What is a carboot sale?

Car boot sales or boot fairs are a form of market in which private individuals come together to sell household and garden goods. They are popular in the United Kingdom, where they are often referred to simply as 'car boots'. Some scientific research has studied people's shopping habits at car boot sales.

What is the meaning of carboot sale?

noun. British. : a sale in which people gather to sell items that they bring to the sale in their cars.

How does a car boot sale work?

Sellers will typically pay a small fee for their pitch and arrive with their goods in the boot of their car. Usually the items are then unpacked onto folding trestle tables, a blanket or tarpaulin, or the ground. Entry to the general public is usually free, although sometimes a small admission charge is made.

What do people sell at carboot sales?

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.

What are you not allowed to sell at a car boot sale?

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.

HE WASN’T HAPPY WITH ME - CARBOOT HUNTING TO RESELL ON EBAY

What sells best at a carboot?

Popular items at a car boot sale include clothes, accessories, kid's toys, baby goods, shoes, furniture, ornaments, photo frames, jewellery, books, CDs and DVDs.

Do you pay tax on car boot sales?

On the other hand, if somebody regularly attends car boot sales (for instance every month) with a view to making profits, HMRC will deem them to be trading and they would need to be registered as self-employed for tax and National Insurance purposes.

Are car boot sales illegal?

It is an offence to hold a temporary market, or permit your land to be used for a temporary market, without giving notice. If you do so, you can be fined up to £2,500.

Can I sell new items at a car boot sale?

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.

How do you show clothes at a car boot sale?

If you don't have a rail, a tarpaulin can be a great way to display more items without having to make people rummage through a large pile. With your items more spread out, people passing by can easily see what you have on offer and something may catch their eye.

Can you sell sweets at a car boot sale?

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. It is not just a case of buying, rebagging and selling on.

What time should you go to a car boot sale?

When to arrive – Some car boot 'experts' suggest that you should visit a car boot sale both at opening time, to view the best items before they are snapped up, and then again at the end, to offer cash that sellers can't refuse if they want to avoid taking everything home.

Do you need insurance to run a car boot sale?

Car Boot sales are very popular events and if you organise such an event, you should arrange public liability insurance for your peace of mind. It may be difficult to envisage an accident or incident occurring for which you are held responsible, but even defending such an action could prove to be extremely expensive.

Are car boot sales a British thing?

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.

Do car boot sales run in winter?

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.

Why do boots get put on cars?

A parking boot (wheel clamp) is a device that is used to temporarily immobilize a vehicle. The boot is clamped onto one of the vehicle's wheels (generally front driver's side) and is locked in place preventing the vehicle from being driven and the wheel from being removed.

How to sell well at a carboot?

Can I sell homemade jam at a car boot sale?

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.

Can I sell my cakes at a car boot sale?

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.

Can you make money at a carboot?

SELLING your unwanted belongings at a car boot sale is a great way to make some extra cash. You could come away from the sale with hundreds of pounds, but there are some tips to make things easier. Kate McCabe, a car boot sale expert, has shared her top tips for maximising your profits.

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.

Can you legally drive with your boot open?

It's perfectly legal to drive with your boot open, but much like carrying a mattress above your head, it has to be done safely and within the rules of the law. First and foremost, your load and the boot itself must be secure and not liable to fall from the vehicle or flail around out of control.

Can you sell electricals at a car boot sale?

First thing when car boot sales open, professional resellers will scour for electrical goods. Make sure you've gathered up all of your unused tech gear, which will sell for a higher price than most of your other odd bits and bobs, and set up early. Some things you might not have even thought of will sell.

What vehicles are exempt from paying car tax?

Tax exempt cars. There is more than one route to having a zero-VED-rated car, with electric cars, cars with low CO2 emissions, historic cars and cars used by someone with a disability all exempt – assuming certain criteria are met.

Do you pay VAT on car sales?

VAT is charged at 20% on almost all new cars, whether they are bought upfront, on finance, or leased, Some people or businesses that are VAT registered can reclaim it, while some disabled drivers can avoid paying it in the first place.