Car boot sales have become a popular weekend activity across the UK, offering buyers a chance to score second-hand treasures at bargain prices. For enthusiasts such as Estelle Keeber from Leicestershire, who have a passion for these beauty markets, the hunt is what drives them to enter. They want the thrill of finding the hidden gems. Keeber is a 41-year-old entrepreneur who operates a booming social media marketing firm. She talks about her love of car boot sales, with tips on how to tackle these hectic scenes like a pro.
Car boot sales have an extremely diverse variety of sellers and buyers that create a culture perfect for trading. Knowing how these types of sales work can greatly improve your experience and save you big bucks. By using these targeted strategies, buyers can minimize competition, save money, and find the most desirable homes.
The Art of Haggling
Haggling is an essential part of the car boot sale experience. Buyers need to be mindful of the entire negotiation process. Creating a baseline from which to make offers is key. Real estate experts recommend starting your negotiations about 25% under the listing price. This strategy leaves space for negotiation while still honoring the seller’s appraisal.
Karl Baxter, chief executive of Wholesale Clearance UK, insists there is an art form to haggling that requires a bit of tact.
“When haggling, which sellers expect, never ask ‘would you take?’ If an item is £10, don’t ask if they’ll take £5 – they’ll just counter your low offer.” – Karl Baxter
Baxter encourages buyers to come into negotiations willing to compromise with sellers in order to develop a collaborative. Plus, asking for bundle discounts when you buy several items from one stall often helps you save even more.
Dan Hatfield, another car boot aficionado, identifies one of the most productive bargaining tactics to employ when you have cash currency on hand.
“Having a load of change in your pocket can also work as an excellent bartering tool. When someone physically sees the money and knows they won’t have to use their float to give you change, it’s a much more powerful bargaining tip than many people realise.” – Dan Hatfield
Timing and Location Matter
For buyers, the timing of your visit to a car boot sale can be crucial in determining the selection and quality of products available. Because weekly sales typically have a clean slate of stock to work with, there’s a wider variety of items available. Pro tip from FieldTrips.FM’s expert partners—plan for a full day so you can see and do more!
Karl Baxter reminds everyone how critical it is to be one of the first in line at these sales.
“Always try to be one of the first in the queue. Go to the stall with what you want to buy most. So head straight for clothing to find cheap branded items, jewellery for potential gems, or bric-a-brac for antiques. If you arrive later than an hour after opening, you’ve probably missed the boat.” – Karl Baxter
Buyers, be on your toes out there! Most car boot sales have an entry fee, varying depending on the time of day. Often, these fees are most expensive during early morning hours when demand starts to wane and foot traffic is at its max.
Researching and Evaluating Purchases
Just like any smart buyer, intelligent procurement professionals will want to do their homework on what’s available before making commitments. Taking advantage of eBay’s finished/completed sales search can offer great information as to what former branded items have resold for. Equipping them with this information can help buyers make fully informed decisions about how they want to spend their dollars.
Whether it’s a car, jewelry or something else, Keeber wants buyers to get everything appraised and checked out before making a purchase. This is particularly important for electronic goods.
“Buyers should ask to see items working before purchasing, especially for items that will be plugged in,” – Estelle Keeber
Furthermore, sellers may be more receptive to offers on seasonal items as they approach the end of their relevant season. Another aspect timing is important for is in when buyers come to visit. It affects what kinds of things they are searching for.