THE SMARTER SHOPPER in Hull

Charity Begins at Home... A few local ideas

Sun in Hull…enough to put a smile on your face.

Three Thrifty Ways To Shop and
Four Thought Provoking Questions!

Your junk could be another man's treasure…

Now the weather has changed to typically cold and wet for this time of year I am reminded of our summer outings and wanted to share this with you.

In our depressing economy everyone is looking to save a few pennies or make some extra pocket money. I am no different, in fact I am a sucker for any sort of sale!

I regularly visit "Car Boot Sales." These are a mainly British form of market where private individuals come together to sell household goods.

I do so love the hustle bustle of these sales, the many chattering people, the constant searching through the goods, the bartering that follows, and the excitement at the end of the day, tired and worn out but elated and jubilant as you pack your car boot bargains! We don't need to travel to far to our nearest Car Boot Sale. Nearly every day of the week, within a short car journey there is a sale/market of some sort. Most kick off at around 6.00 or 7.00 am - You do need to get there early, we found if you do, you can choose the better pitches… i.e. for customers, sun, shade etc! The biggest Car Boot Sale we have is sited on an expanse of land used for our annual funfair. Many cars and stalls set up twice a week on this site. New, second hand, tat, food and rogue traders all operate at the market. There is even and out of date food stall - this is very popular!

The rogue sellers wander the market selling imported cigarettes. Some have bicycles to make a quick getaway. There are also numerous stall holders selling copy DVD's. Top movies that are not available here in the UK yet. The problem is so huge that the local police only periodically raid the market. The culprits just move elsewhere. The big attraction for younger members of the family is usually ice cream….sold from an ice-cream van, low quality, whippy foam!

I loathe it, Raffi will eat this enthusiastically even at 8.00 am in the morning!

Other Car Boot Sales we go to are often held in the playgrounds of schools and other community centres, or in grassed fields or pub car parks. Depending on where the sale is sited (in the city) will depend on how affluent buyers and sellers are. The more exclusive neighbourhoods tend to produce better quality items. To sell, you pay a nominal fee, here in Hull £6 a pitch. This includes space to set up a trellis table in front of your car. Then you can display your goods for sale. Entry to the general public is usually free, although sometimes a small admission charge is made. Anyone can sell their goods at a car boot sale, whether a first-timer, a regular, or a seasoned professional. Often home owners moving house sell at car boot sales to clear unwanted goods or perhaps goods from the home of a deceased relative.

I am truly amazed every week what people sell or expect you to buy and their brazenness at how they try and sell it! Do I really want broken crockery or a faulty light fitting? I think not. But hey, there are plenty that do!

I have found over the years, bartering for goods is common place and now almost expected. Perhaps because of the influx of different nationalities into this city, and their different attitude to buying and selling, has changed peoples view of the 'fixed price' syndrome. I am comfortable bartering here in the UK but find it hard abroad. High pressure selling techniques used in markets abroad is common place. It makes me very nervous!

Looking at the USA, it seems common place to hold garage/yard sales, I was aware of these, but not aware that in some cities, such as Beverly Hills, California, and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania , homeowners are required to apply and pay for a yard sale permit, and even with that homeowners in Beverly Hills can only hold yard sales in the back of their homes.

Other sorts of sales that are generally peculiar to the UK are "Jumble Sales," an event at which second hand goods are sold, usually by an institution such as a local Scout or Brownie Group, school or church, as a fundraising or charitable effort. Local people are asked to donate goods, which are set out on tables in the same manner as Car Boot Sales, and sold to members of the general public. There is usually a charge of around 50p to enter the sale. Jumble Sales are becoming less prevalent in the UK, as Car Boot Sales and the World Wide Web enable people to sell their unwanted goods rather than donate them to charity…. …which leads me nicely into my final alternative place to shop!

In the UK we have a British Institution called "The Charity Shop". These are shops selling mainly second-hand donated goods/clothes to raise funds for their parent charities. Traditionally, charity shops used to occupy unpopular shops in low traffic areas, but now the majority are not only permanent, but are often in prime trading locations. We have 6 charity shops at the top of our street. Probably the most well know charity shop is Oxfam, first opened in 1947/48, in Oxford, England, and is still in operation today. Charity shops can be found on most high streets throughout the country.

Those were my Three Thrifty Ways to Shop…. and now

Four Thought Provoking Questions…

1. Where do you shop for your second hand bargains?
2. Is there a stigma attached to "buying other peoples clothes?"
3. Do you donate your clothes to a charitable cause?
4. Are you wearing anything second hand right now?

Well that is it, as always comments very much appreciated, have a great evening and thank you for reading.



Written By ~Sue Raphael's Mum~