Car boot sale advice - updated 2013

John_Pierpoint

SaveForSummer wrote: »

I don't know if this has already been asked anywhere else so sorry if it has but do you have declare anything you earn from car boot sales?

Only if you are "trading" - the thought police have not yet got to the stage where we are not allowed to sell things we own and have used.

Correction: You just might be liable for Capital Gains Tax, but most "chattels" are exempt and you have a 10,100 annual nil rate allowance for CGT.:D

Actually, having read this link, I realise that the thought police are getting nearer.:eek:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/helpsheets/HS293.pdf

SaveForSummer

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

Only if you are "trading" - the thought police have not yet got to the stage where we are not allowed to sell things we own and have used.

Correction: You just might be liable for Capital Gains Tax, but most "chattels" are exempt and you have a 10,100 annual nil rate allowance for CGT.:D

Actually, having read this link, I realise that the thought police are getting nearer.:eek:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/helpsheets/HS293.pdf

Ahh okay, we'd just be selling some old stuff so hopefully would be okay. What does trading actually count as though? Just to be sure

Yeah they are trying to tax on a lot of things now

John_Pierpoint

SaveForSummer wrote: »

Ahh okay, we'd just be selling some old stuff so hopefully would be okay. What does trading actually count as though? Just to be sure

Yeah they are trying to tax on a lot of things now

Buying things with the intent to sell them again at a profit.
(and over all making a profit - after factoring in the cost of driving there and paying for a pitch getting in etc. at the end of the tax year 5th of April)

MCCJSMIT

We are having a car boot sale for charity on May 29th at Duke Street Park,Formby, Merseyside, L37. We are the Mayor of Sefton's\Charity Fund (Formby branch) and car boots are £8 on the day £6 in advance. Charity stalls the same. Free for the general public. Ice creams, drinks etc. Toilets. Setting up 7am. Car boot open 8am-1pm. To book call judi on glyn.pike@virgin.net or paul on 01704 878553. All welcome. All money raised to local good causes.

MCCJSMIT

[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Owner/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg[/IMG]

MAYOR OF SEFTON’S CHARITY FUND
Reg. Charity no. 1026227

(Formby Committee)

CAR BOOT SALE

&

Charity stalls

May 29 2010 8am-1pm

Duke St Park, Formby

£6 in advance, £8 on day

Contact: [EMAIL="glyn.pike@virgin.net"]glyn.pike@virgin.net[/EMAIL]

or Paul on 01704 878553

Katy_Perry_fan

I love car boots. Being a buyer & seller! Cant wait till they start up again.

Stryder

Some advice, I am going to my first car boot as a seller. the things i have are:

8x Suitcases - all markers or scratches, but still in good working order.
30x Childs clothing (trousers and tops) ages 2-4, next, george, addidas and nike
Box of random things (probably put in a 50p box)
some crockery - basic but good condition -
13 cups and saucers
10 small plates
6 bowls
1 sugar bowl
mini flymo
2 kitchen utensil tups, two tubs with lid and 2 fruit bowls and a small vase - M&S standard range
20 mini cellotape dispensers
desk lamps
8 x books (paper backs)
**********************************
Questions:
a) is it worth baking some scones, or flapjacks, or buying some other refreshments?
I know this is not quite what your meant to do but seen it on enough stalls???

b) what do i do with the crockery? Do I make up two sets? make up 1 set and sell the rest at 20p? Any ideas?

c) with the clothes is it with covering them in plastic, and laying/hanging them out for £1, or should i simply box them in a 50p box?

d) Is there anything else I can get to make a little more money?

currently trying to clear a credit card - have a few things on ebay already so a good car boot could really make a difference.
I know I have not got a lot of stuff, but probably sharing a stall anyhow. Waiting for freecycle stalwarts to offer some boxes for car boot though, not sure how else to boost stock. Any ideas? Something for nothing?

Harry_Flashman

We did our first car boot last week in Halifax. It wasn't an unqualified success, but enough to get us going again this weekend.

One question though, why do shady characters tip up first thing and ask if we have any mobile phones? Several did this.

John_Pierpoint

Stryder wrote: »

Questions:
a) is it worth baking some scones, or flapjacks, or buying some other refreshments?
I know this is not quite what your meant to do but seen it on enough stalls???

c) with the clothes is it with covering them in plastic, and laying/hanging them out for £1, or should i simply box them in a 50p box?

d) Is there anything else I can get to make a little more money?

I know I have not got a lot of stuff, but probably sharing a stall anyhow. Waiting for freecycle stalwarts to offer some boxes for car boot though, not sure how else to boost stock. Any ideas? Something for nothing?

The organisers might be a bit twitchy if you sell "snacks" for two reasons:
1. They may have their own favoured chuck wagons who don't want the competition.
2. Serving food causes an outbreak of "elf and safety" inspectors and insurance liabilities.

Hanging rails - the sturdy shop type - are really useful if you can beg borrow or steal one. A pile on a blanket will get jumble prices. I have rigged up "a clothes line" effect with wire and/or used a lightweight domestic type rail (as sold in Argos). The former means all the hangers tend to slide together and the latter blows over - so weigh it down with bags of sand.

You might be able to get more stock by doing a deal with other stall holders.
It is a good idea to sell as a pair - this allows one member, when trade is quiet, to go for a "P" and chat up other stall holders. Look for people who have stock but are not repeat performers. They just want to shift the stuff especially as packing up time approaches - "charity" sellers and executor house clearers might be happy to sell the remains of their stall to you for a note or two, if you show an interest in their plight or offer to help them clear the house.
(You may see "Luton" models of vans round the perimeter of the sale - these could be the "house clearance" specialists who have been paid (say) 1,000 GBP to clear a house of a tenant who has done-a-runner or someone who has died.
In Britain 2,000 people a day pop their clogs). .

Stryder

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

It is a good idea to sell as a pair - this allows one member, when trade is quiet, to go for a "P" and chat up other stall holders.

In Britain 2,000 people a day pop their clogs). .

I love the image of "chatting up" - a kind of Speed Car boot dating

And your statistics? A strange thing to know - especially when you are called Pierrepoint :eek:

Thanks. Not sure I have enough rails/hangs/etc. But I will definately look for alternatives to bags. Thinking of making "clothes lines effects" and hanging up elsewhere around the stall. May take the old clothes horse and peg them to that.

Thanks again