Car boot sales, or ‘trunk fairs’ as the Americans call them, are a wonderful sign that the sunnier side of the year is getting ever closer. Some people love to see the flowers in bloom or baby lambs prancing around fields as a sign that spring is here and summer is on the way. For me, however, there is nothing that signals the start of Spring better than being able to walk around a field buying trinkets from the back of a Ford Cortina.

As a child I used to love scampering around, in a badly knitted ‘jumper’, looking for appropriate items for which I could spend my pocket money. As a wee boy, there was always a certain sense of excitement and apprehension about heading to a car boot sale. You could come back with a brilliant find like an action man or a half decent football, but on the other hand, you could end up spending all of your pennies on a colouring book just to find it has already been completed (this happened more than once).

Car boot sales are not only great for people who are looking for a bargain. If you have unwanted items across the house, maybe some old DVDs you never watch or a bundle of unused Christmas presents from an aunt you never see, then a car boot sale is a great way to make some money. Selling your belongings at a car boot sale is also more fun than you would think. Get up early and load the car up, fill a thermos flask with tea and make yourself a packed lunch before setting off to the venue. Then you just need to find a spot, set up your ‘stall’ and sit back waiting for the cash to flow.

You will have to be prepared, if you are selling, to deal with hagglers. Most people will not offer you the original amount at a car boot sale and they will try and force you down on your asking price. This is fine, and I would advise you not to set your prices too high and also be prepared to sell for less than you originally wanted.

If you are on the buyer’s side at a boot fair, don’t be afraid to haggle the price of an item down. More often than not the seller will initially be opposed to your demands, but eventually they tend to come round. Stick to your guns, and if you think they are being stubborn or the price is too high, then simply walk away.

I would also advise you, when buying anything second hand, to check the item, thoroughly before you make the purchase. There is no guarantee or warranty when you are buying from a car boot sale, so it is always wise to make sure you are not buying a faulty object.

Well, I hope I have helped slightly in advising you on heading to car boot sales and I also hope that I have whetted your appetite for a bargain.

To find out about car boot sales in your area head over to Friday Ad today.

Picture: David