Flea Markets
are a treasure trove of retro kitsch and vintage
treasures. Their size and scope run the gamut of
collectible items, making them overwhelming to even
the most seasoned of flea market shoppers. For this
reason, it is best to arrive as prepared as possible!
Here are some tips and helpful information for making
your trip to a flea market fun and successful:
What it Is: A flea market is generally held in an open venue, such as a stadium or fairgrounds. It is comprised of individual seller’s booths arranged in rows with wide open walkways. Each seller sets up his/her booth with all of the items they have to sell, usually on tables and/or tarps on the ground. Some booths have focused themes, such as art, clothing, jewelry, furniture, etc., while others offer an eclectic mix of items. There are typically hundreds of booths at a flea market, making it a half-day excursion (they generally begin closing around 3:00 p.m.). And flea markets dedicated only to antiques’ sellers are definitely worth the trip!
Pricing: At flea markets, “haggling”, or bargaining over prices is the norm. Don’t insult the seller, but definitely be prepared to offer a lower price than what is being asked. The sellers expect this and will often mark up items knowing they will have to come down in price in the bargaining process. Be willing to state your price - Make the deal or walk away, rather than be pressured into making a purchase. Also, be aware that items left toward the end of the day (you take your chances waiting, but sometimes it pays off!) can be purchased for less than even your original bargaining price - Sellers are more willing to unload goods they haven’t yet sold close to pack-up time.
How to Shop a Flea Market:
Make a list of specific items you’re looking for before you go
Flea markets, like antique malls, are full of so many eclectic wares that you can become easily overwhelmed and distracted. The venues are often spread out and crowded (but don’t let this deter you!), so having one or more items on your agenda will help keep you focused.
Educate yourself as much as possible about the item(s) you are looking for
Does the piece have any identifiable characteristics? Is there a specific year or time frame for authentic items? What is the price range the item typically sells for or is worth? Some sellers have no idea what they actually have, so they may think something is more or less valuable than it actually is.
Set a budget
Know what you are willing to pay for the items you are searching for. If you have no particular items in mind, and you are just searching for random treasures that appeal to you, then give yourself a total amount you wish to spend (if monetary issues apply to you!).
Dress Appropriately
Check the weather, bring layers, and wear comfortable shoes. You will be walking a great deal, so don’t dress for fashion - Dress for comfort! Also, be mindful that the weather is likely to change from the time you arrived to the time you leave, so wear items that can be added or removed. And no matter how overcast it may be, do not forget to wear sunscreen!
Bring something to carry your treasures in
Simply the best investment, if you are going to frequent flea markets, is a cart or wagon to put your purchases in as you shop. Sturdy tote bags are also a must. If you are looking for furniture or larger items, be sure you have the appropriate vehicle for getting the item home. It is typically up to the buyer to get large items to their vehicle on their own, unless the seller happens to offer a delivery service (sometimes they do!).
Bring Cash
Although some sellers accept credit cards (especially if they sell high-ticket items), most will only accept cash. Sometimes you can even negotiate a cash discount.
Bring someone with you
It is always good to have a second opinion when shopping at a flea market; it is also helpful to have another person searching for the items on your list in case you miss something yourself. Plus, it’s often more fun to share the experience!
Arrive Early
Flea markets are chock full of early birds (and you know what they say about the early bird...!), so plan to get up early and be there as close to opening time as possible. In general, flea markets open at 6:00 or 7:00 a.m and many people do arrive this early to get the first pick of the goods. Sometimes you will have to pay a bit higher admission fee to get in within the first couple of hours, then a bit less if you arrive say, after 8:00 a.m. Check with the venue to see what they charge for which hours of admission.
Take Notes
It’s a great idea to have a notepad along to jot down notes about different sellers’ items and locations. Each booth should have a number assigned to it, such as “J28”. Keep track of different booth numbers and the items they offer that are of interest to you. This way, you can roam the entire flea market first without making any purchases - Then you can go back to the booths that have the items you wish to ponder further and “haggle” for good pricing. It can be easy to lose track of where you’ve been at a large venue, so find a way to be organized as you walk the different rows. It will be much easier then to backtrack to your favorite spots.
Bring a camera and take pictures
Especially for higher-priced and larger items, it is good to photograph the item so that you can see if it will work in your home. Many of the larger dealers are always present at the same venue, so it is possible to return for the item at another time.
Overall, a flea market is a great arena to find a plethora of eclectic items for your retro home and personal style. By following the above guidelines and tips, the flea market shopping experience can be one of the most fruitful and fun in your quest for retro and vintage treasures.
The author is an avid vintage treasure collector and frequent antique flea market explorer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stacey_Aaronson
What it Is: A flea market is generally held in an open venue, such as a stadium or fairgrounds. It is comprised of individual seller’s booths arranged in rows with wide open walkways. Each seller sets up his/her booth with all of the items they have to sell, usually on tables and/or tarps on the ground. Some booths have focused themes, such as art, clothing, jewelry, furniture, etc., while others offer an eclectic mix of items. There are typically hundreds of booths at a flea market, making it a half-day excursion (they generally begin closing around 3:00 p.m.). And flea markets dedicated only to antiques’ sellers are definitely worth the trip!
Pricing: At flea markets, “haggling”, or bargaining over prices is the norm. Don’t insult the seller, but definitely be prepared to offer a lower price than what is being asked. The sellers expect this and will often mark up items knowing they will have to come down in price in the bargaining process. Be willing to state your price - Make the deal or walk away, rather than be pressured into making a purchase. Also, be aware that items left toward the end of the day (you take your chances waiting, but sometimes it pays off!) can be purchased for less than even your original bargaining price - Sellers are more willing to unload goods they haven’t yet sold close to pack-up time.
How to Shop a Flea Market:
Make a list of specific items you’re looking for before you go
Flea markets, like antique malls, are full of so many eclectic wares that you can become easily overwhelmed and distracted. The venues are often spread out and crowded (but don’t let this deter you!), so having one or more items on your agenda will help keep you focused.
Educate yourself as much as possible about the item(s) you are looking for
Does the piece have any identifiable characteristics? Is there a specific year or time frame for authentic items? What is the price range the item typically sells for or is worth? Some sellers have no idea what they actually have, so they may think something is more or less valuable than it actually is.
Set a budget
Know what you are willing to pay for the items you are searching for. If you have no particular items in mind, and you are just searching for random treasures that appeal to you, then give yourself a total amount you wish to spend (if monetary issues apply to you!).
Dress Appropriately
Check the weather, bring layers, and wear comfortable shoes. You will be walking a great deal, so don’t dress for fashion - Dress for comfort! Also, be mindful that the weather is likely to change from the time you arrived to the time you leave, so wear items that can be added or removed. And no matter how overcast it may be, do not forget to wear sunscreen!
Bring something to carry your treasures in
Simply the best investment, if you are going to frequent flea markets, is a cart or wagon to put your purchases in as you shop. Sturdy tote bags are also a must. If you are looking for furniture or larger items, be sure you have the appropriate vehicle for getting the item home. It is typically up to the buyer to get large items to their vehicle on their own, unless the seller happens to offer a delivery service (sometimes they do!).
Bring Cash
Although some sellers accept credit cards (especially if they sell high-ticket items), most will only accept cash. Sometimes you can even negotiate a cash discount.
Bring someone with you
It is always good to have a second opinion when shopping at a flea market; it is also helpful to have another person searching for the items on your list in case you miss something yourself. Plus, it’s often more fun to share the experience!
Arrive Early
Flea markets are chock full of early birds (and you know what they say about the early bird...!), so plan to get up early and be there as close to opening time as possible. In general, flea markets open at 6:00 or 7:00 a.m and many people do arrive this early to get the first pick of the goods. Sometimes you will have to pay a bit higher admission fee to get in within the first couple of hours, then a bit less if you arrive say, after 8:00 a.m. Check with the venue to see what they charge for which hours of admission.
Take Notes
It’s a great idea to have a notepad along to jot down notes about different sellers’ items and locations. Each booth should have a number assigned to it, such as “J28”. Keep track of different booth numbers and the items they offer that are of interest to you. This way, you can roam the entire flea market first without making any purchases - Then you can go back to the booths that have the items you wish to ponder further and “haggle” for good pricing. It can be easy to lose track of where you’ve been at a large venue, so find a way to be organized as you walk the different rows. It will be much easier then to backtrack to your favorite spots.
Bring a camera and take pictures
Especially for higher-priced and larger items, it is good to photograph the item so that you can see if it will work in your home. Many of the larger dealers are always present at the same venue, so it is possible to return for the item at another time.
Overall, a flea market is a great arena to find a plethora of eclectic items for your retro home and personal style. By following the above guidelines and tips, the flea market shopping experience can be one of the most fruitful and fun in your quest for retro and vintage treasures.
The author is an avid vintage treasure collector and frequent antique flea market explorer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stacey_Aaronson
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Flea
Markets:
The Insider’s Guide to Hunting for Retro and Vintage Treasures
The Insider’s Guide to Hunting for Retro and Vintage Treasures
by Stacey
Aaronson