Car boot sale vs selling online vs a fixed offer: which is easiest?

You've had a clear-out and there's a pile of perfectly good stuff by the door. Now what? Most people in the UK end up choosing between a car boot sale, selling online, or giving things away. There's a fourth option too: getting a fixed cash offer and posting it off. Each has its place, and the right one depends on what you're selling and how much time you have.

The car boot sale

Car boot sales are part of British weekend life. They're sociable, you can shift a lot of small items in one morning, and buyers pay cash on the spot.

The good: it's quick for low-value bits and bobs, you don't need to photograph or describe anything, and anything you sell is gone that day.

The less good: early starts, pitch fees, unpredictable weather and a lot of haggling. Buyers at a car boot expect bargains, so more valuable items — a games console, a camera, a stand mixer — often go for far less than they're worth. Whatever doesn't sell goes back in the car.

Best for: a big mix of low-value items you just want gone.

Selling it yourself online (eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Vinted and others)

The good: you reach a big audience and can set your own price. For rarer items, an auction can find the right buyer.

The less good: it's work. Every item needs photos, a description, research into what it's worth, and answering questions. Then there are no-shows for collections, time-wasters, people offering half your price, and on posted sales you're packing and paying for postage yourself and handling any disputes. Many people start with good intentions and end up with a list of half-written drafts.

Best for: a few high-value or unusual items, if you have the time and enjoy the process.

Giving it away or donating

Charity shops, local reuse groups and Freecycle-style groups are a great way to give things a second life. Many charity shops can't take electrical items, so check first.

Best for: items of little resale value that still have plenty of life in them.

A fixed cash offer

This is what SendForCash does. You describe the item and its condition, get an instant cash offer, and if you accept, we email a free postage label. Box it up, drop it off at a post office or parcel shop, and we pay you the same day we inspect, by bank transfer or PayPal.

The good: no photos, no listings, no haggling, no strangers at your door, no 6am start. One fixed offer per item, valid for five days once you accept. If your item doesn't match the description, we explain and offer a revised price — or post it back free if you'd rather.

The less good: we only buy working items that can be posted (up to 30kg and 1.5m long), with a £15 minimum offer. We don't take clothes, shoes, bags, fashion accessories, designer goods or traditional watches.

Best for: anything working and worth £15 or more that you'd rather not spend weeks selling — tech, LEGO, kitchen appliances, tools, instruments, collectables and more.

Mix and match

The smartest clear-outs usually combine methods:

1. Get instant offers for the valuable, postable things — it takes a few minutes and you'll know where you stand.
2. Take the low-value bits to a car boot or a charity shop.
3. Recycle what's broken — see e-waste recycling in the UK for electricals.

Our room-by-room decluttering guide can help you work out what to keep in the first place.

FAQ

Is it worth doing a car boot sale for electronics?

You can, but buyers can't easily test items on a field, so they'll offer low. Working electronics usually do better with an online sale or a fixed offer.

How do I avoid scams when selling on Facebook Marketplace?

Don't accept payment links sent by buyers, don't share codes sent to your phone, and be wary of anyone asking to pay via a courier they arrange. For collections, meet in a public place and take payment before handing anything over.

Do I need to declare money from selling my own stuff?

Selling your own unwanted personal belongings is generally different from trading. HMRC has guidance on when selling online becomes a business — check gov.uk if you're selling regularly or buying to resell.