Car boot sales

Ah, this is a particular favourite of mine. I have never been a collector of things. I like my gadgets, like the next man, but don't need to have clutter around me to be happy. Well apart from my Cd's I suppose, oh and the books, oh and I suppose the computer stuff, but apart from those..........

I love car boot sales. The whole ethos is attractive, I have a load of stuff that I want to get rid of, but is to good to just throw away. I take this stuff along in my car sit with it in a car park somewhere and people come and give me money for it. Whilst I am waiting for them to give me money, I can read my book, listen to my Ipod or chat to other stall holders. It's a win win situation!

But what to sell? There are two golden rules:
1) never worry if you don't get what you think something is worth (you are selling it to get rid of it remember, if you think it is worth a lot sell it some other way (see EBay later.)
2) you don't want to take it home with you, if people offer to buy it take the money

People will barter, don't be afraid to barter too, "10p for that, it wasn't worth my while getting up early for 10p, give me £2.00! 50p?? My grandmother would turn in her grave, it was her prized possession, I couldn't part with it for less than £1.50! Oh alright then a quid!"

One thing I find cathartic is to get rid of the clutter that builds up over time. Start in your loft, if you have one. Why do we all keep stuff in the loft? Well for storage obviously, but what are we storing it for. Clear it out. Look at each item decide if you will ever use it again, if so what is it doing in the loft! Bring stuff down to the bedroom, or in my case the garage, you will have far less tendency to put it back up there again!

Then the rest of the house, you can sell anything at a car boot. Dust of those chintzy ornaments that your mum gave you for Christmas, you'll get a few quid for them.

Pricing things can be tricky. I never put prices on the goods, but I do have an idea in my mind what I would like for them, remember though this is about you getting rid of them and the buyer getting a bargain.

Plus sides to car boots are many, I have done well on some occasions and badly on others, but it has always worked out worthwhile. On average I have made about £15 to £20 per hour overall.
Down sides: You can get wet. When you turn up, the professionals descend like scavengers, these are the people who understand the value of junk, but don't let that stop you selling to them.

What to sell: Books, Albums, CDs, DVDs, ornaments, old garden tools, pictures, anything really, it's money for old rope (quite literally!).

Where to sell: Scan your local paper, schools, community centre notice boards, Carboot Junction or good old Gumtree or just use a search engine.

More hints and tips: Here is an excellent list of do's and dont's