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Car boot sales tips

7 replies

slightlydomesticated · 08/08/2025 10:25

I'm doing my first car boot sale in a couple of weeks and just wanted to know if anyone has any good tips for a first timer? For example: I have a starting price for most items, do I put a price sticker on items or just tell people when they ask? Good positions in the grounds etc? Anything that might help!

OP posts:
ThejoyofNC · 08/08/2025 14:29

Bring change and watch out for aggressive resellers trying to rip through all your stuff before you've even got out of the car. Send them away

slightlydistrac · 08/08/2025 14:59

You will need two of you! At some point you will need the loo and you'll need somebody to man the stall for you. Take loads of change. Take loads of spare carriers if you have them. Wear a bumbag and keep all your money in it. Watch people's hands. Watch out for kids nicking stuff from under the table. Price everything sensibly. Nobody is going to want to pay more than 50p for a book unless it is a hardback in good condition in which case maybe £3 at a push. Same goes for clothes etc.

When you are packing the car, put the trestle table / stand / rugs on top so you can get them out first. When you arrive, don't start to unload straight away. As a pp says, re-sellers and dealers follow the newly-parked cars around and start rummaging in your stuff before you've even unpacked properly. They are after jewellery, silver, clocks, vintage handbags, bikes etc. Get there, park and go and buy a coffee and a bacon roll. By the time you get back to your car, the melee will have moved on to the next set of cars that have arrived and you can unpack in peace.

Don't hold anything back for anyone if they say they want something and will come back later for it. They probably won't, and you will miss out on selling it to someone else.

People haggle like crazy. Don't let it faze you.

If you can, go to one the week before and look around at what people are charging, so you can price your stuff right.

Member278307 · 08/08/2025 14:59

Do not bother with car boot. No money in it. People want things for next to nothing. Watch for people stealing.

SomethingWitty44 · 08/08/2025 16:29

I found this thread to be helpful last year.
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5138260-car-boot-sales-do-you-have-any-tips-what-sells-well?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

good luck! You will get hagglers and you have to forget how much items cost you when new, we made just over £100 for tut that had been gathering dust. Took the clothes that didn’t sell to one of those stalls that buys clothes by the bag. Made another £25/30.

Car boot sales - do you have any tips? What sells well? | Mumsnet

I'm haveing a clear out and am going to do a car boot. I haven't done one for decades, all I remember is to price things low! Have you got any other...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5138260-car-boot-sales-do-you-have-any-tips-what-sells-well?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

3rdtimeinflorida · 08/08/2025 17:19

We’ve always done well at car boots, you just have to be prepared to sometimes practically give things away depending.
As another posted said, plenty of change and carrier bags.
We are doing our yearly carboot this Sunday- good luck to you x

slightlydomesticated · 10/08/2025 09:39

Thanks for the tips. I'm at the point where every penny helps, and I just want to get rid of loads of stuff that's sitting around so won't be too bothered about it going cheap. I was going to go solo so will now definitely take someone with me too!

OP posts:
Brahumbug · 10/08/2025 10:08

Always ask slightly more for an item than you really want, gives you room to haggle. People love to think they have got a bargain. If you want £5 for an item start at sat £7.

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