TOP TIPS FOR BUYERS

Car boot sales provide a wonderful opportunity to add to or start a collection without breaking the bank, it is worth sifting through the piles of uninteresting objects in your search. Here are some tips to help you.

Entry and Parking are FREE for buyers at our Boot Sale!*

(*and our loos are clean!)

  • THE EARLY BUYER GETS THE BARGAIN!

Speed is essential as many antique dealers trawl car boot sales early in the morning to stock their shops! But sometimes late sellers arrive when the dealers have left for breakfast and so miss late bargains! (I know someone who picked up a Victorian Seaman’s Trunk for £35 from a seller who turned up at 9.15. This was later valued at over £200). In wintertime it’s often worth taking a torch to ‘illuminate’ potential bargains!  

  • KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!

Many buyers wander around aimlessly not knowing what they are looking for. It is much easier when you know what you want!

  • KNOW THE VALUE!

How much is the item worth TO YOU? It doesn’t matter if ‘Millers Guide to Antiques’ doesn’t list what you like as long as YOU like it! You never know what might be tomorrows antique.

  • DON’T EXPECT MIRACLES!

I know a man who went to his first car boot sale and didn’t find a Ming Vase or rare antique. The next time he was luckier!

  • HAGGLE!

In certain countries there is no such thing as a price ticket. Customers are expected to haggle over the price – This is the norm at car boot sales. Practice at home on the kids!

  • TAKE PLENTY OF LOOSE CHANGE!

At the start of the day many stallholders are short of change, maybe they’ll accept a lower price in exchange for badly needed change! It may be worth putting your change into a money belt as this frees you hands to explore!

  • TAKE CARRIER BAGS!

Unlike your local supermarket, many sellers don’t have a limitless supply of carrier bags, or if they do they might not be suitable for heavier or breakable items. If you are hunting for breakable items like china, take along a ‘frozen food padded bag’ that are available from most supermarkets, this may just save you taking home broken china. 

  • ALL THAT GLISTENS IS NOT GOLD!

Many items are marked ‘COLLECTORS PIECE’ or ‘LIMITED EDITION’. Is this true or just a marketing ploy? Be careful how you spend your hard earned-cash. Chipped or broken goods are rarely valuable, look for evidence of breakages or mending.

  • ENJOY YOURSELF!

 

We are talking about a couple of hours spent in the delightful North Hertfordshire countryside amongst friendly people, not a trip to the dentist! Smile and the world will smile back.