I’m a car boot sale expert and here are six ways to bag a bargain
SPRING is here and so is car boot sale season - so we've rounded up six tips to help you bag the best bargains at your nearest site.
From remembering your loose change to setting the alarm clock nice and early, some simple money saving tips can increase your chances of finding hidden gems.
Ellie Macsymons, expert at is a regular car boot sale visitor and has signed up to Facebook groups for local indoor and outdoor sales so she can keep up to date.
She says: "Car boot sales are a great place to find some hidden treasures at bargain prices.
"Most sellers just want to get rid of their unwanted stuff, so prices will be kept low.
"It's a great way to save money on clothes, furniture, household items and much more."
Of course, it's important not to get swept up in the excitement of finding a bargain.
Remember, it's only a good deal if you wanted the item in the first place.
And if you're on the lookout for something specific, it's worth doing some research on prices before you set up.
Here are Ellie's top tips for getting the most out of your car boot sale trip.
Read More in Money
Go early
Sellers get up at the crack of dawn to get the best spots at a car boot sale - but buyers should consider doing the same thing.
If you turn up late, it's likely you'll have missed all the best bargains.
Find out what time the sale starts and get there early.
Ellie says: "You could also wait until the end of the event for another look around, as people give away items extremely cheap at this point just to get rid of them."
Be prepared to haggle
Haggling is all part of the fun at car boot sales - don't assume the seller is offering you the best price straight away.
Most read in Money
Some people are shy about quibbling on the price, but it's a good way to get money off and if you're polite, you shouldn't worry about offending anyone.
Ellie says: "Ask 'what's the best price you could do me if I bought this?' rather than telling the seller you will be buying it."
One of Ellie's best ever bargains was a pair of Converse trainers, which she got for just £2 after haggling the price down from a tenner.
She says: "They were practically new, I just gave them a wash and bought new laces for 50p. In store they would have cost upwards of £50."
Another time, she got a garden bench for FREE because it was a bit beaten up - she plans to sand it down and repaint it in time for summer.
She also suggests asking for a discount if you're buying multiple items - after all, the seller is saving time by getting rid of several things at once.
Bring lots of loose change
Car boot sellers aren't shops and you shouldn't turn up expecting to be able to tap your contactless debit card to make a purchase.
They also won't appreciate you giving them a £20 note to buy something for 50p.
Ellie says: "Car boots sales are a great place to spend all that loose change that's been lying around in your car or pockets.
"You'll also be doing a favour for the sellers, who often get handed notes for items that cost a quid."
If you don't have change, pop to a shop and make a small purchase on the way to get some.
It's a lot harder to haggle down a price if you're brandishing a £10 note too.
Quality not quantity
There's no refund policy at a car boot sale - once you buy, it's yours.
"Make sure that are no hidden faults on the item you're buying. But spotting a defect before you purchase could give you an opportunity to ask for a discount," says Ellie.
On clothing, check for rips, missing buttons and working zips. And if you're buying CDs or DVDs, have a look at the disc to check for scratches.
It's important to be realistic, too - if you're buying something for a few pence, you might be willing to accept that it's in less-than-perfect condition.
Sell it on
A car boot sale, isn't just an opportunity to pick up bargains for yourself - you might be able to sell items on at a profit.
Ellie says: "Even if you don't want it for yourself, you may consider reselling an item if you know it's potentially worth good money."
Sellers tend to undervalue their items, so it's worth rummaging for hidden gems.
Have your phone to hand and search websites such as Facebook Marketplace and Ebay to see what items are selling for if you suspect you've spotted a potential profit.
On Ebay, you can search completed listings to get a better idea of what items sold for - although it's important to remember that sales may fall through after an auction is complete.
Set a budget
It's easy to get carried away when you're on a bargain-hunting spree, but remember it's only a deal if you needed that item anyway.
Even if you're only spending a pound or two at a time, the costs can add up over the course of the day.
Consider whether you actually need the item and if you'll actually use it - don't let yourself get pressured into a purchase.
It's not just shoppers who need to put their best foot forward at a car boot sale - we've rounded up the best tips to make cash for sellers too.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
If you've got old tech lying around, you could make money by popping to Currys - it's giving out vouchers for old phones, straighteners and more.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Plus, here are 50 surprisingly easy ways to make money from home.
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team?
Email us at [email protected]