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Original poster

First Car Boot tomorrow. Any tips or advice?

26 replies

Plastictattoo · 04/05/2019 18:31

Doing first car boot at a small car park in our local town. Its only a small one, approx 30 cars. Mainly selling books, DVDs and toys/ games. Looking for any advice for a first timer! Thanks

OP posts:
blitzen · 04/05/2019 18:35

I've done a couple in the past and felt haggled to death. If you ask for 50p people will try to give you 10p. I also felt quite intimidated by some people especially re jewellery (clearly dealers). My tip would be to be really clear on what you'll be happy to accept as payment and start at double!

Original poster
Plastictattoo · 04/05/2019 18:39

Is it worth pricing things then or will people just ignore that?!

OP posts:
Propertywoes · 04/05/2019 18:40

You can just put price stickers on everything and refuse to haggle if you're not comfortable with doing it. I would make sure you price things realistically because it's better have a little bit of money in hand than it is to take something home that you don't want anymore.

Original poster
Plastictattoo · 04/05/2019 18:47

I was thinking 25p a book or 5 for a £1. 50p per DVD. And games £2-3. Basically pocket money prices.
We are taking a XBox 360 with controllers and approx 10 games. Any ideas on a price for that?
Thanks for advice so far

OP posts:
Shelbybear · 04/05/2019 19:00

Good luck! My friend did one when she was moving house and she said never again! She did make about £80, she said folk were offering silly money for decent stuff. She said it was an experience and one she shall not be repeating 😂

Someone asked about a vase she said £8, lady said no too much. She then comes up to her poking her in the chest and irrate going ur husband just sold that vase to someone else for £5. She was like oh well lol.

Look on Facebook or buying sites to see what you should be able to get for the Xbox. Don't under sell it. If no one buys it, out it in gumtree etc and get the going price for it.

Let us know how u get on.

BackforGood · 04/05/2019 19:20

I think what you have to decide is "Do I only want to take what it is worth?" or "If I don't sell this, am I going to try again and sell it next week / month / next sale - ie hold out for more money - or will I end up taking stuff to the tip because I need the space".

I think it is good to price stuff- not individually, but like you say, a note saying 'All books 30p or 5 for a £1" and take with you some pens and more card to be able to reduce if you want to.

pp is right about some people wanting to haggle come what may.

BertieBotts · 04/05/2019 19:24

Various XBox prices in CEX, try to match the model - I'd go a bit lower, but defo higher than the price they buy in for cash. Discounted means not mint condition, ignore the boxed/unboxed as they refer to mint condition.

uk.webuy.com/search/?categoryIds=783&categoryName=xbox-360-consoles

tanpestryfirescreen · 04/05/2019 19:27

I always price in advance. Don't sell the xbox too cheaply as the first people will try and get it for a bargain.

I do books 50p each of 3 for a £1 and usually sell most of them

Original poster
Plastictattoo · 04/05/2019 19:58

Cheers for the advice. I am nervous as I've got the kids with me.

OP posts:
Ronsters · 04/05/2019 21:50

Be prepared for people checking out your stuff and trying to haggle you down, even as you setting up. There tends to be a few hard core car booters/dealers hanging around first thing. I found these a nuisance, but not too bad.

I did a few boot sales and found it be ok. Some people try to beat you down on price but most were fine. I found that books/dvds are 10 a penny , so set a price of about 30p each/4 for £1.00.

I dropped my prices for some stuff I wanted rid of, especially near the end of the day, or if it wasn't a ludicrous offer. I also took a wallpaper pasting table to lay out my "wares", lots of snacks and flasks of tea.

Don't take any shit with "premium" items. I had a guy keep trying to haggle me down on a new, unused electric drill I was selling, telling me he could buy one brand new for the same price in B&Q, (he couldn't), I told him to go to B&Q then. Someone bought it later, I knocked a couple of pounds off, but wasn't giving it away like the first guy wanted.

Most people were ok and just like a bargain, no one was really pushy or unpleasant, not even power tool man.

babysharkah · 04/05/2019 21:52

Watch out for people trying to knock stuff as you unload, keep your money in a bum bag, take change and plastic bags. Bring a table to lay stuff out on.

Expect to make a pittance, view it as a clearance rather than a money making opportunity.

DaisyDreaming · 04/05/2019 21:55

Good luck! I read too many threads about people’s car boot experiences and decided to stick with flogging local online sites and then onto the charity shop unsold!

formerbabe · 04/05/2019 21:55

It's quite unbelievable what people want to pay. I was selling my buggy at one and a woman offered me £1 Shock

By the end, I'd had enough. One woman picked up a bag I was selling and asked me how much...just to get rid of it I said 10pence. She put it down and walked off Shock

ExplodingCarrots · 04/05/2019 22:08

I've done 2 and it's really opened my eyes. As other posters have said, people want stuff for nothing. Also , when I was unloading stuff out of the car there were 2 women who started rummaging through my bags of stuff Shock It seems you get them at every car boot. I told them to shift it and wait until I'd set up. Good luck .

Original poster
Plastictattoo · 05/05/2019 07:42

Well, I'm here! All set up and its not raining. Had my first chancer and a friendly nod from another trader. Water off a duck's back...

OP posts:
BitOfFun · 05/05/2019 07:47

Good luck! Live comment here if anything exciting happens Grin

Al2O3 · 05/05/2019 07:50

Take a picture of your wares! Thinking about doing this ourselves as we have masses of stuff to sell including antiques.

JeezYouLoon · 05/05/2019 07:56

Good luck, I'm doing one today too but looking at it as a clearance.

It's a fabulous people watching experience, be warned though my cousin did one and people were stealing from her stall! I keep my money on my person at all times, just in case Wink

Original poster
Plastictattoo · 05/05/2019 08:19

Well made £25 worth of sales, so £15 up on the day. Need to stop eyeing up the fabulous leopard skin boots on the next stall though...

OP posts:
Original poster
Plastictattoo · 05/05/2019 11:11

About £40 up. Slow and steady and not scary at all. Some CFs but going ok

OP posts:
GenuineKlatchianPottery · 05/05/2019 11:16

What time does it finish OP? Might be worth your while reducing your prices on stuff you really want to get rid of now. Stuff that you don’t mind if you end up taking home keep to your original price.

Original poster
Plastictattoo · 05/05/2019 11:25

Finishes at 4pm but I want to be home in 2 hours. Only got one big thing left so will do as you say. The rest is books and games which I can keep in the garage.

OP posts:
Original poster
Plastictattoo · 05/05/2019 14:21

Made £80! Other traders said it was quieter than normal. Sold about 60% of stuff. The rest is going back in the garage to gather dust!
I didn't get the fabulous boots though!
Thanks for advice

OP posts:
notsodimwit · 05/05/2019 14:45

£80 pounds! good going op :) I am having one next week and if I made £80 pounds I will be really pleased!

notsodimwit · 05/05/2019 14:46

hah! you so didnt need them lovely boots!!!

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