Spring often heralds the beginning of the car boot season – so Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards are issuing their top car boot tips for buyers and sellers.
Buyers
- Most people selling at car boots are private individuals – not traders, so you have fewer consumer rights if you buy from them than you would if you bought the same item in a shop. They are only required to describe their goods correctly, so ‘caveat emptor’ or ‘buyer beware’ very much applies.
- Many old and damaged products find their way on to car boot sales. Be careful when buying used goods, especially toys and electrical items. Check for damaged wiring, and sharp edges and ask if they come with instructions.
- Unscrupulous traders may try to sell fake goods at car boot sales. Counterfeit DVD’s are often of poor quality, some may even be blank, and computer software may not work.
- We advise you don’t buy items like irons, car seats, helmets or electrical fires at car boot sales.
Sellers
- If you are buying goods to sell at a car boot sale or regularly sell any goods at such events you will probably be classed as a trader. Make sure therefore you are familiar with the legal implications of selling as a trader.
- Even if you are not considered to be a trader, if you describe goods you are selling and that description turns out to be inaccurate, you are required to give a refund, replacement or a partial refund to reflect the misdescription.
- We advise people not to sell items like irons, child car seats, helmets and electrical fires at car boot sales.
- We recommend not selling nightwear as it may not meet the flammability requirements that traders are required to adhere to. Also be wary of selling clothes with other potential hazards, such as a child's coat with a hood-cord.
- If you sell toys always give them a good inspection to ensure there are no sharp edges or points, or small parts that can be pulled off and thereby constitute a choking hazard. Sell the toys with and inside the original packaging if you still have it, and with the instructions.
|