• Be realistic about pricing but don’t give it away – buyers haven’t been prepared to part with much for anything, so decide beforehand what you’re going to charge for each item but be realistic about what you’ll get for it. That old video recorder may have given you hours of viewing pleasure, but to another punter it’s not going to be worth more than ten or twenty Euro. But if you’re being haggled down to a price you’re not comfortable with, if it’s early enough in the day it might be worth holding out for someone who’s willing to pay a little more. Later in the day, it’s worth weighing up whether you should take a low offer or have to take the item back home and bring back to sell another time. Sometimes it’s better to get rid of the item and concentrate your efforts on more saleable items the next time round. If go regularly and find yourself taking the same things back home each time, it might be time to dump them and look for other stuff to sell.

 

  • Take plenty of carrier bags with you, as people will often ask for one if buying a few items. And if you are selling crockery of anything heavy or awkward, make sure you take a couple of spare boxes in case people buy some but not all.

 

  • Make sure your stock is clean and not covered with dust. If items come in bits and pieces. e.g. jigsaws or board games, make sure they are complete and tell people so when they look at them. If you have any electronic items, you don’t need to supply batteries, but have some with you so you can prove that they are working ok.

 

  • Don’t forget to bring some change. Bare in mind that people may well have stopped at the cash machine on the way to the car boot sale, and won’t have much by way of change, so unless you want to lose sales because you can’t break a fifty euro note, make sure you have come prepared. Try not to look like a market trader with a money belt, and don’t leave your money box or tin on display in the boot or back seat of your car. Best place for the money, is in your pocket. If there are two of you, split the change between you. It’s less for one person to carry around with them and if one person goes off to the loo, the person left behind still has change for the customers.

 

  • Finally, your behaviour and appearance can make a difference. People will look at your stall if you seem open and approachable. So even if you don’t have many sales to start with, don’t stand their frowning with your arms folded. Smile and look attentive. And most of all, have fun.