Electrical goodsWe advise consumers not to buy items such as electric fires, electric blankets and irons at boot sales; so unless the item has a reputable recent source, we would caution strongly against its sale.
If selling electrical items make sure they are tested in advance before saying so. If they are not tested be honest and say you are not sure. Bring a plastic sheet in case it rains, this will help protect your goods. Once you have sold all your items or wish to leave you are free to do so.
What are you not allowed to sell at a car boot sale?
NO COUNTERFEIT OR STOLEN GOODS – This is illegal and unwelcome on our site. NO WEAPONS OR DANGEROUS ITEMS – We will remove them and give to the police. NO LIVE ANIMALS – Under any circumstances at all. NO NEW GOODS – This is a car boot not a market.
Bric-a-brac, clothes, books and toys are all car boot sale staples. However, it can be surprising what sells well, so even if you think an item is not worth anything, it may be worth bringing it along. You should avoid spending all of your profits on buying more items from other sellers.
On the other hand if somebody regularly attends car boot sales (for instance every fortnight) with a view to making profits, HM Revenue & Customs will deem them t be trading and they would need to be registered as self-employed for tax and National Insurance purposes.
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.
Buyers visit car boot sales to bag a bargain, so if you have any designer or high-end items, consider selling those online instead to get a better price.
However, the law states that a car boot sale may be held on non-residential land without specific planning consent for up to 14 days within a calendar year. Be aware that a Covenant or other Legal Agreement may be attached to the use of land which may restrict such a use.
Car boot sales are known as a place to pick up bargains. If your asking price is too high you are unlikely to make many sales. A rough guide for pricing is to sell items at 10-15% of the original value. Obviously, this depends on the condition of the item but don't expect huge numbers from individual items.
If you're simply selling cakes once in a blue moon at a car boot sale or market then you don't need to worry. However, if you are planning on doing this regularly, contact your local council and ask them what the rules are. If you do have to register your kitchen, it's totally free to do so.
In particular, there are specific safety requirements for new items such as toys, cosmetics and electrical goods. You may wish to restrict the sale of electrical items to prevent fire and injury. Electrical goods don't have to have been PAT tested, but they should be safe.
You can sell food which is not to be consumed on the premises at our sales (such as homemade cakes and jams etc). However we believe that you would then definitely be considered a TRADER and be governed by the rules set out below.
This year for the first time I've been selling flower plants at the car boot sales we've had a stall at, as well as the vegetable plants that I've been selling for a few years, and they've been really popular. It's been a good way to use up some of the seeds that I've gotten free on magazines and from my seed stash.
Whether you've got Tablets, Consoles, Wearables or more, it's super easy to sell old electronics with musicMagpie! Tell us the capacity and condition of your tech to get an instant price. No auctions, no fees, no hassle!
Is it illegal to sell an electrical item without a plug?
The old red, black and green colours are undesirable as they may make the product unsafe and so illegal. Distributors and retailers including second-hand dealers and auctions must only sell appliances which are correctly fitted with an approved plug with sleeved pins and the correct fuse.
You will probably need a health and Hygiene certificate so contact your council and find out. Also contact who owns the car boot site, and see if they are allowing any more traders selling sweets.
Go early. Sellers get up at the crack of dawn to get the best spots at a car boot sale - but buyers should consider doing the same thing. If you turn up late, it's likely you'll have missed all the best bargains. Find out what time the sale starts and get there early.
If it's summer, head to all of the car boot sales which shut down from November. If it's winter, don't get disheartened, head to some indoor or all-weather car boot sales and then wait for summer to roll around.
Car boot sales are not common in America at all. At least I've never seen one. Swap meets or flea markets are more common and are sometimes held in car parks around the area.
What is the difference between a flea market and a car boot sale?
Unlike flea markets, which are usually populated by professional traders selling antiques and collectibles, the idea behind a car boot sale is that ordinary people pay a small fee - usually £7 to £15 - for a pitch big enough for a car. A higher fee is charged for bringing a van to the sale.
While Americans hold garage sales and the French have flea markets, the English have a distinctly British activity in which to sell one's personal second hand goods.
Fire Arms, Knives, Tobacco, Alcohol and Controlled Substances, Unless fully licensed to do so, with permission from National Car Boot sale organisers, it is strictly forbidden to sell any of the above items and any items that may fall into the above categories.
Some Car Boot Sale Insurance policies require ALL exhibitors to have their own Public Liability cover, If they don't the cover is null and void! This makes it impractical for all the private individuals and other casual sellers to turn up and sell at your Car Boot Sales.
Make sure sizes are clearly visible on bedding, rugs, etc.. Some people cover the tables with tablecloths and make it all look nice. This is great but price everything if you do as people might think you look like a dealer and that you'll be expensive.
