TV presenter Lorne Spicer, best known for Cash in the Attic and Boot Sale Challenge, talks about the benefits of car boot sales

CASHING in on your clutter at a boot sale is a quick and easy way to make some extra money as we face the cost of living crisis.

It also gives people the chance to buy items much more cheaply than the retail stores or even online.

They may be second hand but the days when that meant used and broken are long gone.

We are a consumer society and most of what I see at car boot sales has barely been out of the box, and many clothes still have their tags on.

A quick trip round the Colchester car boot sale proved profitable while I was stalling out.

This Sunday I took £236 with the bulk of the sales in the first hour from 9am.

By 11am, I was done, packed up and had time to go find some bargains myself.

The items I bought at the same boot sale last week made an additional profit of £50:

  • A 1960s lady’s dress and jacket that cost £6 sold on Vinted for £25; profit £19
  • A stuffed decorative toy deer head cost £1 sold on Vinted for £6; profit £5
  • Two sets of children’s West Ham kits cost £2.50 – one set sold on Vinted for £10; profit £7.50
  • A pair of men’s Crocs cost £1 sold on Vinted for £15; profit £14
  • A Ralph Lauren polo tracksuit cost £5 sold £10; profit £5.

Vinted is fab because for sellers there are no fees, the buyers pay those.

The buyer’s address label is sent through and it means that what you have made is what you have made with no deductions.

Ebay reaches an international audience but fees for listing and selling are payable by the buyer cutting into potential profits.

Some prefer to simply buy from boot sales and resell just at boot sales or on Facebook marketplace where there are no fees and buyers pay cash on delivery or through paypal ahead of picking the item up.

Top tips to remember are:

  • Describe the item you are selling accurately;
  • Allow time to photograph, list and pack the item;
  • Some things like fake items, alcohol and used make up cannot be sold online;
  • Be reasonable with your pricing – better to make a little money than no money;
  • Keep in contact with customers to build up your own clientele
  • Buy what you think will sell, not just what you like.

Of course, to make the most from the item bought it is always worth politely haggling – and for most people this is part of the fun of buying and selling at car boots.

Personally if I think the price is reasonable I will just pay it as I did with all the items I bought.

This weekend at Colchester right at the end of the sale I found a gentleman selling a genuine Versace T-shirt new with tags.

These retail for £90 and he wanted £20 for it. In this case I asked if he could do any less and he offered to sell for £17.

I then offered £18 because that was the price I had in mind.

Of course, haggling up is not the general idea but it was a good price and will be put away as a present for Christmas 2023 for my son who will be delighted (but not as much as his mum who has saved £70 on buying one in the shops).

Buying bargains from boot sales and selling them again is a win win.

I also treated myself to a new jumper for £10 - a price I thought twice about paying.

When I got home I found it was by Catherine Andre, new with its tag and a retail price of £349.

  • A Facebook live is available on @ charityshopandcarbootchallenge every Sunday to recap on values, bargains and tips.