HINTS AND TIPS FOR CAR BOOT BUYING AND SELLING
HINTS AND TIPS FOR CAR BOOT BUYING AND SELLING
HINTS AND TIPS FOR CAR BOOT BUYING AND SELLING
This document was written by the Activ Portsmouth team and is an overview guide relating tocar bootBUYING and SELLING for the Portsmouth area but can be used as a general guide for car boot buying and selling. This information has been collected from experienced car boot buyers and sellers but I stress that this is general information to help you; however you will need to make your own judgement calls relating to buying and selling items.
Car boot sales are great fun; they can be large or small events such as home garage sales, church rummage sale or local fund raising events. Or it could be a regular carefully managed car boot event.
Atthe largeorganised car boot sales you'll typically find, in addition to local catering stalls three types of seller
- Market traders selling mainlynew items
- Boot Traders masquerading as Private sellers (professional car booter's)
- Private sellers. People selling their unwanted items.
It's the latter that car boot enthusiasts find most exciting andfor whom the following observations are intended.
HINTS AND TIPS FOR THE BUYER
Firstly obtain a local paper to find out when and where you nearest car boot sales are and also check on the internet for local information or just ask at the local pub.
Make the effort to get to the sale VERYearly if you want to find the best bargains
You will need a supply of small change and small notes, keep them readily accessible.
Keep your wits about you and keep your valuables out of reach and safe from any would be pick pockets. Car boot sales can be very busy and it is easy to get distracted.
Depending on what you might be looking to buy take a good sized rucksack or other carry bag.
Dressfor the occasion particularly in winter as you are exposed to the elements.
It's a good idea to put a flag or other on your car aerial to make it easy to find later.
Do not take your dog or small childrenunless you are going to the boot sale just for fun. You will need to move quickly and get around without lots of interruptions.
Do some forward planning and decide what you are looking for before you arrive. Try and focus on what you are looking for as it is very easy to get distracted by other items.
If you are buyingwith a view to selling through other channels, make sureitems you buy are not prohibited. Only buy items at a price you can sell on to make a reasonableprofit. You need to be objective about your buying otherwise you could be doing a lot of work for little or no return.
Your plan of attack. It's important to work out how you are going to cover all the stalls in a deliberate and methodical way.
It's always good strategy to be polite with sellers and definitely let them unpack most of their items before trying to identify bargains!
Take a good look around as some of the moreinteresting or special itemsmay be out of harms way
Make sure when buying thatitems are in good order with no damage as there will be no going back. You typically buy as seen.
It's always a good ideato walk thecar boot salea second time as other sellers may arrived late or you may have missed something interesting on your first visit.
Be prepared to haggle but remember sellers deserve a decent price forgood qualityitems.
Always be polite and smile when you ask the price - it might just get you a discount. Always request a discount if you are buying multiple items
Do not get carried away in the excitement, consider carefully before parting with large amounts of money. If you are not sure, leave your telephone number with the seller and negotiate after the sale is over if the item is not sold. Sellers often reduce prices later in the day.
Always avoid impulse buys. Stay focused on your original plan.
It's a good idea not to take more money with you than you can afford to spend. Remember buying atcar boot sales can become a little addictive!
Never leave expensivepurchases with sellers for safe keeping- they may sell to someone else for a higher price.
HINTS AND TIPS FOR THE SELLER
Be sure to research and evaluate if you have any items to sell that may be of real value. You need to be confident of your pricing. It's always worth looking in your local papers or internet sales to get an indication of similar item prices.
You may need a folding table (pasting table) and be prepared for rain. Plastic sheets if required.
It's great if someone else is with you as it's much easier to serveand it's more fun with two.
Be prepared, get everything ready the night before, check the weather forecastandpack the car. Arrive early.
Always check over your items for damage and clothingfor money or other valuables
You will need small change, small notes, penand paper carrier bags,a chairand bin liners.
Unless you clear your items quickly you will need food and drink.
Selling at car boots is no place for children.
Consider carefully the location of your pitch and if possible choose a pitch away from any muddy area's or puddles
Unfortunately itemsoften go 'missing' so be firm and vigilant.
Beware as a seller of people working together where one buyer will try to keep you busy and distract you while the partner in crime is unloading your stall.
Make sure you are not to close to your neighbouring pitch so as to allow people to move around easily.
Always keep your car doors locked when you are serving, and your takings in a safe place.
It's a good idea to display your mostsaleable items where they can be easily viewed and examined. Also arrange in themes if possible so there is logic to your stall.
Take a look at your stall from the buyer's perspective. Is it in good shape and interesting to the buyer? Is there space to move around the pitch?
For a large pitch arrange a semi circle of stalls as itsnice and inviting and givesbuyers less chance for theirattention to wanderto the next stall! Spread your items outso people can see exactly what you're selling.
Be clear and precise on your asking price. Remember everyone wants to haggle.
Be polite and friendly with customers even if sometimes it is difficult.
Always remember your objective for being at the sale. To unload your unwanted items, at a reasonable priceas quickly as possible. Charge accordingly!
Plan your selling tactics e.g.advertise 'buy one get one free' offers if it suits your purpose
It's worth having a few sweets, cans of drinks, tissuesand wet-wipes - they'regreat to offer at the front of the stall to attract mums with small kids.
Be ready to offer to take care of heavy or bulky purchases while the buyer continues to walk around the sale. Be sure they make a note of what time youplan to leave.
Always take a reasonable deposit for anyitems you agree to deliver the buyersaddress. Take note of buyer's telephone number
Make time to have a walk around the boot sale yourself and grab any bargains you seeto replace your stock and add to your profits.
Never knowingly sell or try to sell fake, dangerous or illegalgoods.
Be sure to abide by the law regarding what you sell to kids. e.g. don't sell knives, lighter fueletc to kids
Always try to be impersonal about your personal items
When the sale has finished take all your unsold items home - charity shops are grateful for saleable items but not rubbish! Recycle what is left.
Have fun and keep smiling.
This article was brought to you by the Activ Portsmouth, Your Online Guide to Portsmouth and surrounding area with local businesses, community events, houses for sale, cars and much more.
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