Here is some info I want to share about buying from car boots;
Arriving early is a good idea if you are looking for valuable/collectible/rare items, but your still only going to be at the front when they finally let the buyers in. I usually arrive at opening time. But some boots open a lot earlier to buyers than advertised, so it can be worth finding out when they really open to the public, if in doubt, ask a stallholder.
Haggling - If the item your interested in is being sold by a trader (someone who comes weekly and does many car boots), chances are he won't come down in price, but its worth a try. If its a "real" car booter (only there for the day so wants to sell out) its worth haggling, but don't be silly, if he wants a tenner for an item, its unlikely he will take a pound! If for example books are 30p each and you want say four, offer a pound for the four, chances are they'll accept this.
Women are more likely to take a your offer price!
Some traders its worth being chatty and friendly to, I've found this way they are more likely to take your offer.
If your late to the boot, so many buyers have already been round, this is a great time to haggle, the car booter knows its take your offer or probably take it home!
Don't go wearing your best three piece suit, if they think you have money, they are less likely to come down in price! Also if the car boot is ran on a field, you will get muddy in the winter months.
Poor weather doesn't mean the car boot is canceled, but it does certainly mean it will have less sellers. I have got some of my best bargains when the weather is poor.
If you want the car boot to be as big as possible (more sellers, so more choice) it has to be during the summer months, I recommend after a few days (the more the better) or so of good weather.
Car boots that are only ran occasionally, such as on bank holidays only, can be goldmines, you find very few traders are there, so almost everyone wants to sell out!
Take a pocket full of change and pound coins, its no good haggling something down to a pound, they expecting the seller to change a £20 note. I usually pay to park with a tenner or twenty, giving me a lot of change!
Some people won't accept your offer, so unless you REALLY want the item, walk away. There will be another one, maybe even at the same car boot. You can always tell the car booters who are asking too much, they are the ones with faces like an arse thats been slapped and nobody is buying off them!
If you have walked away, its worth returning to the stall on your way out, if your wanted item is still there, tell the trader "I'm about to leave, have you considered my offer" I've found a few will now accept your offer, others will haggle you up a little and you still get a bargain, a few won't, but as I said there are plenty more stalls at the next car boot!
Old people seem to believe things like DVDs are worth a fortune, I can't work out why, perhaps its "that new fangled technology" they believe is so expensive?
I hope for find some of these useful and remember rules may change from area to area. Good Luck!
