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Original poster

Calling Car Boot Experts.

30 replies

whimsywhoo · 08/10/2005 14:40

I have decided to do a car boot sale next week ()weather permitting).
I have never done one before or been to one so was wondering what sorts of things sell.
I've got loads of videos how much do you think is ok to ask £2? What about CD's?

I've got loads of children's things, baby clothes ect and not sure if I should sell as a job lot or individually.
Any advice
TIA

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serahscarer · 08/10/2005 15:10

Sell clothes individually - really good clothes displayed and others in a big rummage box with 20p/50p each on the side.

You will probably end up bringing most of the videos home if you ask £2 to be honest. You're really looking at 50p or £1, unless they are somehow rare and sought after!

Good luck!

SenoraBruja · 08/10/2005 15:12

agree with rumage box, and £1 each for vids and cds. a clothes rail really helps sell nice-ish clothes.

SenoraBruja · 08/10/2005 15:13

nb you can always price a bit high, then drop the price later.

Original poster
whimsywhoo · 08/10/2005 15:14

Thanks

Would Disney videos be 50p or £1?
Should I price things up before I go?

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Original poster
whimsywhoo · 08/10/2005 15:16

Rumage box is a really good idea

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SenoraBruja · 08/10/2005 15:16

I never bother pricing things, though I'd have a sign on a rumage box. I would tend to say £1 each but accept 50p - haggling is half the fun of car boots. any really good quality vids (i.e. decent films decent cond) maybe 2 pounds.

serahscarer · 08/10/2005 15:23

yes, thats a good point - Disney Videos are often more sought after aren't they? Have a quick look on Ebay to see what they go for

Original poster
whimsywhoo · 08/10/2005 15:32

Good thinking

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tigermoth · 08/10/2005 15:41

I ran a retro clothe stall for many years and found what drew poeple in were signs I put up saying 'discount given if you buy two or more items'. And I used to tell people who were buying one item that they'd get a discount if they chose another!

The discount amount was at my discretion. It meant that people gathered round my stall for longer. If they found one item they liked, they tried hard to find a second item to get their discount.

A crowded, busy stall IME attracts more people, who come over to see what the fuss is all about, so this worked in my favour, too.

I don't know if this would work with a boot sales set up, but it worked for me.

SenoraBruja · 08/10/2005 15:44

did you, tg? I never had you down as the market trader type .

That used to be my plan, actually, only it was going to be a mix of retro and hand made stuff. The problem is my taste isn't shared by very many other people.

SenoraBruja · 08/10/2005 15:44

I mean tm !

tigermoth · 08/10/2005 18:51

Ah well, there you go
is it 'the' senora I am talking to BTW?

ScarySkribble · 08/10/2005 22:28

From a practicle point
Make sure your table can handle it (pasting tables are not the strongest.
Take binbags or sheets of plastic to cover up if there are showers.
Or even better take your garden brolly with its base to keep you and table dry. (Just watch it isn't too low and pooks people in the eye.
Take a flask and food especially if you are on your own.
You can never dress too warmly .

ScarySkribble · 08/10/2005 22:29

Oh and a float of change and some poly bags are helpful too.

Laura032004 · 12/10/2005 19:13

Yes, dress warmly - thinking hat and gloves if it's an early start. Take lots of chocolate!

Baby stuff - get cheap batteries to put in things, or a screwdriver so you can put them in to show people that things work. People are wary otherwise.

misdee · 12/10/2005 19:32

disney videos between 2-5pounds.

Original poster
whimsywhoo · 12/10/2005 19:51

Thanks so much for the tips, I'm getting worried now that I've taken on more than I can chew

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Laura032004 · 12/10/2005 20:04

Don't worry, they're easy!

Try and take somebody with you, it's a long day otherwise.

If a few people ask the price of something, and then don't buy it, reduce the prices. I would prefer to get a bit less for things, but get rid of them. The times we've done them and sold things dirt cheap, we've got rid of almost everything.

Beware of the people that try and upack your boot for you! If they start that, sit in your car with the doors locked for a minute, and they will move onto the next car. Keep your float/handbag locked away/out of sight whilst you are unpacking.

Don't worry if it's a miserable day and there don't seem to be many sellers. As long as it's not raining, the buyers come, and business tends to be better with less sellers, as people hate to go away with nothing!

Have fun! I love the banter and the haggling!

RachD · 12/10/2005 20:12

A friend helps.
People try to buy as you are unpacking and that is really hard.

Went to one recently, lady had different boxes for 3-6mths, 6-9 mths etc for all her baby clothes and everything was neatly folded.
Makes a big, big difference to making you stall look easy and attractive - thought that was a really good idea.

Original poster
whimsywhoo · 12/10/2005 20:31

Well, I've put all baby clothes in clear bags with a sticker on stating size/age, shop and price. Is price a good idea? I have put the price's a little higher as I thought people would try and haggle.
Also doing a rummage box. Not sure if I should price up all the videos or just put a sign up?

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Laura032004 · 12/10/2005 21:14

Personally I don't like it when all the clothes are in plastic bags. I like to be able to have a good look at them. Some people do prefer this though, and the 'professional' car booters do tend to do this.

I wouldn't bother pricing things. Makes it harder to change prices, and people may be put off before they even get to haggling (is that really a word?!?).

BUT, do put prices on things that you want a bit for, if you are going to have a 'helper'. I went for a mooch round the other stalls to find that my DH had sold something that I wanted about £20 for, for 50p

Check what things go for on E-bay. It might be worth putting a few things on there, which might not sell well on a car boot. Designer labels always do well on E-bay. Conversely, anything heavy to post won't do that well on E-bay, and you may get more at a car-boot.

albosmum · 12/10/2005 21:31

My advice as one who buys - i won't pay more than 50p for a video - as i don't know if you have played it too death - particularly childrens videos. Clothes must be cheaper than asda, clean and ironed (don't mind if they are packed, socks should be paired).

Plus I like to barter - no fun if they will not budge from wanted price

ScarySkribble · 13/10/2005 02:00

Its best to have a helper, especially when unloading. One of you gets on with setting up and one guards the stuff and serves the early vultures. I would fold and label clothes but not bag (people like to check condition). If prices marked on stuff it can make people think they are getting even more of a bargin when you start crossing out prices.

Original poster
whimsywhoo · 13/10/2005 11:23

Thanks, Dh is coming with me

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Original poster
whimsywhoo · 15/10/2005 16:57

Thought I'd let you know how we did. I made £102

Thanks so much for your tips. We still came back with 4 boxes, so we can do another one

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