We all love a bargain, especially nursery owners hunting books and toys!  Keeping 6 nurseries resourced is an ongoing challenge. Paying 10p for a book means I am not heartbroken if or when it gets torn.

Having many years’ experience of car boot sales, myself and Mrs PaintPots know where to go; which stalls to avoid and how to haggle.

So here are a few observations –

• Choose your car boot sale area – head for “upmarket”
• Seek out families rather than “professionals”
• Look for someone who is fed up and looking to leave – they don’t want to take stuff home and are open to offers
• Do a deal – prices are always cheaper if you buy a bundle of items rather than 1 or 2 (why? – who knows!)
• Mention that you are buying for a pre-school (not a nursery), this even gets stuff thrown in for free!
• Check out prices at different stalls first before buying. Prices vary wildly and for no apparent reason

Why are there always drinking games and foot spas on sale? – not to mention items of a personal nature that no one in their right mind would ever purchase second hand! And what about the pasting tables covered in rusty junk that looks like it has been swept up from a garage floor?

Car boot sales – you’ve got to love them!