Harlow Car Boot Sale, based on The Pinnacles Industrial Estate, is one of the largest and most popular in Essex, and always very well attended whatever the time of year. Even though it is the biggest however, don't forget there are several other smaller local car boot sales in Harlow and the surrounding area from which to choose.

Started by the local council in 2010, the Sunday car boot sale in Harlow Market Square is becoming more & more popular, as is the Saturday car boot sale at Bluemans Field in North Weald just outside Harlow. Other regular boot sales take place monthly at High Wych Primary School in Sawbridgeworth as well as other on-off events at different venues throughout the spring and summer.

A Harlow car boot sale is a fun and exciting way for a seller to clear unwanted clutter from their house, loft, garage or shed, or for a buyer to pick up a bargain or that special item they have been looking for but couldn't afford to purchase at shop prices. The beauty of a car boot sale is that for both buyers and sellers, every one if different and you never know what you might find.

Harlow Car Boot Sale Sellers: Pitches can cost anywhere from £5 for a car, up to over £20 for a large van belonging to a market trader. Average pitch costs for an outdoor car boot sale are normally £10 per car for private sellers.

Sellers Tips

• In general, if you want the best pitch at the front of the event where the buyers enter, then it is advisable to get there a little bit before the gates open to sellers.
• Make sure you bring a big enough table, or groundsheets, and lay your items out so they are easily to see, not stuffed in box and inaccessible.
• Take plenty of float, notes and coins, with you. You might be surprised at just how money you could you make out of your old clutter!
• Carrier bags are always a good idea to give to your customers something to carry their purchases in.
• Set a price in your mind you would be happy to sell your items at, but always be prepared to go lower to make a sale.
• Think about purchasing a wholesale job lot of items and selling them on your stall.

Harlow Car Boot Sale Buyers: If you want to make sure you get the best quality items, in general it is better to get there as early as possible. Some car boot sales make an admission charge before certain times, so you will need to work out if this is worth it.

Buyer Tips

• Never pay the asking price, and always be prepared to haggle! Most sellers are keen to get rid of what they have brought and don't want to take it home again.
• If you are not an experienced ‘car-booter', always have a good look round first. Something you see on the first stall, might just be a lot cheaper on the last stall you look at.
• If you are still at the sale near the end and you something catches your eye, try making a silly offer. Sellers can get desperate towards the end, as mentioned above, and don't really want to load up the car again and take it back home again.

Harlow Car Boot Sale On-Site Facilities: From a few tables in the middle of a field, general facilities at car boot sales have come a long way since they first started. Most have toilets and catering on site, so if you forget or don't have time to make your packed lunch, grab something to eat whilst you are there. Best of all are the school car boot sales where parents often make delicious homemade cakes & pastries.

Harlow Car Boot Sale Items: What you think is old bric-a brac, just might be a buyers favourite item that they collect at home. Check every room, cupboard and wardrobe of your house or flat. Even the airing cupboard for no longer used blankets and duvet sets. You will probably be amazed at how many new things you find and did not remember you had!

If your children are growing up and have bedrooms full of baby toys, puzzles, games, soldiers or dolls, put them in a big box and take them along to a car boot sale. Whatever their condition, you will be amazed at just what other people are looking for and willing to buy from you.

There are often jewellery, book and antique dealers wandering around to find those items that catch their eye. If you have anything valuable, be sure you give it the prime spot on your table! Specialised goods such as fishing and golf equipment to aquariums sell well. Not to mention electricals such as T.V's, stereo systems, computers and sound surround equipment.

Old children's toys and games are often a favourite too from the past such as Operation, Twister or Kerplunk. Even Thunderbirds, Star Wars, Barbie and Ken or Mickey Mouse, can be found sometimes and the older they are the more of a collector's item they become!

DVS's and video games are always very popular - put them in a long container so buyers can just flick through what you have quickly. Wii, X-box, Nintendo, Playstation 1,2, and 3 games are great sellers. Always wanted are games or a film you could never find or afford? Well you just might find it here and at less than half the price!

Any baby clothes, as well as toddlers & junior boy clothing and girls clothing, always sell well at car boot sales along with adults clothing too -don't forget kids outgrown dressing up clothes too. A good tip and the best way to display them is on a clothes rail if you have one and put the items on hangers so buyers can just search through them easily without pulling items about and making a mess. If you don't have a clothes rail, try a clothes horse airer or just hang them from your vehicle roof bars! Baby equipment sells well too, especially pushchairs, buggies, cribs, carry cots, and high chairs.

You will be surprised at how many buyers are looking for shoes, women's boots, and trainers. Boy's shoes & girl's shoes are always good to sell and draw a crowd looking for bargains.

Don't forget any old books, comics, or magazines you may have been collecting in the past, a buyer may have a similar interest in a certain subject such as sports memorabilia, crafts, or perhaps photography.

The number of buyers that come through and attend Harlow car boot sales make it definitely worth sorting through any so called junk you might have! You can guarantee that you will have something to sell that someone wants or needs!