| Car boot sales are great fun; they can be large or | | | | Never leave expensive purchases with sellers for |
| small events such as home garage sales, church | | | | safe keeping - they may sell to someone else for |
| rummage sale or local fund raising events. Or it | | | | a higher price. |
| could be a regular carefully managed car boot | | | | HINTS AND TIPS FOR THE SELLER |
| event. At the large organised car boot sales you | | | | Be sure to research and evaluate if you have any |
| will typically find, in addition to local catering stalls | | | | items to sell that may be of real value. You need |
| three types of seller. | | | | to be confident of your pricing. Its always worth |
| - Market traders selling mainly new items | | | | looking in your local papers or internet sales to get |
| - Boot Traders masquerading as Private sellers | | | | an indication of similar item prices. |
| (The professional car boot seller) | | | | You may need a folding table (pasting table) and |
| - Private sellers. People selling their unwanted | | | | be prepared for rain. Plastic sheets if required. Its |
| items. | | | | great if someone else is with you as its much |
| Its the latter that car boot enthusiasts find most | | | | easier to serve and its more fun with two. |
| exciting and for whom the following observations | | | | Be prepared, get everything ready the night |
| are intended. | | | | before, check the weather forecast and pack the |
| HINTS AND TIPS FOR THE BUYER | | | | car. Arrive early. |
| Firstly obtain a local paper to find out when and | | | | Always check over your items for damage and |
| where you nearest car boot sales are and also | | | | clothing for money or other valuables. |
| check on the internet for local information or just | | | | You will need small change, small notes, pen and |
| ask at the local pub. | | | | paper carrier bags, a chair and bin liners. |
| Make the effort to get to the sale VERY early if | | | | Unless you clear your items quickly you will need |
| you want to find the best bargains | | | | food and drink. |
| You will need a supply of small change and small | | | | Selling at car boots is no place for children. |
| notes, keep them readily accessible. | | | | Consider carefully the location of your pitch and if |
| Keep your wits about you and keep your | | | | possible choose a pitch away from any muddy |
| valuables out of reach and safe from any would | | | | areas or puddles. |
| be pick pockets. | | | | Unfortunately items often go missing so be firm |
| Car boot sales can be very busy and it is easy to | | | | and vigilant. |
| get distracted. | | | | Beware as a seller of people working together |
| Depending on what you might be looking to buy | | | | where one buyer will try to keep you busy and |
| take a good sized rucksack or other carry bag. | | | | distract you while the partner in crime is unloading |
| Dress for the occasion particularly in winter as | | | | your stall. |
| you are exposed to the elements. | | | | Make sure you are not to close to your |
| Put a flag or other on your car aerial to make it | | | | neighbouring pitch so as to allow people to move |
| easy to find later. | | | | around easily. Always keep your car doors locked |
| Do not take your dog or small children unless you | | | | when you are serving, and your takings in a safe |
| are going to the boot sale just for fun. You will | | | | place. |
| need to move quickly and get around without lots | | | | Its a good idea to display your most salable items |
| of interruptions. | | | | where they can be easily viewed and examined. |
| Do some forward planning and decide what you | | | | Also arrange in themes if possible so there is logic |
| are looking for before you arrive. Try and focus | | | | to your stall. |
| on what you are looking for as it is very easy to | | | | Take a look at your stall from the buyers |
| get distracted by other items. | | | | perspective. Is it in good shape and interesting to |
| If you are buying with view to selling through | | | | the buyer? Is there space to move around the |
| other channels, make sure items you buy are not | | | | pitch? |
| prohibited. | | | | For a large pitch arrange a semi circle of stalls as |
| Only buy items at a price you can sell on to make | | | | its nice and inviting and gives buyers less chance |
| a reasonable profit. You need to be objective | | | | for their attention to wander to the next stall! |
| about your buying otherwise you could be doing a | | | | Spread your items out so people can see exactly |
| lot of work for little or no return. | | | | what you are selling. |
| Your plan of attack. Its important to work out | | | | Be clear and precise on your asking price. |
| how you are going to cover all the stalls in a | | | | Remember everyone wants to haggle. |
| deliberate and methodical way. | | | | Be polite and friendly with customers even if |
| Its always a good strategy to be polite with | | | | sometimes it is difficult. |
| sellers and definitely let them unpack most of | | | | Always remember your objective for being at |
| their items before trying to identify bargains! | | | | the sale. To unload your unwanted items, at a |
| Take a good look around as some of the more | | | | reasonable price as quickly as possible. Charge |
| interesting or special items may be out of harms | | | | accordingly! |
| way. | | | | Plan your selling tactics e.g. advertise 'buy one get |
| Make sure when buying that items are in good | | | | one free' offers if it suits your purpose. |
| order with no damage as there will be no going | | | | Stock a few sweets, cans of drinks, tissues and |
| back. You typically buy as seen. | | | | wet-wipes - they are great to offer at the front |
| Its always a good idea to walk the car boot sale | | | | of the stall to attract mums with small children. |
| a second time as other sellers may arrived late or | | | | Be ready to offer to take care of heavy or bulky |
| you may have missed something interesting on | | | | purchases while the buyer continues to walk |
| your first visit. | | | | around the sale. Be sure they make a note of |
| Be prepared to haggle but remember sellers | | | | what time you plan to leave. |
| deserve a decent price for good quality items. | | | | Always take a reasonable deposit for any items |
| Always be polite and smile when you ask the | | | | you agree to deliver the buyers address. Take |
| price - it might just get you a discount. Always | | | | note of buyers telephone number. |
| request a discount if you are buying multiple | | | | Make time to have a walk around the boot sale |
| items. | | | | yourself and grab any bargains you see to replace |
| Do not get carried away in the excitement, | | | | your stock and add to your profits. |
| consider carefully before parting with large | | | | Never knowingly sell or try to sell fake, dangerous |
| amounts of money | | | | or illegal goods. |
| If you are not sure, leave your telephone number | | | | Be sure to abide by the law regarding what you |
| with the seller and negotiate after the sale is over | | | | sell to kids. e.g. do not sell knives, lighter fuel etc |
| if the item is not sold. Sellers often reduce prices | | | | to kids. |
| later in the day. | | | | Always try to be impersonal about your favourite |
| Always avoid impulse buys. Stay focused on your | | | | items. |
| original plan. | | | | When the sale has finished take all your unsold |
| Its a good idea not to take more money with | | | | items home - charity shops are grateful for |
| you than you can afford to spend. Remember | | | | salable items but not rubbish! Recycle what is left. |
| buying at car boot sales can become a little | | | | Have fun and keep smiling. |
| addictive! | | | | |