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Good times for UK car boot sales Good times for UK car boot sales
(1 day later)
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Look around the Battersea car boot sale.Look around the Battersea car boot sale.
By James Fletcher BBC NewsBy James Fletcher BBC News
There aren't many people in the UK who would say that business is booming, but it seems that hard times are good times for car boot sales.There aren't many people in the UK who would say that business is booming, but it seems that hard times are good times for car boot sales.
Tracey Hobson, who has been running a boot sale in a London school playground for 10 years, says the number of people wanting to sell their old possessions from the back of their car has risen as the economy has slowed.Tracey Hobson, who has been running a boot sale in a London school playground for 10 years, says the number of people wanting to sell their old possessions from the back of their car has risen as the economy has slowed.
"This time last year we were getting around 250 enquiries a week about pitches. By September or October last year we were getting around 500," she says."This time last year we were getting around 250 enquiries a week about pitches. By September or October last year we were getting around 500," she says.
That's more than ever before, and the proportion of first-timers is higher than usual, Tracey says.That's more than ever before, and the proportion of first-timers is higher than usual, Tracey says.
On a grey Sunday morning, the new sellers are the first to arrive and start setting up their stalls.On a grey Sunday morning, the new sellers are the first to arrive and start setting up their stalls.
It's a leisurely start. By 11am, one playground is half-full of cars and trestle tables, and the canteen truck is doing a steady trade in sausage rolls and cups of tea to ward off the cold.It's a leisurely start. By 11am, one playground is half-full of cars and trestle tables, and the canteen truck is doing a steady trade in sausage rolls and cups of tea to ward off the cold.
Hard timesHard times
Nothing is priced, and many of the first-time sellers make it up as they go along. CDs, clothes, vacuum cleaners, bric-a-brac, watches… most sell for a couple of pounds ($2.80), and soon some car boots are almost picked clean.Nothing is priced, and many of the first-time sellers make it up as they go along. CDs, clothes, vacuum cleaners, bric-a-brac, watches… most sell for a couple of pounds ($2.80), and soon some car boots are almost picked clean.
Some sellers are after extra cash, others are struggling to stay solventMany of the sellers are clearing out junk or selling surplus possessions after moving house. For most of them, it's a fun day out, and a chance to earn some extra cash and help the environment by not throwing things away.Some sellers are after extra cash, others are struggling to stay solventMany of the sellers are clearing out junk or selling surplus possessions after moving house. For most of them, it's a fun day out, and a chance to earn some extra cash and help the environment by not throwing things away.
But Tracey Hobson says some people are driven to sell their possessions after falling on hard times.But Tracey Hobson says some people are driven to sell their possessions after falling on hard times.
"I have had stories of children being pulled out of private school, people coming along because they're so broke they need the money, because the husband hasn't got his bonus, and they're thinking, 'Well why not?'""I have had stories of children being pulled out of private school, people coming along because they're so broke they need the money, because the husband hasn't got his bonus, and they're thinking, 'Well why not?'"
Bargain huntBargain hunt
By early afternoon the professional traders have arrive, and the market has swollen to around 100 stalls covering two playgrounds. Vintage clothing is on sale next to antiques, cheap running shoes next to second-hand electronic goods. By early afternoon the professional traders have arrived, and the market has swollen to around 100 stalls covering two playgrounds. Vintage clothing is on sale next to antiques, cheap running shoes next to second-hand electronic goods.
A long line of ordinary shoppers out for bargains snakes round the block, queuing to pay 50p (70c) to enter. It's clear that tougher economic times are good for the professional traders here too.A long line of ordinary shoppers out for bargains snakes round the block, queuing to pay 50p (70c) to enter. It's clear that tougher economic times are good for the professional traders here too.
"It's good all the year round for us, but at the moment it is very, very good, because things are tight with people," says Chas of Chas'n'Dave, who sell vintage clothing."It's good all the year round for us, but at the moment it is very, very good, because things are tight with people," says Chas of Chas'n'Dave, who sell vintage clothing.
At the end of the day, Tracey is happy. The rain has held off, and there has been a big crowd. She publishes a boot sale magazine, as well as running this market, and says sales across London are doing well out of the downturn.At the end of the day, Tracey is happy. The rain has held off, and there has been a big crowd. She publishes a boot sale magazine, as well as running this market, and says sales across London are doing well out of the downturn.
"Certainly established boot sales are seeing an increase… People are coming in and realising it's a way out of this crisis." "Certainly established boot sales are seeing an increase. People are coming in and realising it's a way out of this crisis."