What You Need for a Trunk Sale

A trunk sale needs more than tables for sellers and cars for stock. Plan for registration, payments, pitch marking, visitor directions, refreshments and changing weather. Bring enough signs and basic equipment to keep people moving without constant questions. The list below covers the items to buy, borrow or collect before the site opens, including supplies that are often left until the last minute.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 14
Registration desk
Crowd control barriersqty 8
Clothing racksqty 4
Coat racksqty 2
Folding cratesqty 12

Equipment

Cash boxqty 2
Payment terminal
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Megaphone
Walkie-talkiesqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Flashlightsqty 4
First aid kit
Fire extinguisherqty 2
Flashlightsqty 4
Cable reelsqty 2
Calculatorsqty 2
Pen holdersqty 2
Clipboard setsqty 4
Staplersqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 80
Teaspoonsqty 80
Cake plattersqty 50
Scissorsqty 6

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Spa Blue - 48 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Lemon juice - 2 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 kilos
- Stir sticks - 200 pieces
- Paper napkins - 500 pieces
- Unsalted butter - 2 packs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 1 kilo
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- White sandwich rolls - 60 pieces
- Currant buns - 40 pieces
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Butter cake - 6 packs
- Syrup waffles - 8 packs
- Butter cake - 6 pieces
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Toilet paper - 48 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 12 pieces

Decorations

Route signsqty 12
Parking signsqty 8
Pitch numbersqty 80
Program postersqty 20
Arrow stickersqty 40
Adhesive tapeqty 8
Ropeqty 4
Chalkqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Serving traysqty 8
Bread basketsqty 6
Ice packsqty 20

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mop setsqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Work glovesqty 8

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
String lightsqty 4

Tips

Plan one clearly marked registration desk and bring a cash box plus a payment terminal, with extension cords and power strips if either setup needs electricity. Test every payment method before sellers arrive.
Use party tents where people will register, wait or take a coffee break. Check the forecast before the sale and secure tents, signs and loose decorations with rope or adhesive tape.
Mark every seller pitch with a visible pitch number before opening. Route signs, parking signs and arrow stickers should be placed early enough for arriving drivers to follow them without staff directing every car.
Set up clothing racks, foldable tables and folding chairs before the first seller arrives, not during registration. Clothing racks are especially easy to forget when sellers expect to display garments outside their cars.
Prepare the drinks and coffee station in advance with coolers, thermos flasks, reusable cups, coffee cups, teaspoons and plates. Buy groceries according to the expected visitor count, and keep a small reserve for the busiest first hour.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a trunk sale?: At minimum, plan a registration desk, tables, chairs, pitch numbers, route signs, a cash box and a payment terminal. Add tents, barriers, clothing racks and communication equipment according to the site layout and number of sellers.
How many tables do I need for a trunk sale?: Allow at least one table for registration and one table for each shared service point, such as refreshments. Sellers usually bring their own display surfaces, so confirm this in the seller instructions before hiring extra tables.
What should I buy for refreshments at a trunk sale?: Provide coffee equipment, thermos flasks or coffee machines, cups, teaspoons, plates and groceries. For drinks, chill stock in coolers and bring reusable cups; calculate quantities from the expected visitor count and keep extra supplies for the first busy hour.
When should I prepare the signs and pitch numbers?: Prepare and label route signs, parking signs, pitch numbers and arrow stickers at least one day before the sale. Put them out after inspecting the site and confirming the final layout, so late changes do not send visitors to the wrong area.

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