A savvy shopper has shared how she makes thousands of pounds a month by reselling high-value items she buys for low prices at car boot sales.
As a student, Becky Chorlton started visiting car boot sales to try and make some extra money. Now aged 24, she has since started her own business, Becky's Bazaar, which she runs full-time, selling items on eBay, Depop and Vinted.
Becky shared some of her top bargain hunting tips with Latest Deals. She said: "I buy and sell from vintage wholesalers in the winter to make enough money when the car boots have shut down at the end of the summer, but I also make sure I have enough stock from summer car boots to get me through the colder months.
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"I also find hidden treasures in charity shops regularly too. I make enough money to comfortably live on, and I think the longer I do this, the more knowledgeable I become about vintage clothing and finding bargains."
Sharing her advice on finding hidden gems at car boot sales, Becky said: "It's always wise to plan before you go - research key information such as when it opens and join the Facebook group so you can see if it's been called off due to factors such as weather. Don't forget to bring cash and lots of bags - you need a way to carry all your bargains and reusing old bags is the way forward.
"Once you're there, keep an open mind. Don't go into a car boot sale with a specific item you want to find. The joy of shopping secondhand is finding unique pieces you love, so learn to look for the potential in items you might now like at first glance.
"Rummage high and low when you're looking around. All the treasures are usually hidden in boxes and places where everybody else is too lazy to look in, so get digging. Also, keep all seasons in mind when you're browsing. Items out of season are usually cheaper and more readily available.
"You'll want to check items thoroughly once you've found something you like. There's nothing worse than finding a hole or stain in an item after you have bought it. Items can be repaired, but make sure you know what you're dealing with first."
Whilst many car boot sales only operate during the warmer months, charity shops are open all year round and are another place that Becky finds some of her best bargains. She added: "Get some research in and find charity shops that are off the beaten track.
"You may only know about your local high street charity shop, but chances are that's where everyone else is going, which is why you aren't finding anything. Google is your best friend here - plan a route to a store you never knew existed, and you'll likely be surprised at what you find there.
"When browsing, ensure you don't miss a section. Sometimes charity shops wrongly categorise pieces - I've found some of my favourite items in the men's and children's sections.
"An item is rare when there aren't many in circulation. For example, there were no Red Bull jackets in blue and red on eBay or any other second-hand selling website. This means demand and therefore the price for that item will be high.
Sharing her advice for other people hoping to make money from selling second hand items, Becky said: "To become a Depop verified top seller, you have to make a total of £2,500 a month selling on the app. I achieved this by listing new stock daily and gaining a loyal customer base through fast shipping, quick replies and free gifts in every order.
"Don't compare yourself to any other shop - everyone started out somewhere. Find a niche you like - I'm passionate about selling vintage racing pieces. Be consistent with uploading new stock, so customers can constantly discover your page.
"If you make a mistake, face it head-on and fix it in the most professional way you possibly can for that customer. For example, I accidentally shipped an item to the wrong address when I first started. More often than not, people will appreciate honesty and transparency as everyone is human and makes mistakes."
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