So I am going to car boot this weekend...

[Paintyourbox]

I have been on a manic de-cluttering spree as I want the house sorted for when I go back to work in January.

The utility room is now full of boxes of crap stuff that I am going to car boot this weekend.

It's mainly DVDs, books, clothes and some kitchen bits (we had 3 cheese boards. 2 of which were still in their boxes!). I also have quite a bit of silver jewellery which I have bought little organza gift bags for so hopefully people will buy them as Xmas gifts.

I wanted to ask a) What sort of prices do you think are acceptable for books/DVDs b) Do you price things before you go or let people make you offers?

Thanks in advance!

[ChippingInLovesAutumn]

I went to a car boot a couple of weekends ago, I haven't been to one in years! Most of the DVD's books were either 50p or a £1 - or say 3 for a £1, all very very cheap.

I think it's much better to price it so that people can see how much you want, they will then 'haggle' if they aren't prepared to pay that, most car boot goers seem pretty, errr... bold

You might be better to eBay the jewellery etc?? Or at least try to sell it at the car boot for what you want to get it for and keep ebay as a back up if it doesn't sell - unless of course you're happy to let it go for a quid or two.

Where abouts do you live that car boots are still running? They all seem to have stopped around here now, just when I need to get something that I can probably only get at a CB! LOL

[Paintyourbox]

I am in North Yorks, our local boot sale offers indoor pitches too so they can go all year round! What are you looking for my prices are very reasonable

[HappyJoyful]

Firstly I would say good luck! Myself and a friend did a couple of car boots earlier in the year at popular big and busy sales and it was hard going.. ultimately people wanted something for nothing.

Secondly, I wouldn't waste your time pricing things up, we had a couple of decent items that we weren't prepared to let go at nothing (knew that they were worth what we were asking), but other than that be prepared to say that something is a fiver and the person will say 'I'll give you £2'. If you want to take a couple of quid for it than do so, but otherwise don't be surprised if it doesn't sell.

We tried to go on the basis of what something would cost in a charity shop - but in the end (as were ever one else around us) we were struggling to get rid of DVD's - £1, books 20p.

Clothes wise, make sure you have a clothes rail to display, we did find this helped, however, again, I'm afraid to say - people literally had rails and rails of decent stuff and it was a case of £1 an item.

Sorry if I sound like a doom monger, just think don't expect to make a mint but good luck of course and fingers crossed it's a nice day too. In the end, as we told ourselves anything is better than nothing and it did feel good to de-clutter.

[HappyJoyful]

x posted. Paintyourbox. Do have a look in your local newspaper - I'm in Buckinghamshire and know of at least two big outdoor ones that seem to be running till at least this weekend.

[Paintyourbox]

Happy I take on board what you are saying- you are definitely right! What I have decided is that I will decide on the lowest price I would be willing to accept for an item and if people are really cheeky with offers I will donate it to charity instead- would rather it goes to a good cause.

I have been ebaying clothes etc, most stuff is going for 99p so prepared for low prices. The main thought behind the boot sale is that a few hours effort will prob be easier than photographing it all, putting it on eBay, parcelling it all up and hiking to the post office etc!

[ChippingInLovesAutumn]

Yeah, it's definitely easier than ebaying it all if you are prepared to see your things go for pennies. I'd rather donate it to charity myself and hope it finds a good home

You are too far away from me to make it practical, even if you had what I need (too big to send, too costly for a courier) - unfortunately.

[ChippingInLovesAutumn]

Happy, I'll have a look in my local paper :)

[HappyJoyful]

My friend and I set our 'standards' as we wouldn't accept 20p for anything, if we said 50p then we stuck to it. Also, like you say, think of what the lowest you think it's worth is and stick to it too. As you say, I also felt I'd rather donate to a charity shop then give it away.

I confess though I'm a bit like chipping and was a bit 'sentimental' about things and I couldn't help but sort of like genuine 'cheeky' people or someone I felt would give the item a good home rather than someone who was simply taking the piss. For instance, an old lady looking at a coat that she loved - I couldn't help but want to give it to her for pennies rather than pounds and the young girl clearly counting out all her pocket money to buy some roller blades.

Ohh, last tip - we had a couple of items that were 'eye catching' / 'talking pieces' (some limited edition boxed brand new trainers and a vintage handbag) and we got offers on them early however, didn't cave in and didn't sell in the end as we felt that they made people come to the 'table' (if we'd got a pound for everyone that looked at them I think we would have trebled our takings!) and we knew they were worth more than people were offering) if you have anything like that do put them in a good position in the middle of table.

[ChippingInLovesAutumn]

Unless you know there's a good food/tea van there - take your own!! The one we went to the other week (The one by Moss End Garden centre) it was vile coffee, I have never tasted anything so evil trying to pass itself off as coffee! [Moss End Garden centre coffee is fine].

[Paintyourbox]

Thermos looked out, going to make sandwiches and we now have a table. Thing we are just about ready!

Now all we need to do is hope the weather is good!

[HappyJoyful]

How did you get on ?

[Paintyourbox]

Hi all,

I can thoroughly recommend car boot sales, we made the crazy total of £295.60!

We mainly sold books, dvd's and jewellery. The books and DVDs went for £1 each, we sold lots of silver (checked the scrap price beforehand to ensure we got a good price) and, surprisingly, lots of costume jewellery which was one of the most popular items!

[bel123]

Hi
We've struggled to make anything like that at car boots. May I ask which one you went to please?
Can anyone recommend one for baby clothes and toys?
thanks!

[Trills]

She went to that car boot sale FIVE YEARS AGO. And could be very far away from you.

If you want advice on which to go to, you might do better to start a new thread with a title like "Car Boot Sales in MyTown"

[MargotLovedTom1]

The poster did the car boot sale five years ago .

[MargotLovedTom1]

X post.