One of the first challenges you’ll come across in your eBay reselling business is sourcing decent stock. And one of the best places to do that here in the UK? Car boot sales. The prices are typically much lower than you’d find in charity shops, and whatever you want to sell for a profit, you’ll find someone in a muddy field on a Sunday morning who has it, and just wants rids of it.
Clothes, shoes, toys, electronics, books, DVDs… They’re all there, and your local boot sale could prove to be a little goldmine. Honestly though? They can also be a bit overwhelming the first few times you check them out.
Until I started reselling, I hadn’t been to a boot sale since my mam forced me to clear out a load of stuff when I was about 12, and I went home at the end of the day feeling over the moon with £40 in my back pocket. It’s funny the things we remember, isn’t it? So it was all a learning curve, but I quickly picked up the tricks of the trade that make my weekend sourcing adventures as profitable as possible.
Here are 7 of my favourite car boot sale tips for UK eBay resellers…
1. CHECK IT’S ACTUALLY ON, AND PLAN THE TIME YOU’LL ARRIVE
When it comes to outdoor boot sales, you’re often at the mercy of the weather. A fair few end up being cancelled, so if in doubt and if you can, check they’re going ahead. My main local one updates its Facebook page every Sunday morning to let folks know what’s what. Depending on timing and location. you might be able to hit a few all in one day, and that could very well set you up for the whole week ahead when it comes to sourcing stock.
As for the time that you should arrive, loads of resellers will have you believe that if you’re not there as soon as they open the gates, you’ve missed your chance and you won’t find anything worthwhile. I typically turn up about half an hour after things kick off. The initial rush has dispersed, and there’s still more than enough stuff to rummage though. I also know of people who arrive right before the end, when sellers are keen to just get rid and will part with what’s left for next to nothing. There’s no right or wrong way… Experiment and work out what’s best for you.
2. GO WITH A STRATEGY
A solid sourcing strategy will stop you from going home with a load of old tat that’ll sit in your cupboards for ever more. It’ll stop you buying stuff just for the sake of it. And it’ll make sure that dragging yourself out of bed at 5.30am on a Sunday is worth your while, and plays a part in growing your business. A reselling strategy is a whole other subject in its own right, but if you’re just getting started, it pays to turn up at your first boot sale with at least a broad idea in mind of how you’re going to approach things.
Maybe you’ll aim to only buy items that will leave you with a tenner profit, after fees. Maybe you’re looking to drive up your average selling price, so you’re on the lookout for higher ticket items. Maybe you’ve been selling clothes for a while and want to use a boot sale to start venturing into a new niche. Whatever your plan might be, get it clear in your head and use it to drive your buying decisions. It doesn’t mean you can’t deviate if you spot something interesting, but a strategy always makes me a feel a little more confident and organised.
3. DON’T BE SCARED TO HAGGLE
Haggling’s not very British, is it? We see a price on a tag, and that’s what we expect to pay. Car boot sales are a different ball game though. They’re probably the only place in the UK where haggling is not just accepted – it’s EXPECTED. So if someone tells you that they want a fiver for that jacket they’re selling, nine times out of ten they’re hoping to get maybe £3 for it. Hand over a crisp £5 note and be on your way, and they’ll think they saw you coming.
This one’s a bit tricky though, because it’s not just how we’ve been brought up to shop. But with a bit of practice, you get into the swing of it. My favourite approach here is this… Let’s say I see a stall with quite a few bits of clothing that I’m interested in. I’ll ask for the price of one item, just to get a feel for what their pricing’s like. Then I’ll maybe pick up a few other bits and ask how much for all of them. They’ll usually knock a few quid off anyway for buying in bulk, but if not, I’ll smile and politely ask if they’d take a couple of pounds less. The majority of the time, you’ll have a deal.
If they’re not up for haggling down to a price you’d be happy to pay, don’t be embarrassed to put the item down and walk away. Sometimes they’ll call you back, but even if they don’t, it’s just part and parcel of sourcing at boot sales.
4. TAKE PLENTY OF CHANGE
Suppose you’ve just done a good old bit of haggling. You’ve grabbed a big bag of stuff for a fiver, even though you were initially told that they wanted a tenner. Whipping out a £20 note and standing there waiting for your change will make you feel like a bit of a dick. I like to pop to the bank the day before, and make sure I’m armed with a load of pound coins and loose change. It just makes your transactions a bit quicker and smoother.
If I happen to do a last minute boot sale unprepared, I’ll break into a note for the entry fee, then I’ll break into another for an ice cream or a burger to put a bit of change in my purse. (Side note – a boot sale ice cream or burger is one of my favourite reseller perks). Also shove a few carrier bags in your pocket, or you’ll have a job on your hands trying to not drop all the bargains you’ve just acquired in the mud. You always need a spare hand for raking.
5. DO A QUICK QUALITY CHECK OF WHAT YOU’RE BUYING
In a charity shop, I’ll have a good inspection of everything I buy. I check the pockets, the buttons, the lining, and I try to be sure as I can be that there’s no problems. Accidentally buying stuff that’s damaged is HUGELY frustrating. At boot sales, I’m not quite as thorough. I just think it’s a bit rude to stand there for ages inspecting every single little thing, when it’s their personal belongings.
That said though, you’re parting with your cash, so don’t be scared to do a quick check. It’s bloody annoying that people try to flog stuff with a knackered zip or a broken heel, but it happens. Thankfully the prices at boot sales are typically way cheaper than charity shops, so if the occasional dodgy item slips through your net, it’s not the end of the world and it’s not going to have a massive impact on your profits.
6. WATCH OUT FOR COUNTERFEIT GOODS
Fake designer stuff always seems to be kicking about at boot sales. It’s illegal to sell, and most organisers try to stamp it out. At the end of the day though, it’s impossible for them to rake through every single item that’s being sold. It’s also illegal for YOU to sell these goods on eBay, so if you’re buying designer trainers, bags, and clothing, be vigilant.
Some of the fakes are bad quality and can be spotted a mile away, but others are more convincing. There’s a ton of videos on YouTube that’ll talk you through exactly what to look for when it comes to confirming the authenticity of different items, and they’re worth a watch if you’re planning to source designer goods. Always err on the side of caution with this. You don’t want to risk your eBay account through an avoidable mistake.
7. GO WITH A TOUGH SKIN
I tried to think of a way to word this that doesn’t make me sound like I’m up my own arse. There isn’t one though, so I’ll cut to the chase… Car boot sales are often rough AF. I’ve seen heated and sweary arguments between buyers and sellers. I’ve seen people physically pushed out of the way in the pursuit of bargains. One time, a bloke smuggled his dog in under his coat (they’re not allowed at my local one), then security were called and there was a great big massive kick-off that ended up in him being rather forcefully ejected. You see all sorts, is what I’m saying, and very little would shock me these days.
That’s not to say that you should leave your manners at the gate — hopefully that goes without saying — but you do need to put your blinkers on, get on with what you’re there to do, and not let this kind of stuff faze you.
These days, boot sales are probably my favourite way to source. They’re cheap, there’s a load of gems to be found, and if you’ve got the reselling bug, they make a pretty fun day out. The potential for a tidy profit, and a burger and an ice cream thrown into the mix… There’s nowt to not like.
If you’ve got a jumble trail in your area, you might want to work that into your weekend routine, too. Vicky from I Beat Debt has written a great post about how they measure up against boot sales.
Are there any other car boot sale tips that you’ve found to be useful? Leave a comment and let me know.
Want to read more about building an eBay reselling business? Check out these posts:
- Nine Expensive Mistakes To Avoid In Your eBay Reselling Business
- Four Reasons Why Your Stuff Isn’t Selling On eBay
- Why Reselling Clothes On eBay Is One Of My Favourite Ways To Make Money Online
Here in the states they are called Flea Markets. and one point you made about having a lot of change I sort of disagree with. It is the name of the game. Sellers want as much as they can get and buyers want it for the least they can get it for. The sellers know the game, they play it every day. So I never feel bad if I haggle down a few bucks and then pull out a twenty to pay for it. Just my 2 cents
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