Whats the best item you have found at a car boot sale and sold it on for a profit

[lejoueurdepipeau]

They are "vide-greniers" (empty lofts) here and a way of life during the summer months. There is a little book (known as the "orange bible" in this house) produced each year to tell you where to find the events - it has 1792 entries for 2009 and that is for Calvados, Manche and the Orne areas alone!

I have found many bargains - most of which I feel unable to part with! One of my best finds was a brand new set of Le Creuset pans complete with display stand for 20euros! I gave those to epeeist36 (my daughter) who was very pleased with them.

I also found a beautiful little enamel stove with stunning Art Nouveau designs on it a few weeks ago. The lady said she wanted 40 euros - so I said I would go and get OH (who was behind my stall) so that he could see it. While we were looking at it ( I can assure you I had every intention of buying it) she said "30 euros"! We actually told her we were quite happy to pay 40 euros but she wouldn't hear of it - saying it was very heavy and she didn't want to take it home again! I have seen similar and in worse condition for hundreds of pounds. Sorry - I am keeping it though - it would be FAR too heavy and expensive to post - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!

Last week I found some vintage (50s?) grocery packs complete with contents in superb condition which I may well list on eBid (with a Health warning saying that the food is past its sell by date!!!!).

There are many lovely Art Deco items to be found and vintage textiles. I have bought several art deco clocks (which I love) very cheaply - but then they have cost me an arm and a leg to get working - so maybe not so much of a bargain!

There are some odd items for sale too - it would appear that people collect the tins that whisky bottles are sold in as you see many of those on offer. Maybe we should stop throwing ours away! Also - completed and framed jigsaws and completed (and usually revolting) needlepoint tapestries. Why???

[cornishmaid1961]

LOL - I always buy the little orange bible for the Brittany area Pipeau ! I have to laugh last year I came back with a load of English studio pottery ! You are right about the whisky tins and also whisky flagon jugs. What is it that the French like about those framed jigsaw puzzles? I've seen them hanging on people's sitting room walls !

[TexasAda]

What is it that the French like about those framed jigsaw puzzles? I've seen them hanging on people's sitting room walls !

Made me laugh. We don't have boot sales here but we have garage sales, estate sales, flea markets and swap meets, the latter I think being more a west coast term.

I have seen MANY finished jigsaw puzzles at these sales. There is a special glue or coating you can put on them too, to keep them held together.

I think people save them because they are either proud of their accomplishment of finishing these sometimes thousand piece puzzles, or they truly like the artwork. Same for needlework. Somebody has put in weeks or months on a textile masterpiece and they want it on display for posterity, maybe thinking it's museum quality. I fully understand keeping a well done embroidery if it was made by a loved one. Unframed, it doesn't take up much room if you want to store it packed away, too.

My best find so far was a Pucci skirt. I got it for $7.00 and sold it on eBoy for well over $150, years ago. It was a 1960s or 1970s swirly print in shades of orange and pink. I am NOT a fashion maven but knew Pucci was a designer name.

[OldPostcards]

was the cheques kosher

ooh yes, of course!! LOL!!

[OldPostcards]

Just thought I would say - I didn't sell the bike on for profit, I kept it for a couple of years and it took me all over the country!

[meebo1]

I now want to go to a car boot sale

[11thEagle]

I'm doing a table top sale tomorrow so will be keeping my eyes open (if i can get away from my table for 5 mins)

[somersethedge]

we have a big car boot in a very large field in our area every month..... it gets anywhere from 250 to 500 boots every time.... it's supose to start at 10am..... but almost everyone gets there for 5:30 - 6am.... in the winter months all you can see is 100's of torchlight beams bobbing around the field.... and a sudden convergance of beams as the latest booter shows up

[JudesNiceThings]

A Hornsea pottery charger - bought it for £1 - sold it for £96

[cornishmaid1961]

we have a big car boot in a very large field in our area every month..... it gets anywhere from 250 to 500 boots every time.... it's supose to start at 10am..... but almost everyone gets there for 5:30 - 6am.... in the winter months all you can see is 100's of torchlight beams bobbing around the field.... and a sudden convergance of beams as the latest booter shows up

Torch beams? Don't you mean flame thrower in your case Somer to get there first ?!

I suppose it might scorch the postcards though !