I made £100 using Martin Lewis' car boot sale tricks and tips – I doubled my normal earnings
09/05/2024 04:30 AM
A SAVVY seller has revealed how they managed to bag £100 using Martin Lewis‘ handy car boot sale tricks.
Writing in this week’s MoneySavingExpert newsletter a Martin Lewis fan explained how they made the cash.
Car boot sales are back in fashion and are a great place to sell off your old bits and bobs.
But not everything sells and some tips could help boost your chances of making a killing.
The MSE team has a whole host of tricks to help you make the most of your unwanted clothes and nick-nacks, as the MSE newsletter reader Lorna found.
The self-proclaimed “Martin Lewis groupie” uncovered the guide when selling items from her mother-in-law’s house.
Following the advice has meant that she managed to make a whopping £100 at her local car boot sale.
This is double what she would usually make at one of the pop-up marketplaces.
She wrote to the MSE team and said: “Long-term Martin Lewis groupie.
“Recently I followed the car boot tips when selling items from my mother-in-law’s house and made £100, which is double my usual earnings.”
A main tip she found helped was pricing the items up the night before so she was prepared.
Lorna added: “This was down to sorting all the costume jewellery and pricing it beforehand, which I had not done before.”
She then thanked the team for their help.
Martin Lewis’ MSE’s handy tips for car boot selling
MSE’s handy guide lays out tips for each stage of the car boot-selling process.
Find the right event
To start with you need to make you find the right event for you, they said.
The author said: “One of my favourite ways to find a car boot sale to sell at is to keep an eye out for signs on the roadside or on roundabouts.
“Landowners will often put up a massive board with details at the edge of the field where they're holding the car boot sale.
“Websites such as Car Boot Junction can help you find sales nearby, too, as can online community sites such as Nextdoor and localised Facebook groups.”
The next step is to keep an eye on the particular sale's social media accounts if they have them, usually via Facebook or by calling if there is a phone number on the board, to make sure it's happening on the day you want to go.
Be prepared
The team also revealed what to do in advance to make more cash.
The writer continued: “There are two areas in which I'd suggest you should prepare – firstly, knowing what prices you want for items, what they're worth and what you're prepared to settle on as a middle ground.
“And secondly, in the clever packing of items in your car. Cover these two things off, and you’ll be in a prime selling position when you arrive at the sale.”
Among their top tips is doing a “night before” audit of what you're selling is essential.
This is going through what you've sorted out to sell, and the prices you expect.
You might also want to label items, either with stickers or parcel labels, MSE says this stops you from being caught off-guard by a potential buyer.
They said a key tip is bringing in the right amount of change.
In order to make a sale you may need loose change, which many of us don’t now have regularly.
So it’s key to start saving any coins and low notes ahead of time.
Setting up
The next stage is setting up to give yourself the best chances.
The writer said: “As soon as you arrive it’s a race to set up.
“Get your items displayed as soon as you can, so you are ready for when the buyers begin to flock.”
MSE rounded up three things to remember:
- Have that bum bag on, and change ready
- Lock your car if you have valuables in it
- Pour a cup of tea or coffee from that flask to get your energy levels up
Also, they reckon you stand a better chance of selling your items if they're easy for the buyer to see and reach.
Another lesson learned by the author is pricing in groups, such as “three for a quid”.
Holding your nerve
The writer added that as a seller, your bargaining is about getting the most money you can – within reason.
They said: “I've been at car boot sales where someone offers 10p for an item labelled £1, and £1 for something I've labelled a tenner.
“The push and pull of buyer vs seller is very much a thing, and of course, we're all keen to haggle.
“As a seller, you want as much as possible, but you also want rid of things.”
One of the main things you can do is “get haggle savvy”.
Before you begin, they recommended reading up on MSE’s haggling tips.
They added: “Remember that haggling is very personal, so try and keep an element of respect.
“Your haggle game hinges on whether you want to just offload stuff or sell loads for profit.”
Also, the team says you need to be prepared to lower your prices, with a minimum in mind.
So, think about whether you really want rid of the item, and therefore if accepting a lower price ‘frees’ you of it.
Car boot selling tips
ARRIVE EARLY
The early bird catches the worm, and in this case, the best bargains. Some car boot sales open as early as 5am, so make sure you do your research before heading out.
HAGGLE POLITELY
Most sellers are open to negotiationHowever, you should always approach haggling with a friendly attitude. A polite ‘Could you do any better on the price?’ often works wonders.
BRING CASH
Using cash helps you stick to a budget if you're worried about overspending and ensures you don't miss out on a deal just because you can't pay.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO WALK AWAY
If the price isn't right, don't feel pressured to buy. There are plenty of stalls and many more treasures waiting to be discovered.
BE FRIENDLY
Take your time to browse and chat – it can make the whole experience more enjoyable, and you'll find out some unusual stories for the wares on sale.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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