The Nineteen Rules concerning how to sell off unwanted presents, books and jewellery gifts at Car Bo

I'm writing from many years of expertise regarding how to excel in car boot sales. They have been operating for some time, and you'll guarantee that on any given weekend, there'll be a car boot sale selling all sorts of items like cups and saucers, books or even silver necklaces for women somewhere (weather permitting!) It’s a wonderful way to declutter your life and make some funds as well. Just follow my rules…. Get out of bed early! Sure I am aware, everybody wants a lie-in on the weekend, but that isn’t going to work. The majority of boot sales start early, and some car booters even start queuing before dawn so as to secure a pitch.

1. Put a price on things yet be ready to take less. Bear in mind, people expect to haggle, especially the dealers in the beginning, as well as the last-minute bargain seekers by the end, who seem to go around looking to grab the best value from stallholders who'd rather sell off as compared to load up it and bring it all home all over again!

2.Bring friends - it’s a lot easier when there’s two of you. It's possible to watch your stock whilst the other handles buyers.

3.Have a couple of tables and place these in an ‘L’ shape - that maximises how much room you may have.

4.Bring a flask of coffee - don't forget, it usually is chilly out there at 7.00a.m.!

5. Dealers will probably go to your booth when you are starting and pounce on something of great interest. Don’t let them faze you, but do be prepared to do a deal. Remember, you do want to get rid of all your stuff!

6. Most boot sales start to pack up after 3 hours. By then, you will have had enough!

7. What to sell? Popular items include jewellery, books, toys, and clothing. Video games are also sought after. CDs and DVDs are difficult to shift nowadays.

8. Some boot sales have strict rules regarding the sale of electrical goods. Some forbid their sale without a PAT certificate. If in doubt, then it is best not to try selling them.

9. Don’t be tempted to go around buying loads of items from other stallholders - the objective is always to declutter, never to replace it with lots of somebody else’s things!

10.Things remaining? You'll be able to bag it completely ready for the following sale, or maybe in the event you actually can’t deal with yet another early start, you could give it to a nearby charity.

11. …or do the things i do. Go to the nearby tip along the way home and dispose of all the items you already know won’t at any time sell. No one needs a particular sock!

12. What about the children? If you can, leave them in the home. You don’t require disruption! On the other hand, bung them a few quid each and allow them to roam round the other stalls getting extra toys and games to replace those you’re selling…or, put them in charge of selling their own stuff.

13. You may not think so, but presentation could make all the difference. Don’t pile books on the ground in an untidy heap. A tottering pile will put people off! They will not want to rummage in a pile that is in imminent danger of collapsing.

14.Similarly, an untidy heap of clothes is unappealing, especially if dumped on the ground. If you don’t think they’re worth displaying, why should anyone think they are worth buying? If you can, put clothing on hangers and display them on a clothes horse or a rail - the better the presentation, the more you can ask for them.

15. Have a bargain box on the ground - ‘Everything in this box 50p each’. This is a good way to get rid of toys, especially those ‘Happy Meal’ toys everyone seems to accumulate!

16. Beware of fakes, especially DVDs. Remember, Trading Standards officers routinely visit car boot sales on the lookout for counterfeit and stolen goods, and they have powers to confiscate and destroy such items. Jewellery is also something to be careful about.

17. Look out for items that can be resold on eBay or other online auctions. But bear in mind that many other people are doing this too. You’ll be surprised sometimes at exactly what sells! I once sold a whole load of CDs and DVDs- in Chinese!

18. And lastly - enjoy yourself and Don’t Panic!

A bonus: 5 Things you always find at a BOOT SALE! 1. ‘The Da Vinci Code’ by Dan Brown 2. The VHS boxed set of the 3rd Season of ‘Friends’ 3. ‘Young Girl’ record by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap 4. Those wheeled thingies with handles attached that you are meant to push along the ground to help you get fit… 5. Brass kettle

Compiled by Michelle Michaelis. Go to my web site, www.myjewellerystore.co.uk for great designer watches for men and jewellery you won’t wish to send to a car boot sale!