How to flog your wares at a car boot sale, and maximise your profits
However, turning the things you no longer want into treasure for a buyer takes more than simply spreading a boot full of products and on to a table. Timing, pricing, presentation and negotiation skills all play a part in how much money you can make.
Here, Telegraph Money explains the steps to take to get started, how to set the right price for your items and what to do if something goes wrong.
What preparation do you need to do?
Are there any tricks to laying out your stall?
How do you price your items?
Do you need insurance?
What if someone tries to return something they think is faulty?
FAQs
What preparation do you need to do?
Take the time to prepare properly. Start by sorting through what you plan to sell, such as toys, books, game consoles, clothing and garden equipment, making sure that they are in good working condition and old batteries have been replaced.
'If they're dusty, give them a quick wipe over with a cloth. If you're selling clothes, iron them. A little effort makes items look cared for, not like neglected junk,' said Kayleigh Davies, auctioneer and auction expert at Auctionet.
It's also important to consider practical details, such as checking the weather forecast, bringing a cash float and arriving early to secure a good pitch.
Ms Davies said: 'Tarpaulins are useful for covering everything in case of rain. Make sure you have plenty of change, as you may lose sales if you can't finish a transaction. And bear in mind that serious buyers arrive early, so you should be even earlier.'
It is also worth checking whether there are any limits on what you can or can't sell at your chosen venue or if there are specialist sales more suited to your items. For example, if you are only selling clothes, it could be worth finding a clothing fair to sell at.
Are there any tricks to laying out your stall?
When it comes to setting up on the day, presentation is key. Use a trestle table with a tablecloth, and bring a clothes rail with you if you're selling clothes.
'Think about your setup from a shopper's perspective,' said Shannon Murphy, accredited professional organiser and founder of Simpl Living Co.
'Rummaging on the floor feels much less pleasant than browsing through clothes on a rail or walking alongside neat tables. Grouping your items by category is also helpful. Keep books together, children's toys in one spot and homeware in another, so people can quickly find what interests them.'
If some of your items look a little tatty, don't be tempted to hide them at the back of your stall.
'If you have a lot of low-value items, think about making an 'everything 50p' or a '3 for £1' box. A clearly labelled bargain box can draw people in. But your most interesting or attractive items should be in a prominent place to draw attention,' said Ms Davies.
How do you price your items?
Do some research on sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace to help give you an idea of how high to price your items, keeping in mind that if you've paid a pitch fee (the price to sell at a car boot), you'll want to earn more than this back. However, remember that since it's a car boot sale, people will be expecting bargains.
Wayne Hemingway, co-founder of The Classic Car Boot Sale, said: 'If you don't have anything rare or valuable and you don't want to take stuff home, then price to sell and enjoy the ride.'
If you have any higher-value items, you might decide to leave these unpriced to encourage conversation and haggling – but be aware this could put some buyers off.
'If items aren't priced, shy buyers might walk away, so if you're not using price labels, be prepared to notice when someone is gazing longingly at something so you can start with a hello or ask if they need help,' said Ms Davies.
Decide beforehand the minimum price you're prepared to accept, and if items aren't shifting, consider bundling them to make them more attractive – this can work particularly well for items such as clothing of the same size or books by the same author.
If you later realise you've undersold something, unfortunately, there's not much you can do about it.
'If you've undersold something, look on the bright side: one of your goals was to de-clutter and you've still done that, for a price you were happy to accept at the time' said Ms Davies.
Do you need insurance?
If you're a casual car boot seller, you probably won't need to take out insurance. However, it's best to check with the event organiser to be sure – they may have an insurance policy that covers all stallholders.
On the other hand, if you're a regular trader and running car boot sales several times a year, consider buying public liability insurance. This will cover you against customer injury – if a customer trips over your stall, for instance – as well as damage to their property.
If you're selling handmade items, you should also apply for product liability insurance. This will protect you in the event a customer makes a claim because of a faulty product you sold that caused injury or damage.
What if someone tries to return something they think is faulty?
Unless you're selling handcrafted items, you have no obligation to refund a customer, and many car boot sale sellers choose to clearly display signs saying 'no refunds'.
Although these signs are not legally binding, they inform customers that you're not prepared to accept returns. However, it's important that you do not mislead customers or sell unsafe goods, so don't say that something works when it doesn't.
If a customer asks to return an item, be polite and hear them out. If the issue is genuine, you might decide to accept the return as a gesture of goodwill, particularly if you're likely to come back to the event in the future. But if the item was accurately described, you're within your rights to decline.
FAQs
Can I just turn up on the day?
The rules differ from sale to sale, but it is common for car boot sales to let you turn up on the day, secure a pitch and start selling. There will usually be a seller arrival time and a buyer arrival time, so make sure you're prepared to get there early.
It is rare, but some locations – such as Peckham in London – have high demand, which can mean that there is a booking system, so it is worth checking in advance so you're not disappointed on the day.
How much does it cost to attend?
The cost of a pitch will depend on the car boot sale you choose and the size of your vehicle or, in some instances, the amount of things you want to sell. However, as a rough guide, pitches usually start at around £10 and rise to about £30 if you are bringing a van on the day.
There is no official database of car boot sales, but websites such as Car Boot Junction have a wealth of information on local events, so you can find ones near you.
Do I need a car?
No, despite the name, you do not necessarily need a car for a car boot sale. Walk-in sellers can often buy a smaller pitch on the day and use a table or rails to display their items. However, policies differ, so it's worth consulting the rules at individual events before attending.
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