Shopping at flea markets :How to shop at flea markets and car boot sales
KNOW HOW
Preparation is everything. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and a coat with pockets (there's no need to take your handbag or even your wallet). And be ready for all weather conditions with an umbrella, sunscreen and a hat. If rain is expected, ring before you leave, as sales are sometimes cancelled. Use your biggest car or, if you are hoping to buy larger items, it may even be worth hiring a van for the day.
Take maps, phone numbers and hours of opening with you, plus measurements of the rooms or spaces you're hoping to buy for (a tape measure may be handy). Have a selection of packing materials in your car - blankets, bubblewrap, boxes tape, carrier bags etc - to ensure your purchases arrive home in good condition. Also have ropes to tie items to the roof of your car, a tool kit in case legs need to be taken off furniture, and a sheet or tarpaulin to keep them dry.
Take plenty of cash in small denomination notes. It'll be difficult to find a cash machine in a muddy field off a motorway junction. A cheque book is a useful back-up.
Get there early for the best bargains (sometimes sales kick off as early as 6.30am and begin to peter out by lunchtime) and remember there are often long queues at popular sites. It is annoying to see exactly what you were looking for being taken home in someone else's car!
Stay focused. Shop with a list if you have a lot of things to look out for, and make a plan. Sometimes it's worthwhile making a good circle of all the stands then going back to the ones that interest you. It's much better than buying the first item you see then spotting a more suitable one further down the line.
To find out more about car boot sales or flea markets in your area, visit
www.carbootcalendar.com. You'll have to register (it costs £8.99 a year) but it will be well worth it.