Car boot sale success: 10 top tips

Car boot sales are a great way of clearing out clutter and making some money.

Popular items at a car boot sale include clothes, accessories, children’s toys, baby goods, shoes, furniture, ornaments, photo frames, jewellery, books, CDs and DVDs.

So if you're hoping for a car boot sale success, then it's all about the planning. We've got 10 tips on what to do and mistakes to avoid if you want to make more money.

1. Research

Keep an eye out for flyers and posters dotted around your neighbourhood advertising upcoming boot fairs in your area, or visit Car Boot Junction to find the closest ones to you.

First, go as an observer and see where the best pitches are located - which areas are busiest? Often these are close to the entrance or food stalls.

Look on selling sites such as eBay, Preloved and Vinted before the sale day to get an idea of approximately how much the things you want to sell are worth second hand. Based on that then decide the lowest price you would accept, so you aren't pressured into selling something for much less than you are happy with.

2. Pack the night before

Put your items in boxes, so you can quickly load your car in the morning. Take a folding table and old sheets or tablecloths to present your goods. A waterproof groundsheet is a good ideas as you can put it in front of your table to present larger items. Make sure you have plenty of loose change and plastic bags for people to carry their newly purchased items away.

If you have a lightweight gazebo for the garden, you might want to pop it in the car if the weather looks dodgy; not only will it keep your possessions dry, it will lure over people who also want to avoid getting wet.

Consider taking a flask of tea and a breakfast sandwich. If your stall is busy, you might not have time to grab anything; plus you don't want to fritter your hard-earned cash on lukewarm tea and a bacon bap from a burger van if you can avoid it.

3. Get there early

A successful boot fair involves a very early start, sometimes as early as 5am, to ensure you arrive before the seller's opening time.

You ideally want to be one of the first in the queue in order to choose your high-traffic pitch; if it's wet weather first check that the boot fair is still running (most will have a page on Facebook or a website). If it's been raining but the boot fair is on, look for the driest areas.

And bear in mind that as with seasonal sales, serious buyers arrive early.

4. Take a friend

An extra pair of hands can be useful if you experience a sudden rush of visitors to your stall' when you need a break or to keep an eye on your goods if you're busy with a customer.

And if maths isn't your strong point, find a friend who can add up and take away without breaking a sweat, so you don't have to fumble with a calculator. 

Having someone to pass the time with will prevent you looking bored and unapproachable - but be careful not to get so engrossed in your conversation that you miss a prospective customer's attempt to make eye contact.

5. Consider when to use price labels

Not pricing everything up can save time, and people may pay more than you expect for an item, especially if it's something particularly collectible or nostalgic. 

If anything has an interesting back story, consider leaving a price off, as you might be more likely to make the sale if you build up a rapport with the buyer. 

However, if you organise a bargain bin or rail with a label declaring 'Everything 50p', that could attract people of a shyer nature, who would rather not chat as they browse.  

6. Bargains attract

Eye-catching signs often work: BOGOF (Buy One, Get One Free) or you might like to try a couple of more creative ones like 'Treasure Trove' for some of your older items (jewellery, ornaments, pictures, etc.)

7. Prepare answers to objections that buyers may have 

• "Does the torch work?" Have batteries with you.
• "It's too expensive." Know the recommended retail price and respond with "Brand new, this would cost eight times the price".
• "It's awkward to carry." Have bags at hand.
• "How does this work?" Include instruction booklets.

8. Set your stall out like a retailer would

During summer, organise plants, garden shears, gnomes and parasols in a prominent position. 

Place all-year round items such as books in a 'Great Reads' box. 

If you're selling clothes, use a clothes rail, perhaps organised in sizes, or divided into men's, women's and children's clothes. 

Periodically view your stall from the front as a customer would - what would appeal to YOU if you were passing by? 

9. Charm sells

Be polite and upbeat, and show interest in the customer; this has a huge effect on sales. 

Be confident in your approach: if you're unhappy with an offer, politely say no and tell them why you feel it's worth the price you are asking, but be prepared to strike a bargain.

10. The final clearance

If you want to go home with an empty boot, use your vocal cords to good effect and let customers know of some great tactical combinations, for example; tennis racquet and 10 balls were £15, now £9 for the lot. 

Above all, enjoy the fun of being a seller.