what are your top tips for doing a boot sale?

[hereidrawtheline]

We have loads of stuff to shift, and I am thinking of doing a boot sale this weekend to help raise some money. Sadly we have a lot of clothes, young boys/baby and some adult sizes as well. Lots of other random stuff too though, and a couple of bigger things to bring along like the old mamas & papas buggy and maybe DS's old Smoby car etc.

What are your very best tips & advice for doing it? We have done them before but the last couple werent successful at all and I really want to come home with a lot less!

Also any ideas for how to do it with a toddler? I mean, I dread the idea of waking him at 5 am!

[hereidrawtheline]

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[GrinnyPig]

I haven't done many but I'd say if you can hang the clothes up that will help. Group the baby stuff into piles eg tops, trousers, babygros etc. If you've got a tarpaulin or plastic sheet put all the toys on that so people can see them. Don't price things just have an idea what you want for it. People will bargain.
"how much is that?"
"10p"
"would you take 5p?"

Be prepared to dramatically lower asking prices towards the end.
Can anyone look after your toddler while you do the sale? I think it would be very hard with a toddler in tow.

[Picante]

Yes definitely try and hang the clothes up - I always think clothes lying on the floor look really naff. Take plenty of carrier bags and loose change. Count your kitty before you start then you'll know how much money you've made.

[hereidrawtheline]

No we dont have anyone who could watch DS for us, and I dont drive, so its either we all go or DH does it alone which I dont think is good.

Having said that DS adores boot sales so I think being there with him would be ok actually but getting him there at 5 am not so sure!

Thank you for the tips!

[heronsfly]

I would say price everything,maybe not each item,but piles saying 50p £1 ect, I hate having to ask prices and will often walk away if items are not priced.

[CherryChoc]

Are the only ones near you starting that early? Could you not pack up the car the night before, get everything ready and then bundle DS into the car at the last minute and give him breakfast when you get there?

[hereidrawtheline]

I am going to find out what time the one we want to do starts but in the past we have found they start obscenely early. You are right about packing the car the night before, that's a good idea.