Horsey car boot sales? Worth it for selling stuff?

dollymix

dollymix

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As title really, I have lots or surplus gear I want to get tried of and the opportunity to attend a horsey car boot this weekend

Are they worth it? Or do you get everyone expecting to pay absolute rock bottom? I’m not planning on ripping anyone off...myself included haha

I have a mixture of stuff, rugs, saddle, girth, bits of tack. All good condition. I have thrown away stuff I wouldn’t use myself
 
I did one or two and found there was so much competition I really didn't sell anything much. If I was going to sell again I would go to a general one, since there are so many horse owners in this country now there will always be someone interested in what you have, and not so much competition
 
If you have stuff that you just want rid of, then they're fine. If your stuff is worth a bit, you probably won't get what you want for it.
 
I did one once and made quite a lot of money for what was essentially rubbish! Even my old rugs, labelled as not waterproof and with circingles missing sold for a fiver each.

I’d say if you do it, make sure everything is laid out so it’s easy to see and labelled with size. I can’t stand having to rummage and generally avoid stalls that just have it all in a heap. I look for good quality things and am prepared to pay a fair price for it so I’d say it’s not just for cheap stuff.

The best bit about them is that you get to have first dibs on everyone else’s stuff as you’ll be there long before the buyers.
 
I did one once. My sister came along to help and brought some general stuff - smelly gift sets etc that she got hundreds of for Xmas- and she sold everything. I sold 3 head collars and a bit. Everything was laid out, labelled, priced and sized but the majority of my stuff is showing stuff so wasn't of interest to the normal horse person.
 
I did one recently, and it was worth it. I shared a table, so only paid £5 and made around £35 if I remember correctly. I managed to sell all three rugs of my former pony, plus some other odds and ends. I also took quite a few small bits back home again, despite being priced very low (50p). I think small items are more difficult to sell because it's not easy for people to spot what they are after (or to dig through many buckets full of bits to find the right kind and size...), while numnahs, rugs etc. are easy to spot from a distance.
All the stuff I brought to sell was too good to throw, but I was more interested in finding it a new home where it would still be used (hate to throw stuff that's still good), and less about making money, and everything was priced accordingly, and labelled. For branded items with value to the right buyer, I'd go with ebay.
I also managed to grab a bargain with a nuumed numnah in near-new condition for £2.50. So I left a happy.
 
There is a large one about 30 minutes from me, and it is well attended. Last time I went I took about £80. I still have loads to get rid of - would take me ages to do it all via facebook so it is worth doing.
 
I've done a couple - if you have quality branded stuff then forget it, people aren't interested, they just want to pay £5 for a turnout rug.

I made most of my money by selling my stuff to a guy who had a stand and knew he had customers for what I was selling.

I had a much better success selling rugs on eBay.
 
I think its worth it if you need to get rid of quite a lot of things quickly, but my experience is that you don't get as good money as you do selling on line. I had people coming up to me asking if they could have things for next to nothing, so its almost like giving stuff away. I wanted to clear space in my tack room so was just happy to see things go to someone who wanted them. I got the impression some of the buyers were probably looking for items to sell online.
 
We have them round here and I have been to a few but never sold myself, some have new stuff or really good quality second-hand, and then you get absolute rubbish fit for a bonfire, I have bought some lovely stuff and paid decent money for it, best bargain was eskadron leg pads and bandages £3 each the girl had a whole box of them all used but good condition.

I would try and find someone to share your pitch with you so half the cost.
 
Agree with all the above, all ours was washed and polished and not expensive as we just didn’t want to take it home, shared the pitch and friend bought lots of good brand but well worn tshirts, top, jeans, she sold everything we hardly sold anything. Next door had heaps of filthy smelly rugs, wouldn’t have put on any of mine, and they nearly cleared the lot( not good makes either). Came to the conclusion there’s no logic to it
 
I’ve done a tack same at Merrist Wood and that was ok. Shared a pitch with a friend and made about £70 and she made about £100. I might have made more at the actual sale but someone at the yard bought a load of stuff that I was taking before I could get it there. It was great just to get rid of stuff I would never use again or never really liked and make a small amount of money.
 
I went to one last weekend with good quality clean items and made over £150. There was some absolute tat on some of the stands though. Piles of filthy rugs, old saddles, numnahs and girths that hadn't been washed and were crusty with sweat and leather work that had seen better days but people still bought it. I only had one woman try to walk off without paying for something so eyes on stock at all times needed.
 
It is probably worth taking chance on a dirty rug selling for £10-£15 if it is the right size and type and then paying £15 to have it cleaned if it fits. I'm not sure Id take that chance if I had to fork out £25-£30, ie cleaned by the seller and the cost passed on. Not that I've ever bought a dirty rug, but I can understand why people do.
 
We do them for our charity. We have regular traders who come with us everytime and buyers who come early for bargains. Its a good event for horsey people and a social time for them.
 
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