BRITS are so keen on a bargain that they are turning up at two o’clock in the morning at the nation’s booming car boot sales.

During the cost-of-living crisis of the past two years James Taroni and Andrew Walsh have seen a 50 percent increase in the number of people turning up at their West Midlands events.

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The pals, both aged 48, have been dubbed the Car Boot Kings and now star in their own Channel Four fly-on-the-wall documentary.

They have been renting out fields to people wishing to sell goods from the backs of their vehicles for 30 years and now pull in 9,000 sellers and punters a week in the summer months.

They charge £10 for a pitch and £1.50 per car for visitors – leaving them with a tidy profit.

The wheeler dealers insist there is a buyer for anything you wish to sell and that you shouldn’t throw anything away.

One of their earliest customers, Terry Herbert, bought a metal detector for juts £2.50 and went on to find the £3.3 million Roman Staffordshire Hoard.

Father-of-five James says: “The cost of living crisis is the perfect storm for the car boot sale business. If you need some money extra quick to pay the bills it’s the best place to sell your stuff.

“And, if you want to save money, you come to the car boot, which is also a market where you can buy new gear.

“It has increased by at least 50 percent in the past two years. They’re from all walks of life and from all over the world.

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”With the expense of rent in the high street rental, a field makes for the ultimate pop-up shop.”

In recent years they have added food stalls, live music and bouncy castles to some of the events to draw in more customers.

Andrew says: “It is a cheap social event.”

But the main talking point is always going to be what bargain did you pick up?

Here the Car Boot Kings offer their top tips to both buyers and sellers:

Tips for sellers

Clean Up

Good presentation is the key to attracting the punters to your stall.

James says: “People do not want to buy things from a big pile on the floor.

“You need a table or a ground sheet or a clothes rack. Make things presentable, give them a bit of a clean.”

Change it up

We may no carry money in our everyday lives but at car boot fairs, cash is king.

James explains: “It is important to have a float because most people will want to pay in cash.

“Some sellers have chip and pin machines, so people can pay by card but cash still dominates. So you need to have plenty of change.”

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Strike a deal

Being realistic about the price can help you sell – and there’s a must-have item for flogging gadgets.

James thinks: “You have to be willing to be flexible on the price. You might have paid £300 for your TV brand new, but no one is going to be willing to pay that at the car boot.

“But they will pay £100 if it works. It is good to have an electrical generator so you can show people that electrical items work.”

Be an early bird

As all car boot regulars know, the early bird catches the worm.

James warns: “Try to have an early night and turn up early.

“There is nothing worse than going out the night before and being tired when you are trying to sell things. Be friendly.”

No need to price everything up

The temptation to stick a price tag on your items could drive potential buyers away.

Andrew says: “Some people won’t buy something if it is not priced up, because they don’t want to ask the price. But if you put a price on it, it might put them off. Most people don’t price up their items.”

Stop talking rubbish

You might think it’s junk, but that doesn’t mean it won’t sell.

James says: “Absolutely anything sells. One man’s rubbish really is another man’s treasure.” 

Andrew agrees: “If you’ve not thrown something away because you think it might be useful, you can be sure someone else will find it useful.”

Pick the right pitch

As a seller, the position of your stall could be make or break.

James advises: “Position yourself close to the carpark, because it makes it easier for customers to carry their stuff back to their vehicle. “It’s also good to pitch up next to a coffee van, because people will get up and wander around.”

Tips for buyers

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Turn up early

Bargain hunters are prepared to get up at all hours.

James says: “If you want the best items it is good to turn up early. We have people coming at 3am in the morning.

“In the summer we can have 20 people arriving at 2am, waiting to get into the site. The semi-professional buyers will be in early.”

You never know what you’ll find

The car boot sale really can be an Aladdin’s cave – so keep your eyes peeled.

James smiles: “You can buy anything. There is a lady who comes and buys articles for props for TV shows and movies. She bought Dot Cotton’s net curtains on a car boot. A few weeks ago she bought a real skull.

“The other week a wife turned up to sell her husband’s entire wine collection. There were 300 bottles of fine wine and champagne. She was really mad with her husband and I am sure he is really mad now.”

Shop vintage

Look out for the classic designs – they could make you a mint.

James reckons: “Vintage clothes are very popular at the moment. We have a guy called Jordan who has 20 million viewers on TikTok who buys stuff for pennies and sells for hundreds of pounds.

“He will buy 20 trainers and 30 football shirts from the 80s and they are all valuable.”

Bring wads

For both buyer and selling, it pays to have cash.

James warns: “Make sure you have plenty of cash on you. There is never a cash point in the middle of a field in the country.

“And make sure you have emptied your car beforehand.”

A valuable hobby

A good buy could lead to a lot more if Terry Herbert, the detectorist who found the Staffordshire Hoard in 2009, is anything to go by.

James recalls: “Have an open mind. The guy who found £3.3million worth of Anglo-Saxon gold, in a field, bought his very first metal detector from our car boot 25 years ago, which got him into the hobby.”

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Have fun haggling

There’s no harm in trying to knock a few quid off on the day.

James says: “When it comes to haggling it all depends on how expensive the item is.

“I am sometimes happy to pay the price if I really want it, but there is also fun in making a deal. The seller wants to go home with an empty van, so you’ve got to try your luck.”

Andrew, though, says: “Most of the things on sale are a bargain already.”

Check what you’re buying

If you’re out to make a profit, or just ensure value for money, use your phone to check out the goods before you buy.

James says: “While you are at the field you can scan barcodes or look the items up online to see how much they could sell for on eBay, where things often sell for a lot more.”

Car Boot Kings is available to watch or stream for free on Channel 4 on Monday, 11pm.

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