Overhaulin'

Can anyone give me any advise on selling things at a Car Boot sale?

I might be going to a car boot sale and have some things to sell but I'm not sure how much to sell them for. Also should I put prices on them or let people ask how much they are and then haggle a price or something. I'm selling some Avon 500ml Bubble Bath, 250ml bottles of Shampoo and Conditioner, Avon silver watches, Brushes, Brush set, small makeup brushes and some skin products. The Avon items are a few years old but I have checked them the Bubble bath was air tight sealed and smells nice and looks fine, the shampoo's smell ok and looks ok but weren't sealed and there is some skin makeup that is a couple years old and dunno whether to sell those or leave them. Other stuff is weave basket things, used hair straighteners but good condition, 3 items of clothes, figure roller skates, bath soaps, bath blow up pillow, red card and envolopes, A4 watercolour paper. Also wondering am I allowed to sell some lettuces I grew in my garden and some red plum? How much should I price these things? Any tips on selling things? Forgot to mention selling some bags as well.

Public Comments

1. There is a link near the bottom of this website http://www.bootfairreview.co.uk which has bootfair tips.
2. Put the price you want on the label, but be prepared to barter. The people looking round first thing are usually dealers and will try and barter you down to nothing, so don't go cheap too early
3. I did one today, we took a big car load and came back with 2 small boxes, we sold everything from clocks to guitar stands, video's for 10p, guitar cables for 2 pound, we took over 60 quid and sold cheap, that's the secret, there were others around who sell regular and wanted too much, they ended up taking most of their stuff back! as soon as we opened the boot we never rested for at least 3 hours he he stereo with CD and speakers 3 quid, hats 10p, ornaments 10p, mirrow 25p etc A true car booter wants to get rid of unused stuff at a price that makes people buy, the rest are just out for profit, i saw people looking at books and stuff and i could see them thinking yeah or no but as soon as i said a low price it was in a bag and gone he he sell low get rid of it make people happy make a few quid enjoy the day...yes label some things but not all, cos inquisitiveness brings a sale...x
4. Don't bother unless you're prepared to take 10p for every item. Seriously, don't bother unless you're some sort of masochist.
5. by all means sell the vegetables and fruits. id be careful with the skin makeup unless its still sealed and in date otherwise id bin it. as for everything else - dont put prices on - let people ask then you can negotiate. Also dont over price things, people going to boots dont tend to want to pay much unless its furniture, large items, antique. Mostly be-aware that the first people looking round your stall and even in your car before you can get the stuff out properly will be dealers, they will try and get you to sell stuff straightaway at cheap prices. its up to you how desparate you are to get rid of something - but if you sell as soon as come out of car it may end up on their stall within minutes at a much inflated price! Take a chair of some sort as it tends to be a long morning and some food or drink as the stuff sold there is usually expensive. Its better to do sales in pairs - so there are two pairs of eyes on the goods and if one needs to go to the toilet there is someone you trust to watch your stall (and someone to talk to , to pass the time). Otherwise enjoy it - and good luck!
6. When you go to the market, what you are actually selling is yourself. The items you have on sale don't matter. If you come across in a cheerful,confidant, bright & breezy manner the gear will sell itself. Believe Me, I taught Del Boy all he knows. Good luck and remember, Richard Branson started out by selling records from a telephone box.
7. i did it a few months ago with a load of stuff, earned a lot of money, well 100 to 150 a day until my stuff ran out. the best advice I can give is don't be greedy. if you're selling a hand bag that cost you 50 quid 6 months ago don't try to get 20 quid for: remember your stuff is only worth what the customer is willing to pay, and will most items you are looking at change, watch people looking, pay more attention to those who ask questions but keep an ey out for those people that pick an item up then put it back then walk around and come back because they want so ask them what they would pay for it.
8. put a price on everything because a lot of people are too shy/embarrassed or can't be arsed to ask how much somethin is and if it's labelled up and it's cheap, they'll see its a bargain straight away.