Car boot buying tips: early birds, haggling and what to bring
A few habits that make a car boot morning more fun and better value.
Check before you set off
Car boots are cancelled at short notice, often because of the weather. Check the organiser’s own page on the morning. Our listings link to it on every car boot page.
Early or late?
- Early gives you first pick. Many car boots let buyers in at a set time after sellers. Some charge more for early entry. The organiser’s page usually says.
- Late usually means lower prices, as sellers would rather not pack things away again.
What to bring
- Cash in small notes and coins. Some sellers take cards, but many don’t.
- Bags and a rucksack, or a folding trolley for bigger finds.
- Sensible shoes. Many car boots are on grass fields that get muddy.
- A tape measure if you’re after furniture.
Haggling politely
- Ask “what’s your best price?” rather than naming a very low figure straight away.
- Bundle things: “would you take £5 for these three?” works better than haggling over each one.
- If the seller says no, smile and move on. You may find them happier to deal later in the morning.
Check before you pay
Look things over properly. Check electricals work if the seller can show you, open boxes, and look for missing pieces in games and puzzles. Car boot sales are second-hand sales between people, so it’s usually hard to take something back.