From 3 Days to 5: Our First Jersey Roadshow Trip Exceeds Expectations

Our First Trip Across the Channel

This month, we took our roadshows across the channel to the beautiful island of Jersey. With three days planned across St Helier, St Brelade’s Bay and St Martin, and five of our experienced appraisers ready to go, we were set to welcome hundreds of friendly faces through the doors of our venues.

As our first time hosting roadshow events on the island, we didn’t quite know what to expect - but what we thought would be a standard three-day schedule quickly turned into something much bigger.

What Brought Us to Jersey

Three years after WeBuyVintage was founded, and following thousands of successful roadshows across the UK, we brought together a team of some of our most experienced buyers, operational staff and creatives for something new - our first trip to Jersey.

Expanding beyond the mainland marked an exciting milestone for us. It gave us the opportunity to connect with a wider audience and bring the WeBuyVintage experience to the island for the very first time - something that, as we soon discovered, had been missing for many locals for a long time.

The Plan Vs Reality

For the week, we had three busy roadshows planned:

• Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, St Helier - Tuesday 21st April

• St Brelade’s Bay Hotel - Wednesday 22nd April

• St Martin’s Methodist Church - Friday 24th April
  

Our first day in St Helier immediately set the tone. With footfall far exceeding expectations, it quickly became a record-breaking day for WeBuyVintage - with a constant flow of customers and thousands of pounds paid out, back into the pockets of the local people of Jersey.

By the second day at St Brelade’s Bay, there were no signs of slowing down and it was clear that the demand wasn’t going anywhere either. It was Thursday we made the decision to extend our trip, adding two additional dates - taking us from three to five roadshows!

This meant all hands on deck, both in Jersey and back in the UK. The team on the ground moved quickly to organise logistics - securing venues for the additional dates, extending accommodation, and arranging secure storage for the growing volume of items. Meanwhile, our UK Marketing team delivered a rapid turnaround of promotional assets to ensure the extra dates were advertised to the residents of Jersey, and were just as well attended as the first three days.

Five Days, Hundreds of Stories

Across the five days, our team of five appraisers had the pleasure of greeting everyone who came through the doors - hearing the stories behind each item and ensuring every visitor had a personal, welcoming experience. 

From jewellery and watches to coins, militaria and vintage toys, the variety of items we saw was incredible. Edd, our Business Development Manager and Expert Antiques Appraiser, said one of his standout pieces from the five days was a 1970s pocket calculator - a reminder of how quickly everyday items can become fascinating pieces of history that spark bittersweet nostalgia. 

Edd, along with our other experts, Gary, Kate, Rebecca and Andrew represented WeBuyVintage brilliantly throughout, helping the average customer walk away with over £1,000!  Across the week, the scale of interest and engagement made this not only our busiest week of the year so far, but crowned St Helier for having the highest footfall and St Martin for the value delivered back to customers.

A Glimpse Behind The Scenes

While the five roadshows kept us incredibly busy, the team also managed to make the most of their time on the island. Between events, there were a few opportunities to explore Jersey, enjoy team dinners and reflect on what had already been a hugely successful few days.

Even with the extended schedule, it was still business as usual in many ways - including hosting a board meeting during the trip and balancing day-to-day operations. The fast-paced nature was no small task, but one the team handled seamlessly.

Listening To The Residents of Jersey

Speaking to hundreds of people across Jersey, one thing became clear - events like this don’t come to the island often. That played a big part in the success of each day, with strong demand from the moment we opened the venue doors, right up until close.

As always, customer feedback played a key role in shaping our decisions. After hearing from visitors, some who were stopping by during short lunch breaks, we recognised the need for more availability. This directly influenced our decision to extend the trip and introduce additional dates, ensuring more people had the opportunity to attend whilst we were there. 

Not only were many attendees over the moon with their valuations, so many also had kind words to say about our appraisers’ honest approaches, the wonderfully warm welcome received by our Events Assistant Christine, as well as the delicious array of refreshments available throughout the day.

Keeping Jersey On The Map

Following the success of our first trip, Jersey has firmly cemented itself as an important location for future roadshows.

What started as a three-day visit quickly became something bigger, and a clear reminder of the demand for what we do beyond the mainland. We’re incredibly proud of what the team achieved during the week, and we’re already looking forward to returning in the near future. 

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended one (or more) of our roadshows in Jersey - putting people back into the heart of selling is why we exist, and we wouldn’t be able to do it without all of you! 

If you would like to know when we’re next in your area, simply pop your postcode into our website to see your selling options - https://www.webuyvintage.co.uk/selling-options