Yesterday saw Chloe and I loading up the car ready to do our first car boot sale. We have a target of 2K to raise over the coming 18 months in order for her to go to Canada on sports tour after her GCSE’s. Chloe won’t be able to get a Saturday job as she dances most of the day and that is important to her and I think it is good for her to have that time to enjoy her dancing. Here I will share how we are going on the save 2K plan.
My top tips for doing a car boot sale.
1. Research what time sellers can be onsite from. We found out that sellers can pay £10 to be onsite before 10.30 when the sale starts at 12. If you arrive after 10.30 you have to wait until 12 which is the same time as the buyers arrive and it costs £7. We paid the extra £3 and were glad we did as we had a little more time to get prepared.
2. Do not be rushed or put off as people crowd your car on arriving. I had people asking me from the moment the car door opened if I had specific items – lego seemed popular!
3. Dress your stall, I had a pasting table and a clothes rail and therefore our stall looked appealing and we kept putting the best items to the front. You wouldn’t believe that just an hour later there were eight more rows of cars behind our stall.
4. Have a rough idea of prices and don’t be worried about saying no to a haggle at the start, drop prices later in the day.
5. Have a money box with plenty of change and also a stack of carrier bags for people.
6. Be friendly, chat to people I upsold especially on clothes by finding them other things they would like. We had at five customers that all bought lots of our stuff.
7. Prove electrical items work, I filmed the hoover I was selling and showed it via my phone, it sold to the first person who watched the clip.
8. Take snacks, drinks and a chair to sit on. You will be there a few hours.
Those were our tips, I didn’t let Chloe count the money as we went and I kept the notes in my own pocket but we got home she counted up. Chloe had estimated about £75 profit and I thought £120. We were thrilled that we had achieved £160.
Therefore we now are looking for another £1840
I did a boot sale yesterday too…I had to be up at 5 & there before 6 though! We also made £160+ after taking out money for our own purchases & food & drinks. When the crowd gathered around my car they were after mobile phones & china!
HELEN recently posted…Lunchbox Ideas to Get Out of That School Lunchbox Rut
Wow, well done you! Great tips. It’s been a long time since I’ve done one of these, as I’ve opted for NCT nearly new sales more recently, but I’m going to have to bite the bullet as my girls stuff is too old for the NCT now! Hate the idea of being hassled by a crowd though 🙁
Some fab tips, but one love the one about proving electrical items work. Genius idea.
Penny Carr recently posted…Ladybird Tuesday: Sunstart Reading Scheme – On the Beach
Some really good tips, I have never done a car boot sale but have been to plenty x
Rachel recently posted…Accessory Wednesday – Brightly Coloured Beads!
Wow well done on the profit! I keep thinking I should do a car boot…have so much stuff lying around!
Foz recently posted…Review: Trunki Paddlepak Dolphin – Splash
I so need to cram in a boot sale before the end of the season. Ours is an early morning one and I HATE getting up at 5am!
Jen Walshaw recently posted…Back to School 2014
Great tips! I remember doing a car boot sale, and before we unpacked loads of people were crowding our stand, many were dealers. Worth the effort if you can get up early!
The Diary Of A Jewellery Lover recently posted…Degustabox For August
Love car boot sales! We meant to go this year and sell some stuff but with a busy time we couldn’t organize it properly. But I did enjoy buying 😀
Sylvia @ Happiness is homemade recently posted…Chłodnik (cold polish beetroot soup)
Great ideas, I’ve got loads of baby stuff I need to sell.
Kate Williams recently posted…10 Jobs that being a mum totally qualifies me for
great tips and well done on doing so well! the boys would love to do a car boot and we have lots of get rid of but have never got round to it! x
louise recently posted…The Gallery: School
I’ve done a few car boots with the children now, normally about one a year after a good clear out. It’s fun to make a bit of money that goes into the family treat jar and we give everything we don’t sell to charity.
Emma (My Little 3 and Me) recently posted…Colour Mixing Lanterns – Autumn / Fall Craft
great tips – it’s been years since I’ve done a car boot!
Polly Davies recently posted…What Mama Wore – harem pants and a twenty four week bump
Wow that’s amazing, I love car boots but never get to go to them much as we don’t drive and they are usually a little way out! x
Fritha Strickland recently posted…Hello Beautiful
That’s brilliant! I really want to do a car boot sale, it’s just the getting there early bit that puts me up!! Well done though, a good amount to make from it!
Thats a great profit……I find people always want something for nothing at our local one
Kara recently posted…Week 36 – Project 365 2014