Please note that our boot sales are run Wednesdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. Start date this is Wednesday April 14th running through to the end of October - weather permitting (boot sales are held outdoors on a grass surface).
Morning is best as it can be packed up and done by the afternoon and people can get on with their day. It takes time to get people in and fully set up, then some of the buying public may want to come in early so it pushes the time back.
We've got 10 tips on what to do and mistakes to avoid if you want to make money at a car boot sale. Popular items at a car boot sale include clothes, accessories, children's toys, baby goods, shoes, furniture, ornaments, photo frames, jewellery and books.
Wimbledon on Wednesdays is the business end of boot fairs really, so if you enjoy a more relaxed amble about maybe go there on the weekend as it also runs every Saturday (from 6.30am) and Sunday (from 7am).
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.
Recycle the black plastic if your local council take them. Put the paper in recycling. Bundle up the DVD's with string and sell as bird scarers. Our local charity shop sells them at 10 for a pound, I've bought some at carboots for 50p or a pound max unless it's a box set.
Car boot sales are a cherished part of British culture, offering bargains and a chance to clear out unwanted items. Whether you're a buyer hunting for vintage treasures or a seller aiming to offload old goods, certain sales stand out as the best in the country.
Identify access points, and discuss how, where and when sellers and buyers will arrive and depart – using separate gates if possible. Assemble your team and delegate tasks accordingly. Agree what to charge – usually around £5-10 per pitch.
Apps Court Car Boot Sales are held every Sunday and on all Spring, Summer, and early Winter Bank Holiday Mondays (weather dependent). If you would like to sell, please just turn up and we will direct you where to set up and we will collect your pitch fee once you have done so.
Price indications should not be misleading. Goods bought duty-free, including perfumes, alcohol and cigarettes, should not be re-sold. Fireworks, firearms, air guns and other weapons should not be sold at car boot sales.
Ask yourself if you need it, want it and whether it's worth it. Above all, when you're out in the fresh air car booting, it's also about having fun. Car boot sales are about buying and selling unwanted stuff, so keep that in mind when you're haggling, or trying to make a sale. The biggest win is the fun of the day out.
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!
January and February: These are typically the slowest months for car sales. Dealerships are trying to clear out older models to make room for new ones, so you're more likely to find a great deal. March through May: Sales start to pick up around springtime as warmer weather approaches.
Car boot sales usually count as 'occasional sales', which must be licensed. An occasional sale is a sale including five or more stalls, stands, vehicles or pitches. There are exceptions to the licensing of occasional sales. Sales held in car parks need a licence, but those held inside buildings or on a highway do not.
You can price the items how ever you want but remember the whole idea of a car boot is to get rid on unwanted items (I know some do not see it like that and use it as a commercial venture) therefore price your items accordingly. If you want the items gone, price them fairly but as low as your prepared to take.
Organising Car Boot Insurance is usually a requirement for the venue but is also essential to protect you as the organiser from financial loss as well as protecting your customers and any employees.
Keep an eye out for teapots, dinner sets or figurines, especially limited editions or discontinued ranges. “The number of times someone picked up an unassuming ceramic piece at a car boot sale and then found it was worth five figures on shows like Antiques Roadshow is endless,” Macsymons added.
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.
Is there an American equivalent?" There is, but usually it all falls under the term Yard or Garage Sale. Something like that could be called a "Rummage Sale" as well, as it is not all stuff from one person...or even a "Charity Sale" which would also be an umbrella term.
Environmental impact. By participating in a car boot sale, you're contributing to environmental sustainability. Selling second-hand goods reduces waste and the demand for new products, which in turn lowers the environmental footprint associated with manufacturing and shipping new items.
Is it still worth selling CDs and DVDs? If all the interest sounds promising for anyone looking to declutter and make money, don't book a holiday on the expected proceeds just yet. As with most collectibles, unless you have something particularly special or rare, you're unlikely to make much selling them.
Can I get money for old DVDs? Yes! Selling your DVDs is a great way to make space in your house and make extra cash too. The discs aren't biodegradable and take years to break down, so the best way to get rid of them is to recycle with us today - it's smart for you, smart for the planet.
We advise consumers not to buy items such as electric fires, electric blankets and irons at boot sales. Unless the item has a reputable recent source, and is complete with its original instructions, we would caution strongly against its sale.