Car boot sale newbie - advice / tips please

[onedev]

Just as title says, planning to do a car boot sale soon but never done one before. Have tonnes of baby / small child items (inc clothes, toys etc) & would like to get some money for them. Your hints, tips, advice etc would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[DoItTooJulia]

I'm doing one soon too! I remember doing one years ago where people were literally opening the car doors to rifle through my stuff for sale. Now I take the stuff in small packages and get them out throughout the day. I also lock my car when I first arrive!

I don't price things before I go, can't be arsed, but I will make some card signs, like all books 50 p etc. and I take loads of change and carrier bags.

[SummerLightning]

If it's all kids stuff you could look at children's nearly new sale instead - round here I think you'd have more success and get slightly more cash than at the car boots.

[MissMarplesBloomers]

People love to haggle so be prepared to drop your prices, folks love a bargain!

Take a flask & nibbles so you don't waste money buying stuff there- have you someone who could come & help so if you want a loo break you can have cover? Also more fun if you have someone to chat people watch & be judgey pants with

Sling in a picnic chair or something to sit on once you are set up, hovering while people browse puts them off.

Have you a folding table or trestle? Take a table cloth/old curtain to cover it with -shows off the goods better.

Finally don't be scared to ignore chancers who come hovering as soon as you start unloading,or be firm and say "I have baby clothes & kids toys, pop back in a minute when I'm set up"

I got really snappy with one persistant punter who was really invading my space, told him to shove off & he growled

" yer'll never sell 'owt with that attitude"......thankfully he was wrong & I shifted loads without feeling hassled!!

[onedev]

Thanks guys. I appreciate your advice.

Where do you find out about kids nearly new sales?

I might see if I can rope a friend into doing one too as unfortunately I've no one else to go with me - I'd like my DH to go but with 3 small boys, it'd be too much really!

[MissMarplesBloomers]

Yes get a chum & have adjacent tables much more relaxing to leave the DC's at home!

Kids nearly new sales are often held by the NCT or local churches, ask around or get hold of the parish mag /newsletter.

[umiaisha]

Take a note checking pen (can get these from WH Smith) as counterfeit notes often do the rounds at car boots.

Take plenty of change and be assertive!

[onedev]

Thanks for the tips - I never thought if counterfeit notes!!

[confusedofengland]

Have a look on Facebook to see if there is a Baby items selling page in your area. There is a great one in my area & people sell all sorts of baby items for all sorts of prices! The good thing is that you don't have to leave your home to do it! And you can take photos of nice items & ask a good price for them, and do big bundles of clothes. People tend to want to pay less at car boot, IME.

[SavoyCabbage]

I'm doing a table top baby one next week. I'm wrapping my toys in clear cellophane wrap and then putting the price on with a sticker.

Take spare stickers for prices, sticky tape and change.