Bonsai Car Boot Sale - This weekend in UK

Ian_Homer

Just a notice to our UK Viewers (particularly in the Midlands).....

This Sunday 18th March sees the Annual Bonsai Car Boot fair, to be held from 8am on the CAR PARK at Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Edgbaston.

It is a few weeks earlier this year, so please be aware.

I will be going myself to dispose of some surplus Trees & Pots... hopefully to
gain some additional funds to buy some "nice material" later in the year.

Normally a good source of bargains

Regards,
Ian.

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Graydon

For those of us on the "other" side of the pond... what is a car boot fair? Sounds fun!

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Ian_Homer

Wow, there is a gap in the market in the US then !!! - I'm coming over

"Car Boots" are literally events where Joe Public turns up in a Car or Small Van, then takes a "pitch" for about $10. Roll out all your unwanted or surplus things onto a Decorators table or on the floor and wait for the buyers.

Can be a good source of "cash" to fund the purchase of other things.

Quite apt in my case, since I have been reducing down the number of trees I have and concentrating on more mature and "expensive" material.

It is something of a Sunday ritual over here in the UK, but more usually associated with "bric-a-brac", antiques and the like, rather than Bonsai.

I have about 20 smallish trees and 30+ Pots that are surplus to requirements, so a bit of fun "haggling" over prices for a few hours.

Regards,
Ian.

darrellw

So in "American", a bonsai swap meet!

Graydon

Wow. No - don't come here, I'll come over there to see how it's really done.

We do have similar but here they call them flea markets. People set out tables in an area and sell from the tables, cars and trucks but in an American way - too organized and too predictable. Never much to find other than someone else's junk.

I think it can be compared to sidewalk vendors in questionable areas in Manhattan perhaps. They toss a blanket or tarp and lay out the goods. Some shady stuff (bootleg DVD, potentially stolen stuff etc.) and some junk but never bonsai.

Have a great time and best of luck. Post some shots if you buy anything! Perhaps some shots of good ole Joe Public...

Thanks Ian!

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Alasdair

And this happens every year? Why wasn't i told about this! When at home i'm only half an hour away from this event but find myself around 100 miles away at the moment.

Maybe next year then.

Al

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I can feel another "I wish that was my tree" moment coming on...
Currently studying BSc Plant Biology at the Universty of Wales, Aberystwyth

Larry

I have seen similar in the states on TV, I guess theyre called Car Trunk sales tho

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PatArizona

"Swap Meet" here in Southern Arizona..."Flea Market" in Northern California.

But it's turned in weekly events, with some people setting up regular specialty shops...clothes, tools, whatever. But, still, the original...selling out of a car, or van, or from a tarp on the ground.

But never a "Bonsai Swap Meet".

However, there do be bonsai club swap meets from time to time...

Pat

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THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life.