Hi I'm Andy and I run the popular Rusper Sussex Car Boot Sale. Every week I get emails from 1st time sellers asking my advise on what sells well at car boot sales. So, based on my years of both car-booting and running a big car boot I have compiled a run down of what sells at car boot sales and just as importantly, how to sell it at car boot sales.

What sell at Car Boot Sales ?

1. Clothes (Men & Womens) designer wear gets the best price.

Clothes remain a top seller at car boots. Jeans and designer items seem to do the best. Baby clothes do sell but not as well as they did a few years ago. If you want to get the best price for your clothes present them well! Iron them and if possible put them on a clothes rail.

2.) Perfumes and Cosmetics.

Even half full bottles of perfumes sell! Unused cosmetics such as powder puffs, lips sticks and eye liners all sell, but they must be unused! Even unwanted presents such as new shower gels, sun creams, moisturisers, etc will sell well. It is worth presenting perfumes and cosmetics in a nice basket or tidy display.

3.) Small electrical Items (Mobile phones, PDA's etc)

Portable electrical devices sell well. Even though mobile phone prices have dropped they are still sought after at car boot sales. Be sure that you check your items are working and if possible show them working to potential buyers. If you can not show your items working, drop the price and make sure the buyer knows they are 'sold as seen,'

4.) CD's, PC games, DVD's and Records.

Always a winner at car boot sales. Most sellers sell their old CD's, PC games and DVD's for a couple of pound or less. Records are usually sought out by dealers and enthusiasts - so its not worth bringing along run of the mill records and don't even bother taking scratched or damaged records along to the car boot. If possible put your records in a proper record box. DON'T sell copied CD's, Games or DVD's - it's illegal!!!

5.) Collectables.

There will always be potential buyers for collectables at car boot sales, especially dealers. Collectable items can range from £1 ty-bears to £1000 pound rarities. Be sure to know the value of your collectable items. If you are unsure what an item is worth then check out similar items on ebay or google them. If you do bring valuable items to the car boot then unpack them last and place them somewhere you can keep an eye on them.

6.) Jewellery & Watches.

A top seller. There are different groups though. Junk jewellery - miscellaneous stuff, beads, bracelets etc that have no great value. Costume Jewellery - the better stuff, period pieces with non precious metals and stones. (Some of these pieces can make good money so better pieces are worth checking out first especially if they have a name on them.) FINE JEWELLERY - check your items for hall marks 800, 830, 925 and the lion mark all signify silver items. 9ct, 375, 10ct, 12ct, 14ct, 585, 750, 18ct, 22ct all signify gold items. Its best to have any items you are unsure about checked by a jeweller to ascetain there value. Present your junk jewelley in a box or a tim for sellers to rummage through. Your costume and fine jewellery should be presented seperatley and individually and placed where you can keep an eye on it! If you have battery operated watches expect a lower price if the battery is dead.

7.) Musical instruments.

Guitars, amps, flutes, saxaphones, violins, keyboards, drums - the list is endless! I've sold them all at car boot sales.  Some older instruments are valuable, so if your unsure get them checked out by a specialsit first. There are always enthusiasts and first timers looking for musical instruments at car boot sales. Most instruments are easy to damage so pack them well and place them in a safe place on your stall. People will often pick them up and play them - so make sure they are put down safely afterwards.

8.) Tools and Garden Stuff.

Tools and garden bits always do well at car boot sales. Check that any tools are working and fit for the purpose. Some antique tools are worth a fortune so if you have any get them checked out first. Decent plant pots, patio bits and misc. all do well but weigh up the value Versus the space it will occupy in your vehicle.

9. Big Electrical Items.

These items do sell at car boot sales but most buyers are unwilling to part with much cash on them. It really does depend on what you have got! A working run of the mill stereo system might make as little as £5-£10. A decent stereo system i.e, Denon, might make £30-£40. Large TV's are a bit hit and miss, especially with the digital switch over. It is  unlikely that you can show large electrical items working at car boot sales so expect buyers to be sceptical. Also remember that large items take up more space in your vehicle and limit what else you can pack in. Trading standards suggest that all electrical items should be sold without plugs.

10. Furniture & Bric-a-Brac.

Tables & Chairs, cupboards, even the kitchen sink. I have seen them all sell at Car Boot Sales. It is impossible to truly tell what individuals are looking for and with the credit crunch tightening more and more people are visiting car boots to find a bargain. There are still plenty of buyers looking for old nic-nacs and bric-a-brac to decorate their homes.

WHAT NOT TO SELL 

There is an endless list of , mostly common sense, items that just won't shift at a car boot sale. These are some that is is probably best to avoid bringing:

Mis-matched and damaged crockery. Thread worn clothes, materials and well used foot wear. Used cosmetics. Broken or part missing toys & games. Outdated or damaged furniture.

HERES A FEW SIMPLE RULES

1. Remember if you want to sell a chest of drawers and are hoping for £10, how much space does that leave in your vehicle for other items? Is its value worth the space it'll take up?

2. Valuable items out last, once you're comfortable that your stall is set out and you can keep an eye on things.

3. Expect to haggle and if buyers don't meet your asking price accept you'll be taking the items home again.

4. If you can't show an item is working, agree a returns deal with a customer or tell them clearly it's sold as seen.

5. Bring plenty of small change, you'll be amazed how quickly you get through it.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this and would very much appreciate your comments. Good luck car booting!