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SELLING your unwanted belongings at a car boot sale is a great way to make some extra cash – and declutter your house in the process!
Imagine walking away from the sale with hundreds of pounds and newly vacated storage space in your home. The profit potential is real and exciting!
Interested?
Here are some tips to make your boot sale journey easier and more enjoyable, helping you make the most of your Sunday morning!
Do Your Research
Some car boot sales are busier than others and attract different crowds. They also start at various times. I recommend researching beforehand to find the best ones to attend. You will maximise your profits by ensuring you attend one that is busy enough but has low selling fees.
Your local newspaper should have listings of your local boot sales, and a cheeky Google search of Boot Sales in my area should also do the trick.
It would also be helpful if you had previously checked out the boot sales near you to get a feel for each.
Don’t assume that travelling to a wealthier area will yield better results—you’ll waste time and money on petrol.
Pre-book Your Spot
Be organised and pre-book where you’ll set up your stall. This usually involves contacting the event organizers or the steward in advance to reserve a spot. If you can’t pre-book, arrive early and charm the steward to find a good spot.
In the beginning, people are cautious and clutching onto their purse strings, and near the end, they’ve often run out of money.
Arrive Early
As the saying goes, the early bird catches the worm, especially at car boot sales!
The first 90 minutes are prime time for sales, so arriving early and thoroughly set up before the car boot opens its doors to the public is essential.
Product Placement
Place the most valuable items, such as electronics, designer clothes, or collectibles, closest to you and create a bargain bin for items priced at £1 or less. This will draw prospective customers in, who will then browse the more expensive items.
Bring A Friend
Having a friend come along will be helpful, as they can help watch out for those pesky light-fingered shoppers and assist with serving customers. It also makes the day more enjoyable and less lonely.
Your pal can also assist with serving customers.
Be Prepared
Being prepared is key. Pack up your items the night before so you don’t have to do it in the morning. Then, all you have to do is set your alarm, get in the car, and go! Properly setting up your stall is crucial, so allow time to ensure that you get it just right. This preparation will make you feel confident and ready for the sale.
Presentation Presentation Presentation
Just because people are happy to buy secondhand to get a bargain doesn’t mean they don’t have high standards. Be sure to clean up any items you intend to sell, wash any clothes or wipe any ornaments, for example, to make them more attractive to potential customers. This will also make them appear newer and even allow you to give a higher asking price.
Bring some hangers with you, especially if we use a clothes rail. That way, people can have a good look at the clothes you are selling, and they will look more appealing and eye-catching rather than just being in a pile on the floor.
However, you can do this with some cheaper items, allowing people to have a cheeky rummage. I usually process all these items at £1 or 50p. Another good tip is to bring some ground sheets or simple tablecloths from home.
You will likely also need a table. A cheap wallpapering paper will usually do the trick, and no one will know once you put a tablecloth on it.
A clothing rail is also handy; however, I wouldn’t recommend investing unless you intend to regularly attend boot sales or if you have a use for it at home.
Makeup or toiletries can be displayed in small boxes or containers, making browsing easy for customers.
Pack A Lunch
The whole point of coming to the boot sale is to make money, so you don’t want to waste your profits on snacks and drinks.
Packing a cheeky lunch and even a flask of tea or coffee will ensure that your money stays in your pocket.
Layer Up
I’m sure we know that the English weather does what it wants. This is why it’s good to layer up, especially in the morning when it can be slightly nippy. When and if it gets warmer, you can shed your layers of clothing and store them in the car until you are comfortable.
Mood Music
A Bluetooth speaker and some funky tunes can be just what you need to entice potential customers to your stand. Just check with the steward to ensure they are happy for you to play your own music and opt for children-friendly versions of any songs you play. No swearing, please.
Avoid labelling Items
Avoid labelling items; you may change your prices throughout the day. While it can be extremely busy to start, it may go quiet as the day goes on, so it can be a good technique to lower your prices to get some.
Feel Free To Drop Prices
Remember, selling items cheaply and finding them a new home is much better for the environment than just throwing them away, which will likely result in them going to landfills. This tip is not only a great way to quickly get rid of unwanted items, but it also helps the planet.
Give Good Customer Service
Remember to smile and interact with customers. People are much more likely to purchase something if greeted with a friendly conversation. Take an interest in what they are viewing and prepare to answer any questions they might have.
Consider The Best Items To Sell
Make sure you are selling things people will want to buy. Toys and stuffed animals are generally successful, especially if they are collectables. Children grow out of toys quickly, and parents are keen to keep them happy. Try not to sell anything too big that customers wouldn’t be able to take home.
Prepare To Barter
Customers love to act like they’re on a TV show and practice their best haggling techniques. If you’re looking to sell an item for £5, price it at £7 to start, and then the customer will feel like they’ve got a bargain when you accept the lower offer!
Make Sure You Have Change
There’s nothing worse than making a sale and then realising you haven’t got the right change, so you have to take less for an item. Come prepared with bags of pound coins and some notes because someone will inevitably want to pay for a 50p item with a £20 note.
I also have a card reader that I bring with me; however, I wouldn’t recommend investing in one unless you intend to do boot sales regularly or you have another use for it.
Be Prepared With Bags
Car boot buyers often don’t come prepared, so come armed with carrier bags. And if you’re selling anything breakable, bubble wrap and tissue paper will also be handy.
Invest In A Bum Bag
While this may seem insignificant, it really is the key to making money. It is practical, giving you pockets for all types of change, plus your phone and your car keys.
Remember, Car boot sales are about small amounts adding up. When I first started going to car boot sales, I was all about trying to make LOADS. As time has passed, I’ve realised that the small sales often add up and that there is also the goal of getting rid of things I no longer want. Having a clear out, getting up at the crack of dawn (not my favourite time of day) and heading to stand in a field that isn’tisn’t on Glastonbury land is pointless if I’m going to just refuse every offer of a price I’ve got in my head and go home with all the stuff again via the local refuse recycling centre.
Beware Of Spending Your Newly Earned Cash
Okay, yes, I have grabbed some bargains at Car Boot sales, where I’ve also been a seller. When you have cash in your bum bag, it’s very tempting to go spend it; who wants to miss out on that fantastic boot sale bargain, right?
My advice would be to be sensible and maybe set yourself a limit of £10. Before buying anything, first ask yourself if you need it, want it, and whether it’s worth it.
Remember you are trying to eliminate clutter and not bring more home.
Boot Sales Are Also About Having Fun
Yes, car boot sales are about buying and selling unwanted stuff, so keep that in mind when you’re haggling or trying to make a sale. However, they are also the perfect opportunity to meet loads of people, and making the most significant win is the fun of the day out.
Have you ever sold at a car boot sale, and if so, what are your boot sale tips?
Please comment below
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Lee-Anne x
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