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How to Shop at Flea Markets and be Successful by Tracy Haws
There are several reasons people go to the flea market to shop. Some go to find unusual, or unique items while others go just to get some great bargains. Whatever the reason may be, here are some tips and tricks that have been proven successful in many-a-flea market shopping trip!
First of all, the following are 6 items that may help your flea market trip go smoother:
1. Cash
2. Tape Measure
3. Comfortable clothing/shoes
4. Blankets and/or sheets for wrapping large items.
5. Dollie, Hand Truck, or Wagon to lug your items.
6. Flashlight to check for quality.
7. A Truck or SUV to haul your treasures home!
Before you go to the flea market (preferably the night before), premeasure those spaces in your home you are planning to buy for. Also, don't forget to take out enough cash to last you all your purchases and make sure you have plenty of different bills. It doesn't go over very well when you bargain an item from $20 down to $15 and then proceed to pay with your $20 bill!
If you don't have measuring tape, keep in mind that a dollar bill is appx 6 inches long.
If you are heading to the market to look for rare, unique items, you need to arrive EARLY! Arriving while vendors are still setting up is a good time to arrive as you will be the first to see what the vendor has in stock!
However, with the above fact stated, I would like to add that the best bargains are most often given at the end of the day! So if you are going for the bargain, go toward the close of the day.
Don't buy the first thing you see that you like (unless it is an absolute must-have). Shop other aisles before purchasing as there may be other items you may find that better suits your needs.
Because there are no returns at the flea market, inspect each item you consider purchasing very closely! This is where the flashlight will come in handy (if you have arrived before the sunrise).
Everyone hopes for a great bargain at the flea market! One of the things that makes the flea market so unique is that it is one of the only places where you can actually bargain with the seller! Before bargaining with your vendor, ask him/her if the price is firm. This way, you aren't offending them by offering half price when it may be an item that they know is worth more. If the vendor says the price is not firm, then he/she has given you permission to bargain, so have a price ready in mind before you ask the question! Don't forget that, most of the time, the more you buy from a vendor the bigger the discount will be!
Many vendors will hold big items for you until the end of your shopping trip, so don't be afraid to make those purchases early. Just ask!
If you are going to the flea market with a certain "something" in mind that you are not seeing, just ask! Many times the seller won't have room to put certain items out and so they just might have your item waiting in the back!
Most of all, have an open mind when shopping at the flea market! Be creative! There may be many old items that can serve for new uses and unique accessories! An old rusty waterer can serve as a flower pot! An old chippy bucket can serve as a magazine holder. An old baluster can serve as a candlestick! Be creative!
Copywright Shabby Addict 2008. All Rights Reserved.
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