Car boot sales

Car boot sales are often held in the grounds of schools and other community buildings, or in grassy fields or car parks. Usually they take place on weekend mornings. Sellers will typically pay a nominal fee for their pitch, and arrive with their goods in the boot (trunk) of their car, hence the name. Usually the items are then unpacked onto folding trestle tables, a blanket or tarpaulin, or simply the ground. Entry to the general public is usually free, although sometimes a small admission charge is made. Advertised opening times are often not strictly adhered to, and in many cases the nature of the venue itself makes it impossible to prevent keen bargain hunters from wandering in as soon as the first stallholders arrive.

For most dealers, less than £100 takings from a boot sale would spell disappointment, unless of course, the weather or some coinciding event, such as Wimbledon, contributed to a low customer
turnout. When you consider the small outlay for stock and the low business overheads, even a 'disappointing' £90 represents a tidy profit for a day's work.
The fluctuating rewards might not suit those supporting a family, but it can provide a very useful second or spare-time income. Amongst other advantages the car boot sale offers is the chance to be your own boss, working when and for as long as you choose, where you wish, selling whatever takes your fancy, and with no boss or work mates to create pressure or stress.

Sounds ideal, doesn't it, for anyone seeking an exit from the 'Rat Race'? But don't be deceived. It does require some effort on the trader's part. Competition exists: for customers, goods, even
venues and trading pitches. Consequently a professionalism has developed, many regular traders trying all manner of ways in which to increase
their share of the profits, getting to the venue sometimes hours in advance of others to select a prime position, customising their vehicles and even buying new ones to suit, paying great detail to selection and layout of goods, and hounding new traders for the pick of their better goods.

First and foremost, you must, if you haven't done so already, visit as many of those venues you wish to join forces with. Arrive early if you can, watch the traders drive in and set up. Look aroundat what's for sale and more importantly at what is actually selling. Where do the crowds tend to flock? Around those tatty old clothes, or that pile of toys offered appropriately, just before Christmas?

Your local newspapers, free papers, and shop windows will keep you informed of what venues are available. Some are regular weekly events, others once-off. If 'tied' to such as a rally or Carnival, the latter can be extremely lucrative propositions, but otherwise, BEWARE! The regular weekly events tend to have an established and usually growing clientele on both the buying and selling sides. These events in my area, the North East of England, are found on racecourses, car parks and in huge warehouses. They are long-established events and some, I know, are extremely viable business propositions. They must be, for I know several bric-a-brac and antique dealers who have forsaken their normal attendance's at fleamarkets, even quality fairs, in favour of spending every Saturday on our local racecourse, selling anything from bulky packets of elastic bands, to toys, stamps, books, cutlery, some even specialising in 'lower end of the market' antiques.

Once you become established in one or two venues you will find out through experience, or the advice of fellow traders, just where the best events are. Fellow traders, incidentally, with the exception
of a small minority, are not normally averse to pass on many of their secrets and to help the newcomer make the best of his chances.
They might though expect something in return, for instance trade discounts (normally 10%), or first pick of your goods, but these are normal practices between traders, and a small price to pay for the
information they impart to you.