Top Tip for Sellers at Car Boot Sales

Selling all your old junk is a great way of recycling and earning a little extra money. Here are some top tips for maximum selling, and money earning, potential.

1. Item Research
Search for any items you're not sure about pricing on eBay. Select the 'completed listing' option to see how much they sold for on average. Things like books and CDs should all be but in a box and go for about the same price, maybe altering slightly by size of book, but things like ornaments and specialist items should be searched before hand.

2. Location Research
Visit a few car boot sales / markets in your area to see which are most popular and what type of items sell best. Pay attention to which stalls attract buyers and incorporate their techniques into your own stall.

3. Best Place To Sell
People generally go to car book sales and markets to get a bargain. Some items you may be better off selling at specialist shops or on eBay. Nintendo 64 games, for example, are worth different amount depending on the game. At a car boot sale people might expect them to be all sold for the same price and it might effect your earning potential or sales.

4. Decoration
Make your table look nice to attract buyers. Cover the table with a nice or colourful cloth. Offer some 'buy one get one free' type deals and put up signs. You could even add a few large ornaments which you don't intend on selling but would attract buyers to your table.

5. Weather
Check the weather forecast. If there could be a chance of rain take some clear plastic sheeting to cover your table or shelter for your entire stall. Having a full shelter will attract the buyers who are keeping refuge from the rain. If it has been raining get there early to get yourself a sunny spot away from puddles or muddy areas.

6. Preparation
Sort everything into boxes by type or price and pack everything up and load it into your car the day before the sale to prevent any last minute rushing. Check any items which have pockets or draws or anything like that for hidden things like money and jewelery.

7. Extras To Take
Make sure you have plenty of coins and small notes for change. Take carrier bags. Take a pen and paper as well; you never know when it might be needed. Also pack some food and drink as you will be there for a while and car boot sale / market food stalls are usually quite expensive. Take a chair so you have somewhere to rest between sales.

8. Organization & Presentation
Display your most saleable items where they can easily be seen and reached. Put the less saleable items and items which will attract small children on the ground. To be extra sneaky you could put a bowl of water next to your stall as this will attract thirsty dogs (and their owners). Arrange items by theme so there is logic to your table. Place same / similar priced items of the same theme together. Make sure your stall is not too cluttered.

9. Pricing
Some people say not to put price labels on your items, while other say you should. Some people may be too shy to ask a price in which case pricing would be better. If you choose not to price your items it means you will need to remember what costs what. When asked a price say it firmly. If you say it with an upward inflection to your voice it will sound like you're inviting the buyer to start haggling. Things like books and CDs which you are selling for the same price put all together in a box and write the price on the front of the box. At the beginning of the sale do not put a price on more specialist items. Dealers and collectors may give you a better price than you were expecting. Do not give in to an offer lower than you would have liked just for a quick sale, but do lower your prices towards the end of the sale if you want to get rid of your items.

10. Other Points of Note
i. Get a friend or family member to go with you. Two times the manpower will be better, especially if your stall is popular, and it will give each of you a chance to rest.
ii. Make sure there is not too much on the floor to the sides and in from of your stall. It needs to be easily accessible.
iii. If you are selling a large item consider offering delivery and accepting a part-payment for the item on the spot and the final payment when you deliver. Remember to write down the buyers name, phone number and address.
iv. Offer to keep large or heavy items which have been bought to the side for the buyer to collect later on when they leave.