catching piece that will get more people visiting your stall.

Be prepared for the weather

Be prepared for the weather with a large plastic covering. This will protect your goods from rain and if you manage to get a transparent one, your items will still be on show.

In my experience regular customers at car boot sales don't let a bit of rain stop them rooting aroung for bargain!

Bring bags for big spenders

Have a stash of carrier bags on hand. This is for shoppers that take a liking to your stall and buy more than one item. This might not necessarily bring in more money but it is just helpful and may produce a repeat customer.

Pull out the charm

People will be drawn to your pitch if you are smiling and welcoming. Show an interest in the customer as it has a big impact on sales. But try not to be overbearing as that will just turn people off.

Price everything

There is perhaps a divide on this subject when it comes to car boot and jumble sales. I am of the opinion that everything should have prices; not everyone passing through will be out to haggle with you. Some people would just like to know how much you want for something.

Also if you are doing the sale with a friend they will be better placed to know how much you want to sell it for, as you may be busy with another customer.

Price realistically...

Most people suggest a price between 10-15% of the original value is a good guideline. I find it is easier to look at something and just imagine what you would be prepared to pay for it now. It’s usually a good indicator.

If something is worth a lot of money don't undervalue it. If it doesn't sell you can always use eBay!

...but be flexible

Car boot sales are notorious grounds for hagglers. Buyers are on the hunt for a great bargain. So try and be flexible with the price. If a lot of buyers are put off by your price tags, rethink your pricing structure and put new prices on. But be firm and polite if you are not willing to accept an offer.

Have fun

A car boot sale is much more fun than uploading items on eBay and waiting for them to sell, especially if you get the chance to do one with a friend or your family in the sunshine.

Enjoy counting up your takings and working out how much of a profit you made in just a couple of hours! I have managed to make £100 in a day with my sister.

Let us know how you do and any more tips in the comment boxes below.

More stories on making money:

Easy ways to make money

How to make money in the evening

Can you make money by blogging?

Can you make money by self-publishing?

How to make money from tourists

Baby businesses: how to make money from kids

 

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Comments (11)

  • Tanni
    Love rating 91
    Tanni said

    One can do well at car boots and markets. You need to scout out the type of customer you want, for example you do not want to be wasting time selling fine china at a car boot sale where the most you'll get is 50p a plate. Better to mark up and place it on eBay. You can however sell literally anything and like eBay people will buy it. Done a few car boots myself and it is jolly fun, I used to clear out the garage/ loft and book a table for a fiver and have plenty of dollars for a good few drinks and a nice meal at the pub! The rest I would spend at the car boot buying more things to clutter my garage at much annoyance of my significant other! Couldn't help it as the stuff was cheap!

    Report on 05 August 2012  |  Love thisLove  2 loves
  • phil2011
    Love rating 3
    phil2011 said

    Re Prepare a float.

    Car boot sales are a fertile ground for scammers to offload fake banknotes. I've been had myself when someone got me to change a £20 note, which subsequently turned out to be a fake, to buy a £3 item....so sellers, beware!

    Report on 05 August 2012  |  Love thisLove  1 love
  • 99sparky
    Love rating 1
    99sparky said

    At our local booty sellers arrive from about 3.30am and if you're there after 6 you'll get a poor pitch. Try and be with someone, as it's easy for items to be stolen and two pairs of eyes are better than one - it's easier for toilet breaks too. As for pricing, some are fixed with stickers but others I adjust these as to who the buyers are - sounds a bit random, but you soon learn to judge that certain types of people will want your £5 item for £1 and will haggle quite aggressively. For these I just put the starting price up - they either move on or offer something nearer to the price I wanted in the first place. Smile and engage people in conversation - nothing puts customers off more than a miserable face, sellers more interested in texting than selling, or sitting in the car. Above all have fun and enjoy making space at home and pocketing some cash!

    Report on 05 August 2012  |  Love thisLove  1 love
  • electricblue
    Love rating 643
    electricblue said

    Not all car boot sales require an absurdly early start so check out a venue which suits you. Most of the early bird customers are either traders or skinflint pains in the rear with nothing in their lives other than to inflict themselves on some poor seller. I've been selling for a couple of years now and there is a lot of merit to trying to be a regular and reserving a pitch. I've noticed a change in the attitude of a lot of Eastern European customers whose haggling and aggression was pretty wearing, but these days they seem to be very British and don't make the insulting offers for clearly marked items.

    A pitch near the exit is NOT necessarily a good idea. If there are a lot of sellers your customers will have spent up and have their arms full.

    I don't really sell to make money these days and don't really need the income, such as it is, but getting to meet interesting and varies types of people and being in tune with the weather has been a fantastic experience.

    Report on 05 August 2012  |  Love thisLove  2 loves
  • roscoeian
    Love rating 4
    roscoeian said

    I find that playing quality music, not too loud, on my car radio helps. I use Classic FM.

    Report on 05 August 2012  |  Love thisLove  1 love
  • Tanni
    Love rating 91
    Tanni said

    Having a good patch, pitch is very important as your custom depends on foot flow; number of people walking past your stall.

    Also take a mate/partner or one of the kids with you as you work more effectively as a team. One can send the other for the tea, sandwiches etc and can have toilet breaks rather than stand their all crossed eye and grumpy.

    Shoplifters, pickpockets are a plenty in these kind of relaxed envirnments so keep your wits about you and check the notes, coins as plenty of fakes about.

    Try to be jolly and happy. Most customers will come back to you again and again if you have a good chat and a giggle with them.have a bit of banter with fellow sellers and learn of where to source cheap booty items.

    Do not get offended by persons offering pennies where you ask pounds; haggling goes with the territory so chin up and smile it off.

    Also remember that honesty is the best policy, so be transparent with your descriptions. You do not want to get a reputation as dodgy Harry the car booter.

    Follow the above basics and you will do well.

    Good luck

    Report on 05 August 2012  |  Love thisLove  1 love
  • hopefultom
    Love rating 43
    hopefultom said

    I have been both buyer & seller many times over during the last 30 years, and the thing that puts me off, as a buyer, is the person(s) who sit & stare at you whilst you browse.

    I know there are plenty of thieves about, but there are discreet ways to keep an eye on your interests.

    Having a chat & a laugh is a great way to help make the most from your pitch. Also if you have a decently trained dog, take it with you. It is guaranteed to attact attention.

    Like electricblue, I have not made much of a profit the last few times I have had a pitch, and like Tammi I end up spending some of it at the other pitches, but it's a great experience.

    Report on 05 August 2012  |  Love thisLove  0 loves
  • Mike10613
    Love rating 599
    Mike10613 said

    One of the biggest problems is getting stock to do it frequently. You can ask around and a good source is people who are trying to clear a house after a bereavement, but do be tactful. The most important advice mentioned was marking prices, many people won't ask what the price is and no prices can be so annoying many customers won't even approach the stall. Remember supply and demand. The more customers there are the greater the demand, generally speaking. If you are selling something no one else has and it's in demand, you have cornered the market!

    Report on 05 August 2012  |  Love thisLove  0 loves
  • electricblue
    Love rating 643
    electricblue said

    Of course be offended when people offer pennies. I don't accept any haggling or offers but my prices are fair on items which are generally never seen at car boot sales. I mostly sell electronic components and the types of 'gizmos' which hobbyists love and I will happily give items away to children who are wanting to try and get into electronics as a hobby but can't afford the thievery of Maplin and similar retailers. As hopefultom mentioned, dogs seem to attract a massive amount of attention, as do babies or exceptionally attractive 'assistants', be they significant others or teenage daughters.

    Report on 05 August 2012  |  Love thisLove  0 loves
  • PDB11
    Love rating 72
    PDB11 said

    I used to frequent a secondhand bookshop, alas now gone. The proprietor had anarrangement with a car booter whereby he'd make up boxes of old stock, or books he got in job lots and didn't want, and sell them to the car booter for a few quid a box.

    If you're going to do car boots regularly, find a secondhand bookshop (yes, that's the difficult bit!) and see if they'll make a similar deal. A box or two of books on a stall will often bring people over to look at the other stuff.

    Report on 06 August 2012  |  Love thisLove  0 loves
  • Lisabob
    Love rating 0
    Lisabob said

    Carboot's are a fantastic way top make some extra cash, but with all the rain we have had so far this year it has been hard as they have mostly been called off - here is a great way to have a carboot without leaving the house http://www.adsere.com/blog/2012/06/carboot-in-the-rain/ :)

    Report on 06 August 2012  |  Love thisLove  0 loves

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