The best products to sell during a car boot sales event

The Car boot sales craze has finally caught up with Kenyans and many are wondering why they didn’t start earlier.

From Mombasa, Kisumu, Meru, Garissa, Kitale, and all the way to Nakuru, car boot sellers are busy vending their wares, especially in the evenings.

Some are even taking it a notch higher by organizing pure classical car boot sale events around the country.

Well, if you’re planning to start, here are some of the products that perform well when sold from the boots of personal cars:

• Groceries

Kenyans seem to trust traditional (kienyenji) as well as exotic vegetables sold by car boot vendors.

Fresh smelling African black nightshade, amaranth, and kunde  are just some of the dominant groceries.

Pumpkin Leaves, Cilantro ( Dania ), and even Kale ( Sukumawiki) also do well.

You can also diversify and stock fruits such as mangoes, pineapples, apples, pawpaw, oranges, watermelons, pears,  and sweet bananas alongside the vegetables.

ALSO READ: here is how to make quick cash from a car boot sale

• Fashion items

Imagine owning a contemporary boutique on wheels?

Well, whether you deal with designer jeans, sleek new shirts, or even shoes, car boots are becoming the perfect places to reach a wider audience.

In short, if you own an ex Japanese used car, you can make some side cash selling latest fashion from your car boot.

• Cutlery

Also moving fast are knives, forks, and spoons especially if you target densely populated streets. Make sure you have them in different shapes, sizes, and even colors.

And going by the number of customers flocking to the cutlery selling cars, you could soon be enjoying a dramatic transformation in your financial fortunes.

• Antiques

Old books, vintage Jewellery, and a host of ancient items often find interested buyers from car boots.

The best part?

These very rare and difficult-to-find commodities can fetch very good prices if you target the right market.

• Other wares

Toys, electronic equipment like trending earphones, and even sports equipment … The list is simply endless.

Long story short, car boot business can be a gold mine if you target the correct market and get your product decision right.

Are there specific cars built for car boot sales  business?

To put it simply, no!

Indeed, the only influential feature is a sizeable boot when buying a car for this type of trade.

Sought-after used cars brands like Toyota fielder and Toyota Probox lead the pack in most towns. This is perhaps unsurprising considering that it’s as if Kenyans were made for Toyota and Toyota was made for Kenyans…

Besides, Suzuki – popular among taxi companies such as Fikisha also has a fair presence via models like Suzuki Alto 800.

Other household names including Subaru and Volkswagen also dot car boot sales expos grounds during weekends.

You may also bump on locally new cars such as Volkswagen Polo .

That being said, you can still be creative and invent a ‘boot’ that attaches to your beloved Toyota NZE, Mazda Demio, or Impreza WRX.

How to prepare your car for a car boot sales event

There are currently no laws governing the car boot sale sector so you just need to cater for the usual essentials.

• Insurance: You automatically need an insurance policy. Of course, comprehensive insurance protects from total loss of your dear car and will give you more peace of mind.
• Cleanliness: You’re selling food commodities and buyers are sensitive to dirt. Ensure your car is sparkling clean at all times.
• Conditioning: Make sure your car is in a tip-top condition otherwise it will break down on the way to the market which could result in huge losses particularly if you’re selling perishable commodities.
• County government charges: Always pay the requisite parking and market fee lest you find yourself on the wrong side of the county government laws.

ALSO READ: new cars in Kenya (locally assembled): Where to buy, financing offers and service packages

Challenges that face car boot sales businesspeople

Nothing lacks drawbacks. For car boot sales, beware of:

• Haggling Kenyans: Some buyers are fond of haggling to the last penny.
• Unpredictable Weather: Be ready for sudden weather changes. You should specifically expect little business at the slightest hint of the rains.
• Bad days: Like every other business, there are awful days where you go home almost empty-handed. Luckily, there are days when your customers turn up in droves.
• Competition for space: Someone might take up your regular spot one day and you can do pretty little about it.

Summary

Starting a Car boot sales business can be a lucrative side hustle.

And since there are minimal restrictions, you could be your only limit.

Just be creative in terms of selecting a zone and get good products. Additionally, be professional with prospective buyers and keep promises.

With luck, you will soon be wondering why you hadn’t started earlier.