I’m an antiques expert – here’s everything you need to know for a successful car boot sale
With the trunk sale season in full swing, it’s the perfect time to clean the house and turn unused clothes, gifts and sundries into cash.
After all, it’s been said that one person’s junk is another’s treasure, which means savvy bargain hunters may be looking for something hidden.
Gems have been collecting dust in your cupboard.
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Selling auto booths can be as simple as opening and setting up, but knowing a few simple tips and tricks can help you maximize your profits and ensure that your weekend 5 a.m. alarm works. desert.
Speaking with Fabulous Digital, Antony Charman, antiques expert and founder of Vintage Cash Cow, shared everything you need to know to successfully sell your trunk…
Start with cleaning the house
The trunk expert notes that signing up for a trunk sale is a great way to motivate yourself to clear out all of your household clutter and free up some much needed space.
He advises: “If you are struggling to know where to start, grab a notebook and list the rooms that need to be organized.
“Then let’s break it down further – what specific areas need classification?
“In the bedroom, for example, this could be the drawer under your bed, your vanity drawer, and your dresser.”
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“Get some boxes, label them ‘sell’, ‘donate’ or ‘recycle/dispose of’ and start sorting.
“Mark each room/area as you go to keep it organized.”
Anthony goes on to say that while keeping it organized, keeping your trunk’s top-selling items in mind will help you attract a steady stream of customers to your store.
“These typically include clothes, shoes, jewelry, accessories, unused cosmetics, children’s toys, baby products, decorations, books, CDS & DVDs, games and consoles.
Guide to the front trunk
The trunk expert says that after choosing the trunk of the car to come, you should go there as a buyer, before setting up your own booth.
“This will help you see what types of items are being sold, where the stalls are the most crowded, and how sellers are pricing their items,” he says.
Anthony recommends even chatting with regular salespeople to see if you can get some location-specific tips.
Know the value of your item
The antique expert goes on to note that if you suspect any of your pieces might be worth a decent amount of money, consider doing some research before you go.
Keep in mind the top-selling items of the trunk…these items typically include clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, unused cosmetics, children’s toys, products for for kids, decorations, books, CDS & DVDs, games and consoles
Antony Charman
He explains: “The trunk sale is full of professional resellers who will be able to spot valuable items.
“If they can see that you don’t know the true value of the item, they will probably try to haggle for you, get yourself a bargain, and sell it back at a profit.
“This is especially true for silver and gold jewelry, watches, limited edition toys and games, dolls, comic books, rare coins and stamps, collectibles, historical items , ornaments, porcelain and glassware.”
Anthony warns that in some cases it’s better to sell them online, where they’re likely to get you a better deal.
Get there as soon as possible
Everyone knows trunk sales start at dawn, so the antiques expert recommends maximizing your chances of a sale by getting there as early as possible.
“The pitches are often on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning there are often long lines of cars waiting to get in and grab the best spaces,” he explains.
“Getting there late can mean being left with a suburban space, less traffic and fewer sales opportunities.”
He added: “Plus, having to set up your booth while surrounded by punters will only confuse you.
“Early in the morning is often the most profitable time to sell, as this is when serious, regular buyers will come their way.”
Plan your pricing strategy
While you don’t necessarily have to price each individual item, Anthony says having a vague idea of what you’re aiming for can be helpful.
Otherwise, he warns that you could end up feeling confused and accepting a trivial offer for something you know is more worthwhile.
“Also, be realistic with your rates – you don’t want to go home with a full car,” he says.
“Typically, you can expect to get 10–15% of an item’s original value.”
He goes on to say that if in doubt, think about how much you’re actually willing to pay if you’re on the buyer’s side.
“Remember that regular car dealers will be willing to haggle,” he adds.
“Always start with a slightly higher price than you really expect, as this gives them a chance to cheat you.
“For example, if you want to get £2.50 off an item, you can start from £4.”
Take some change
Anthony explains that trunk sales are one of the few remaining that relies solely on cash sales.
He explains: “This means newcomers often miss out on sales because they don’t have enough spare change to return from the £10 or £20 note.
Be realistic with your prices…you can usually expect to get 10–15% of the item’s original value
Antony Charman
For that reason, Anthony recommends going to your bank and asking for a transfer of £25 or so to change into change.
“Once you start selling, your coin supply will increase,” he continued.
“Instead of leaving all your change in the bin on your counter, use a small crossbody bag to make sure it stays safe and secure.”
Prioritize presentation
Anthony explains that the more eye-catching and organized your booth is, the more visitors you will attract.
“Not many people are willing to rummage through miscellaneous items for hours,” he said.
“Try to organize your store by item type.
“For example, you might have a table or clothes rack organized by size or color, a box that holds all your books, and some tarps on the floor to display children’s toys.
“You can even use signs to label each category.”
Trunk experts also recommend washing or wiping everything down before going to the trunk sale.
“While buyers won’t expect everything to be in pristine condition, you won’t be selling items covered in dust or clothes that are clearly unwashed or soiled,” he points out.
Have a plan for whatever remains
Anthony says you’ll likely have at least a few unsold items at the end of the trunk sale.
But instead of letting them clutter your home again, Anthony suggests: “Pack them in organized boxes, and if they don’t make you a lot of money elsewhere, leave them out. at the charity shop or recycling center on the way home.”
He goes on to say that for items that may have resale value, consider listing them on online auction sites.
“Vinted, Depop, and eBay are great places to sell clothes, while jewelry, watches, sunglasses, toys, coins, cameras and watches can be sent to Vintage Cash Cow for free, Who will price and buy your items?
from you,” he added.