MoneyMagpie Editor and financial expert Vicky Parry shares the best-selling items for car boot sales ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend
A summer clear out before the “back to school” feeling in September (which we still feel as adults, even without kids) feels great and is a perfect way to raise some extra cash. The bank holiday is looming, and that means one thing: lots of mega car boot sales.
Car boot sales are perfect for clearing out your clutter. But what sells well – and what should you sell elsewhere? Check your attic for these items right now to find some hidden goldmines that could raise a bunch of cash.
Books, CDs, and DVDs
As people turn back to physical media, books, CDs, and DVDs always do surprisingly well at car boot sales, even though the individual prices are usually around 50p to £1 per item. If you have a large collection you want to downsize, this is one of the best ways to raise some extra cash quickly rather than donating to charity, thinking you can’t get any money for them.
If you have any special editions make sure to research the online resale price first, taking into account what it would cost you to pack and send it if you sold online instead. This will help you get a fair price for limited editions.
Kitchen gadgets
When did you last use that breadmaker? Did you try a slow cooker once and now it’s gathering dust? Kitchen gadgets that are in working order but take up valuable counter space can be easy to sell at car boot sales.
Similarly, unusual mugs and dinnerware sets can catch a collector’s eye. It’s probably not the place to get rid of your Spode or Wedgewood, but vintage designs and mismatched tea sets can do very well.
Children’s toys
If your child has outgrown or lost interest in a toy, it’s almost guaranteed to sell at a car boot if it’s in good condition. People love to spoil the kids in their life and it’s even better when they can do so on a budget!
Vintage toys can also do really well. If you still have some LEGO from your childhood, it’s likely to be considered vintage. There are collectors for things like original computer consoles, original Polly Pockets, and Barbies. Make sure you do your research online first, as you might make a bigger profit selling to a specialist retailer or on eBay.
Vintage clothes
Vintage clothes and shoes can sell well at car boot sales if you make sure they are clean, in good condition, and displayed well. Rather than a big bundle on a table, hang each item out and put your vintage shoes out in pairs.
As for what counts as vintage? Clothes from around the year 2000 and earlier are considered vintage. Original band t-shirts, classic Converse and Doc Martens, and vintage coats and jackets do very well.
Memorabilia and trends
Finally, check out current trends before you head to the car boot sale. You might find that, for example, your Ozzy Osbourne original merchandise could fetch a decent penny right now. Or, if you’ve been gifted Labubus that aren’t your style, or have Oasis memorabilia, you could earn some extra cash.
Check out what’s popular online, look for social media trends, and see if you have something that used to be mundane and is now popular. Even things like vintage Pyrex dishes have a niche audience of collectors who love to go to car boot sales!
When car boot sales aren’t right for selling
A car boot sale is perfect for getting rid of your bric-a-brac and some popular items. But if you have a collection of rare items, or even some vintage toys or vinyl LPs, you could get a better price elsewhere.
It takes a bit more legwork than standing at a car boot sale on a Saturday, but you could net yourself a lot more cash for specialist items if you take the time to do some research. Collectors will often use websites like eBay, which means you can research how much items are likely to sell for and price them realistically for auction or Buy It Now.
For particularly rare or niche items, check out forums, local marketplaces, and specialist retailers. They’ll take a commission from the sale, or offer you a lower price so they can profit on the resale, but it is likely to still net you more than haggling at a car boot.
Selling tips
To make the most of your wares at a bank holiday car boot sale, try these tips:
- Arrive very early to get a good pitch
- Remember to take tables and clothes racks to display your items
- Price items up before you go and be prepared to barter
- Don’t agree to set items aside in the first few hours – if somebody is serious about buying, they’ll get it on the spot
- Take someone with you to ensure you can take a break and keep eyes on your items when unpacking
- Make sure you have a float of change on you at the start: this helps reduce the pressure to barter to a lower number if someone only has a twenty-pound note to offer!
Be ready to let items go for a lower price towards the end of the day, but for some items, have a lower limit in mind and stand fast on it when bargaining. People can haggle hard, because they know they’re about to get a bargain: be realistic, but don’t back down if you have researched an item’s value beforehand. If it doesn’t sell at the car boot, you can always try eBay or other marketplaces.
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