Car boot sale jitters about going solo

I found it hard work. My granddaughters, when they were about 12 and 10, used to 'help' me. I let them have a little stall of their own where they sold old toys and books, and it was fun but chaos!. Every time they sold anything they tore around with the money finding more things to buy. And bought endless ice creams and sweets etc. I hardly sold anything as I was so busy trying to keep track of them.
I didn't do many of these boot sales as it was too much like hard work for very little reward.
I don't think it matters if you park crookedly, Lizzies, but do look out for very early hunters of anything valuable etc as they do pounce incredibly quickly. I definitely feel that it's best to have someone to help.
Good luck. It can be fun.

You definitely need someone with you to stop the thieves. I saw a lady wheel a large suitcase up to a stall, lay it down, unzip it and put 6 pairs of shoes in that were on the grass next to the table. Then went to the stall holder and bought something for a £1 off the table.

Done several on my own but you do have to have eyes in the back of your head. Have to be well organized and stand your ground. Always thought worth doing for a once a year clear out.
Take plenty of change with you and a flask and some refreshments and stick it out!

My only experience of a selling at a car boot sale was many years ago when we were getting rid of all our baby stuff, our youngest was 4 months old and I did not need the wee clothes, or new born baby equipment. I also had far too much other baby equipment for two children to need as my cousin dumped all her old stuff on me! Yes, the car was soon surrounded before we set up but my husband was able to hold them off just long enough for me to open the car boot and stand guard.

Most things went quickly and we did a tip run on the way home to get rid of the rest.

Ironically, two months later I discovered that I was pregnant again and we had to buy new things!

I never put prices on stuff, just have a good idea what I hope to get. Can sort of judge if they are going to haggle, or just pay what you ask.

I always smile, don’t push myself forward too much, but look available if interested. If stall holders just sit on their chair, no eye contact, looking at their phones, people often just walk on.

If you are not confident don’t do it! The first one we did I packed the table first….duh! We lost a lot of things to light fingered people before we even knew what was happening.

I did them in Middlesex, at a school indoors. Never went home without a £100 even after the bacon buttie. We don’t get up at 5 and start making sandwiches and flasks whilst loading the boot. Did one on my own in Notting Hill. Was so worried about needing the toilet for a No. 1. It soon poured down and I had loads of posh umbrellas and children’s anoraks. Kerching. Was home before needing the loo. It’s very friendly so if on your own the person on the next stall is usually happy to defend your goods for 5 minutes. Give it a go.

The first one I did there were three of us trying to sell our bits and pieces.
The second and last I did on my own but was aware the dealers would descend on me so make sure your car is locked. I refused to drive on until they moved so they swarmed onto somebody else.
I had everything priced the previous day and because my prices were so reasonable I had little haggling.
The admission price then was a tenner and that was easily made in the first 10 minutes. I was selling mainly books which were in superb condition and newish.
The charity shops are now benefiting because I can no longer stand for very long.

We loved them when we did the occasional one, years ago.
As people have said, the dealers do get right into the car boot, whilst you are trying to unload. Definitely need someone with you though.
If you can find a friend, you will be fine, and enjoy it.

I used to love doing them when my husband was still alive. We once did one where there was a football match that our son was playing in, so he was in the back seat of the car. Folk descended on us in droves, reaching into the car. My son said he`d never felt so embarrassed in his life! Another time we borrowed my daughter`s trailer that she`d bought for transporting her mobility scooter. She paid £225 secondhand for it, someone offered hubby £10 for it!

Thanks for your suggestions. I did think about asking my sister to come with me, but she lives further away from the site than me in the opposite direction ! Back to online selling I suppose.

Always always take someone with you you be inundated as soon as you park up and TRY to set up you table,keep you eyes on your stuff as people are not honest all of the time.

I last did one after we cleared the last house we sold yrs ago we went for about 4 week-ends in total and made a tidy sum in the end,good luck.

Definitely a two person job. The one we go to is quite generous with the parking spots, so not a worry about parking, but you need two of you to set up, keep an eye on things, watch the stall if you nip to the loo, …..

We try and do one once a year, make anything from £50 to £120 or so. Be prepared to sell stuff cheap if you don’t want to take it home.

Go early, and try to pick a fine day.

Could you ask a friend or neighbour to help? you could suggest that they take long some of their own things at the same time, share the cost of the stall etc.
Don't get stressed about the parking, not everyone gets I right first time, why not find a. quiet spot somewhere and have a practice beforehand, it will boost your confidence generally too.
Good luck at the car boot, I wish I was fit enough to do one.

My experience was exactly as Mrsluckhurst described. The dealers are relentless and need firmly fending off by someone whilst you set up.

Before our car had stopped people were pressing their face to our car windows and when we opened the doors we were inundated. Some things were broken in the crush but luckily no bones. Once you're set up all calms down to a kind of pleasant tedium. It's 20 minutes of chaos followed by 4 quiet hours of drinking tea from a flask, then going home 50 quid in pocket.

I definitely wouldn't do one on my own.

Get there early is the key, set the table or tables up! Generally you will have an hour or so to set up( depending on how early you go) you will have lots of hagglers, you will have people coming at you from all directions, you do have to watch your money pot, so I suggest wearing a bum bag round your waist!ive never done one on my own simply cos you have to have eyes in the back of your head, no everyone is honest and some things can disappear!but I found it great fun, take plenty of change! Although we took a couple of chairs to sit down we found it was too busy and much better to stand

I've done boot sales on my own and would definitely recommend having someone with you, even if it's just to help set up. I found that the dealers swarmed round me like vultures as they were there before anyone else, they pulled stuff out of the car, demanded prices, pushed stuff in my face, I didn't know where to turn! . Next time I had someone there who just kept them away until I'd just finished setting up.

I'm going to suggest the obvious. Have you asked anyone to help you/