CarBoot Sale never again.

[birdladyfromhomealone]

Today I decided to do a car boot sale as our garage is full of our catering equipment ( retired caterer)
Had car load of crockery, cutlery, saucepans, trays , serving spoons etc
All quailty Hotel ware.
Got there at 7.15 an and and was surrounded by about 15 old men pulling stuff out my car.
Then it rained , so everyone left.
Made £30 in 2 hours. all good.
Then decided to go to another sale, much bigger one.
Cost double to go in £20 but lots more people and booters.
After 5 hours I made £30
Selling for under £3.00 per item
Why is it if you say £1.00 they put the item down and walk away?
Some of my items ( stainless steel saucepans) cost between £30-£50 and I couldnt even get a £1.00 for them
AIBU to think everyone wants something for nothing these days?

I've done a few car boots with my Mum, when we first get there, we don't let anyone into the car nor sell until we are set up, if dealers ask if we have jewellery we just say no and off they go, never, ever try to do one on your own! Wear a bum bag for your cash, don't take £20 notes for low cost items , never leave cash in the car or the doors open. Our small local one is fine, but there is one in a nearby town where people openly steal off the stalls, I've seen this before but luckily other sellers have stuck together and pointed the thieves out. Most things tend to be priced in 50p, £1 upwards, not odd numbers like 60p, 75p, paperbacks 50p each or 3 for £1, clothes and shoes £1-£3. Anything I don't sell I take to the charity shop, only do one a year now. I have bought loads of things, can't remember the last time I bought new in a shop, clothes, garden items, ornaments and gift sets that I can give as presents or use at home. Love them.You can always tell the people who have never sold at carboots before, they price by what they have paid in the shops, they are the ones usually taking the stuff home unsold, I am fortunate enough not to be on the bread line, but I see a lot of people at the boots who need them as a means to get by, especially for childrens clothing, etc, in a way it's a good way to recycle instead on landfill
I suggest ebay or gumtree for the catering items, not a hope in hell selling them for a realistic price at a car boot

AIBU to want this thread to continue? Some of these boot sale stories are hilarious, I'd love to hear more

I love doing car boot sales!! But I completely agree that you should keep the better items back to sell on fb/gumtree/eBay, as you will be giving it away and losing money on them.

In general, for small items you will struggle to get £1 out of people. Large items (child’s scooter, buggy etc) you may make £5 if you are lucky. A full car though and this can really add up.

You do have to watch for the initial rush where the swarms do descend on you and things could go ‘missing.’ The one I go to at the moment though, let the sellers in 30 minutes before buyers so you can set up. I’d also not recommend taking bigger notes, I only accept £5 and £10 notes and they have all been genuine so far.

I agree also with not going alone. You can get a rush on at times which gives an opportunity for thieves and also toilet breaks are risky.

Some people can be rude, but I don’t entertain them. I go with friends and we have a good laugh.