While many outdoor car boot sales are seasonal (typically running from spring to autumn), several operate all year round, especially those with hard-standing ground or indoor facilities. Dedicated, year-round, and indoor/outdoor events are common, allowing for winter trading, though hours may be reduced or weather-dependent.
We run at least two car boots a week, every week through the whole year. In the winter we do car boots on Saturday and Sunday and in the Spring, Summer and Autumn you can catch up with the action every week on Tuesday and Friday as well as Saturday and Sunday.
An open-air market, or car boot sale, is defined as a place where people buy and sell items in the open air and has 5 or more: stalls. stands. vehicles (whether movable or not)
Yes, car boot sales (or car boot/flea markets) are legal in many places, but they are typically regulated and require licenses or permissions from local councils, especially for organizers, with specific rules for sellers (like selling personal items vs. commercial goods) and sometimes restrictions on frequency or benefiting charities. The legality hinges on adhering to local council regulations, obtaining necessary permits, following rules about types of goods sold, and complying with planning permissions for the land used, which often allows for a limited number of sales per year without a full planning application.
Yes, haggling is expected and completely normal at car boot sales; it's part of the fun, and sellers often price items with negotiation in mind, especially if they don't want to take unsold goods home. You should always be polite, offer a reasonable counter-offer (especially for bundles or at the end of the day), and don't be afraid to ask for a better price, as sellers are usually happy to make a deal to clear stock.
It's like real life eBay or Vinted... as a regular car boot seller I find them the perfect combo of making money and a fun day out. And with spring arriving there's no better time to try and sell your stuff.
An occasional sale is a group of 5 or more trade stalls that are not on a highway or in a building. This might be a small market or a car boot sale. To organise an occasional sale, you need a licence unless the proceeds are entirely for charitable, sporting, religious or political causes.
How much to charge for clothes at a car boot sale?
To decide how much to charge, just have a look at typical prices online for secondhand goods like the ones you're trying to sell. Or, if you know how much you paid for the item(s), a good rule of thumb is to charge 10% of what you paid. Most items at car boot sales don't have price tags.
The part of the car used to hold items you won't need access to without stopping the vehicle is called the boot in the UK, and the trunk in the US. These words may be different, but their meaning is incredibly similar when taken back to their origins.
Some people claim there are two primary car selling “seasons.” One is the period from January through April when people are getting their tax refunds. The other is August through September before the holiday seasons kicks into high gear.
🚗 Long & Unpredictable Hours – Expect to work weekends, evenings, and holidays, as those are the busiest times for car buyers. 🚗 Pressure to Hit Sales Targets – Dealerships often have strict sales quotas, and managers push for results. If you don't like high-pressure environments, it can be stressful.
The "best" car boot in the UK depends on what you're looking for, but top contenders often cited for size and atmosphere include Arminghall Car Boot Sale (Norwich) for its massive scale, Brighton Racecourse for a lively Sunday market, and Battersea Boot (London) for vintage finds and dealer secrets. Other highly-rated options for specific regions or features are Stickney (Lincolnshire) for value, Manchester City Car Boot for bargains, and specialized events like the Classic Car Boot Sale for vintage style.
The research also found that the average person selling at a car boot sale came away with £110 in profit: there is, it seems, money to be made. For many car booters, though – whether they're selling, buying to resell or simply sourcing second-hand to keep costs down – it is often not solely about the money.
Are you allowed to sell new goods? It is fine if you bring along unwanted gifts that are deemed new. However, we are not a market and do not wish to have market stalls within our Car Boot Sales. Our Car Boot Sales are very well attended because our customers enjoy picking up their second hand and retro gear!
