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Open garage day - would it work?
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2016 8:41 pm
by lwalton
Decided to sell off my parts I have accumulated and was thinking if it does not sell as a job lot to do an open garage day with open invite to people on the forum, do you think this could work? Would there be enough interest? Or would I be wasting a day of my time? I really want the bits I have for sale to go to good homes as I have spent a small fortune collecting them and would prefer genuine enthusiasts to get the parts rather than just to be sold on.
Re: Open garage day - would it work?
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2016 9:53 pm
by Robert 352
Rules me out I suppose! A pity really.
I suspect that behind every part you have acquired there is a story to be told. I wish you luck.
(Now if you were only just around the corner..........!)
Robert
Re: Open garage day - would it work?
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2016 9:59 pm
by Jon Tilson
My take is its a bit of a trek just to be a vulture and pick over your misfortune.
I still think you should re-evaluate and try and see a way to when you could carry on having put in so much work and time.
Jon
Re: Open garage day - would it work?
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2016 10:18 pm
by lwalton
I have been looking through the restoration section and it just seems to far away to complete mine, I even looked on ebay to buy a finished sprint like the yellow one on there at the moment but even that would need bits doing, the project just doesn't seem to get anywhere no matter how much time or money I put in! I know I will regret the decision but I cannot justify the money or my time at the moment, if I had the room I would store for later but all the bits I would have restored would need doing again
Re: Open garage day - would it work?
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2016 10:39 pm
by GTS290N
Kent is the opposite end of the country for me, I've seen your list of parts and the quality is superb.
In my experience the parts will sell for good money - but you need to be able to play the waiting game, and that means storage.
Good luck.
Re: Open garage day - would it work?
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2016 11:39 pm
by lwalton
Thanks for the reply, I am in no rush for the storage I just need to get things moving so I don't change my mind!
Re: Open garage day - would it work?
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2016 9:45 am
by xvivalve
I would suggest your location is not ideal for it...but it could work
A similar event occurred a few years ago, attended mainly by some of the more local south coast members, Mad Mart and I. I forget the location as it was when I wasn't well; Mart picked me up from the nearest station.
Good advertising of what is on offer, with pictures, well in advance of the event would be key....or simply load up a van and come to TDCIR on 04/09/16, again, telegraphing your intent before hand; there'll be far more members there than you could ever entice to your house.
Re: Open garage day - would it work?
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2016 10:28 am
by tangocharlie1
It was in Trowbridge Alun and he made a few quid out of us that day.

Re: Open garage day - would it work?
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2016 10:38 am
by xvivalve
Indeed Chris, I recall everyone seemed happy when we left, even I who carried an exhaust system home by train. (though I also recall getting it into Mart's car was the first challenge!)
Though had you asked me at 9 am this morning had I ever been to Trowbridge, the answer would have been a most certain 'no'! I don't suppose you recall how much I spent do you

Re: Open garage day - would it work?
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2016 2:52 pm
by lwalton
Sounds quite good fun to load up a van and come to a show, is it over two days? Do you stay at the event with your bits or is a hotel required/ sleep in the van? As soon as I am back from holiday I plan to do a full photographic inventory of what's there and attach it to the excel spreadsheet with prices etc. but the show option sounds much more fun
Re: Open garage day - would it work?
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2016 9:16 pm
by Maidstonerob
I think the van idea is a winner. The stuff you have is such good quality you would recoup far more money than you could hope to from a local garage sale. Id buy as much as i could in a heartbeat but money is ultra tight this time of year for me.
Go to the show and far more interested buyers will be there. Still sad if you have come to the end of the road. But better to get something like what the stuff is worth than some sort of fire sale
Re: Open garage day - would it work?
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2016 9:21 pm
by GTS290N
Make sure you give full details of the parts, including 'powder coated' 'passivated' etc to get the maximum interest.
Re: Open garage day - would it work?
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2016 10:54 pm
by xvivalve
The show is just the one day, recent years there have been between 50 and 70 cars with other members attending too
Re: Open garage day - would it work?
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2016 11:24 pm
by lwalton
Thanks for the advice, I will list all of the items as per spreadsheet and see how that goes then take all remaining items if any to the show. I went to the show a few times before to get parts and it always seemed busy, I do recall collecting parts from yourself at the show some years back.
Re: Open garage day - would it work?
Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 7:53 am
by tony g
Van idea with interest before hand sounds best. Take a sack truck or trolley so the buyers can transport heavier bits easily and return to you
Tony