A standard, safe float for a car boot sale is £20 to £40, consisting mainly of small change (50p, £1, £2 coins) and £5 notes. This allows you to give change for early, higher-value notes and ensures you don't miss sales on cheaper items, as buyers often try to use large notes for small purchases.
To figure out exactly how much cash float you need, calculate your expenses, determine your payment timelines, and see how much inventory you have on hand. Every business's calculation will look a little different.
A car boot sale pitch price varies significantly by location and type, typically ranging from £10 to £30 for a standard car pitch, with some larger spaces costing more, and even cheaper options for just a walking pitch without a vehicle, so it's best to check the specific sale's website. Expect to pay more for larger pitches (like side-on or double) or if you're bringing a van, and potentially get a slight discount for pre-booking online.
People expect to find bargains at car boot sales, so don't price unreasonably high. But, don't underprice – be prepared to haggle. Research prices beforehand on marketplaces like Gumtree, eBay, Vinted, and Facebook to get a good idea of what someone would pay online.
Do you have to declare earnings from a car boot sale?
If you're occasionally selling personal possessions via an online marketplace, perhaps old vinyl records or football programmes on eBay, clothes on Vinted or other unwanted things from your loft or garage at car boot sales, no tax is payable. You're just selling off your personal possessions.
Keep material and brand in mind, too. Leather will sell for more, and remember to include any great coats in your sale description. Shoes for adults should be priced at $3 to $7, depending on style and wear.
Find a good one! There isn't much point going to all the effort of prepping for a sale if the organisers don't do their bit to get buyers through the door. ...
The best time to go to a car boot sale depends on your goal: arrive as early as possible (often before dawn/opening) for the best selection and first pick of goods, but for a quieter experience and bigger bargains (especially on unsold items), go midway through or near closing time, though you'll have less choice. Early birds get the best items, while latecomers snag the deepest discounts as sellers try to get rid of stock.
On the day: Set up early, and check that everyone knows what they are doing and where they should be. Hand out walkie-talkies, hi-vis jackets and copies of your floorplan to stewards. Welcome sellers as they arrive and distribute a brief reminder of any rules – such as 'no smoking', 'no dogs', 'no knives', etc.
A successful cash float means a cashier can provide the correct change from a good denomination mix for different scenarios, i.e. cashback. Additionally, a well-maintained cash float helps retail operational efficiency.
The 70/20/10 rule for money is a budgeting guideline that splits your after-tax income into three categories: 70% for living expenses (needs), 20% for savings and investments, and 10% for debt repayment or charitable giving, offering a simple framework to manage spending, build wealth, and stay out of debt. This rule helps create financial discipline by ensuring a portion of your income consistently goes toward future security and paying down liabilities, preventing lifestyle creep as your income grows.
There is zero interest and zero fees – even if you miss a payment. Please note that even though we buy you all the time in the world to settle your credit card balance, your credit card issuer may charge interest and other fees if you do not settle your credit card balance in time.
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.
Create presentable displays – Attracting customers is vital. Forefront your best items, and try to use bright and inviting colours. Equally, clearly display your prices and whether you're open to haggling! Bring change and bags – Make sure you've got enough spare change to ensure customers can buy from you easily.
A car boot sale pitch price varies significantly by location and type, typically ranging from £10 to £30 for a standard car pitch, with some larger spaces costing more, and even cheaper options for just a walking pitch without a vehicle, so it's best to check the specific sale's website. Expect to pay more for larger pitches (like side-on or double) or if you're bringing a van, and potentially get a slight discount for pre-booking online.
Car boot sales are a cash-in-hand way of getting rid of things you don't want, and a way of spending time with friends and/or family as do you so. There's the excitement of turning up and getting your pitch, setting out your wares and deciding on price.
