Our homes are often filled with items which we no longer have a need for. What do we do with them? Put them in the loft or cupboard? Sell them on ebay? Give them to charity? Well you may well choose one of these options however there is another option...car boot sales!

I love going to car boot sales and I also love selling at them. Basically a car boot sale is like a mini market where everyone and anyone brings their unwanted items to sell to others who may well need or want that item. Certain venues may offer regular, weekly car boot sales where as others may be once a year.

Here is my advice on preparing for a car boot sale if selling.

-Go online to www.carbootjunction.co.uk. This site will tell you if there are any car boot sales in your local area. There will be contact details for who is running the car boot sale and it is best to phone and double check that the day you wish to go will be open.

-Once you have decided where you will be car booting, have a clearout and put together a collection of unwanted items. Box them up and pack up the car. Some car boot sales may offer tables for hire but generally you will need your own. A sturdy pasting table should be sufficient. If taking toys or bigger items, it is best to take an old sheet for the ground if outside.

-Dress for the occassion. Some car boot sales will be held inside and others out. Check the weather report and determine the best clothes to where.

-Most car boot sales start really early and you will need to be there early to secure your spot. Get to bed early and make sure you are first in the queue.

-Don't go alone. If you need the loo..who will watch your table? It is best to go with a relative or friend.

-Take food! The food at some car boot sales can be really bad and expensive so pack a lunch and refreshments!

-Change. Ensure you have a collection of loose coins for giving out change and somewhere secure to put them. If you don't have change, you may lose the sale.

-Setting up your table. The table shouldn't be overly cluttered and should be as presentable as possible. I personally put larger or more expensive items at the back and cheaper, smaller items at the front. Be careful not to set breakables in harms way.

-Watch your table. Please be on the look out for thiefs as often you can become engrossed with someone and their buddy is nicking stuff from your table. It does happen and you can be left out of pocket!

-Prices. Be realistic, don't put stupidly expensive or cheap prices and don't pricemark. People seem put off by this. Be prepared to haggle and start your price a bit dearer making out the buyer is getting a better deal!

-Bags. It is best to have some plastic carrier bags handy incase buyers do not have any.

Generally do your best and try and sell what you can. You will be surprised how much you can make on a good day. Oh and smile :)

Now onto advice for buyers!

-Take change! I know it should be the responsibility of the seller to have change but at the start of the day, many won't have it.

-Look for damages. How often have you bought something and got it home only to discover it is broke or doesn't work? Electricals is a tricky thing unless you can see them working so be on the look out.

-Haggle! Like I said in the sellers advice, often sellers start prices high and if they really want to get rid of the item, they will reduce their prices. Be reasonable and don't be cheeky!

-Cleanliness. This is a big one for me. When I was pregnant, I would search for toys and clothes for my son. If the seller looked dirty or the clothes looked manky then I would avoid like the plague.

*My Thoughts*

I don't go to car boot sales as often as I would like. I was fond of doing them with my sister until she had her last baby..now there is no room in the car for little old me and I don't personally drive. I enjoyed collecting bits and pieces that I no longer needed and also took some of my makeup to car boot sales to sell and always done well. Sometimes getting better prices than on ebay and with no fees or postage. Well I say no fees but there will be a pitch fee of between £5.00 and £15.00 on average.

We have done an indoor car boot in Lanark which was ideal being shielded from the weather. The customers were ok but some can be rude and expect everything for nothing. I usually ended up spending more money that I make up there. Generally, we would have to be up there for 7.30am for the buyers coming in at 8.00am.

I have also done an outdoor one in Wishaw next to the market which involved 8.00am - 2.00pm. Ok in good weather but if it rains you have no chance of selling and your stuff can get ruined.

The most popular car boot sale I have sold at was in Blochairn in Glasgow. In summer, cars queue up from 11pm the night before for an early start. We went at 5.30am once and were told it was full. This is an indoor and outdoor Sunday car boot sale and is extremely busy. You do get good trade if you know where to posistion yourself. The best parts are the corners as you get more space and recognised.

My brother in law would drop us off and he would go home with the kids. Me and my sister would set up a table each. I end up with all my stuff rearranged as my sister is a perfectionist and I am just messy! Be aware that buyers rummage through your boxes when you are trying to set up..this irritates me so badly!

I do quite well at most car boots depending on what I am selling. I give reasonable prices and always give discounts if buying a few things. I feel if your are friendly and your items are displayed decent enough then you will get customers.

My sister goes to car boot sales to buy every Saturday and Sunday. I have went a few times recently but used to go on a regular basis. I normally take a set amount of money and hunt for DVDs (check for copies and scratches), unused beauty items and good condition toys. I have picked up some cracker bargains. If I see some expensive makeup sitting with a man selling, I go up and end up with a bargain as the man doesn't realise his wife paid a fortune! I would never leave hubby in charge of my table if there were expensive makeup items.. I am not daft lol :)

My sister picks up really good stuff most weeks and seems to get better bargains when its Spring time. Winter is never usually as good except after Christmas when everyones sellling those unwanted smelly gift sets at knock down prices! My sister has often picked up expensive makeup at 50p and put it on ebay making £20.00 a pop! Profit!

Car boots sales are good. You just need to watch out for the thief brigade and those who want everything for buttons. Be firm and don't give in to harrassment. Oh and I did mention before to keep breakables out of harms way. Now I don't mean children. I mean old ladies who cannot control their mobility scooters as I discovered last year. The lady in question couldn't stop it and it kept going forward and knocked a table of ornaments down and she still kept going. I personally have never laughed as much in all my life but I felt sorry for the car booter!

My next car boot adventure will be tomorrow as my nephews school is holding a one off one run by my lovely car boot mad sister! My brother in law is coming at 8.30am to collect my boxes which I have dutifully filled with toys, dvds and makeup and I shall make my way down on the bus. I hope to make quite a bit as my laptop is in terrible nick and some pennies towards a new one would be ideal. Wish me luck :)