Nearly 85% of Brits have visited a car boot sale in the last 12 months. What is it about car boot sales that we love so much as a nation? Many people opt to forgo their weekend lie-in to get up at the crack of dawn in the hunt for a bargain. Whether you’re looking to buy or clearing out your unwanted goods, there is clearly money to be made here.
Many people enjoying car booting as a hobby and it seems to offer something more than just a money saving or money making activity. It’s a great way to recycle items as something that you might think should be headed for the landfill, could be another person’s treasure! Recycling and upcycling are the latest trends, which make sense in a cash-conscious time. It’s also far better for the environment too.
It is believed that car boot sales were brought to the UK in the 1970s by Father Harry Clarke, a Catholic priest from Stockport. He had seen similar events in Canada and decided to try one of his own as a charity fundraiser. A love affair had begun! Indeed, the thrill of the chase for a bargain is enough to spur many people to regularly attend car boot sales most weekends. We are definitely a nation of bargain hunters and there are plenty of daytime TV shows dedicated to bargain hunting too. So, clear out your garage and make some extra cash. It’s also a great excuse for a bit of life organising. For Garage Shelving, visit https://www.garage-shelving.co.uk
Top tips for car boot sales
- Make sure you get there super early. If you’re not there by 8am then you run the risk of missing the very best bargains.
- Bring plenty of small change whether you’re buying or selling as people will undoubtedly have just got notes from the cash machine.
- If you’re selling then make sure your items are clean and presentable – you’ll make more this way.
- See if you’ve got these items lying around your home as they are the best sellers:
DVDs and box sets
Plants
Books
Tools
Children’s toys
Prints and pictures
Collectible toys
Board games
Video games and consoles
Gardening items
- Be prepared to haggle and be prepared to accept a bit less than you originally asked for. You’re not running a shop and people are looking for a good deal.
- Come ready for all weathers. Wellies and cardboard to stand on are great for muddy fields and some waterproofs and sheets to cover your goods are perfect for our very changeable British weather!
- If you’re a buyer then don’t be afraid to politely haggle. If there is no budge by the seller, consider returning towards the end of the sale to see if the item is still there.
- Know what you’re looking for and don’t just buy things because they are cheap. Have a plan.
- Keep an eye out for things of value that look like junk. Developing an eye for these things can mean grabbing a bargain and selling on to the right buyer.