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It’s Flea Markets season! Many of us are getting lost among the thousands of random items and pass right by what we’re looking for. Let’s break down the best strategies as I share my own proven tips to make you a flea market pro!
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There’s something special about flea markets. They offer a completely different shopping experience compared to mass stores and are an absolute must for vintage lovers. Every flea market serves as a cultural peek into a country, city, and its people. Whether you are shopping close to home or visiting new places, purchasing items from flea markets allows you to bring home pieces with character and history that you wouldn’t find anywhere else. These unique finds add a distinct touch to your home, making it truly one-of-a-kind.
1. Early Bird Gets the Worm
Maybe it goes without saying, but show up early! The good finds tend to get snatched up first. Try to develop a strategy for working your way through the rows and booths: If there is crowding at the beginning, head to the back of the market and start from there, working your way back to the front. Alternatively, coming at the end of the day means the vendors want to get rid of excess items and lower their prices considerably. Some vendors even make a box of leftover items that you can take for free!
2. Always Carry Cash
Be quick and ready with some cash in hand, as vendors typically prefer this option and may not even accept credit cards. This is also a good opportunity to mention: make a budget! Prepare an estimate of what you are looking for and wish to buy, do a little price research, and withdraw the estimated cash before going to the event. I recommend withdrawing just a bit more than your final budget for any unexpected finds (like a gorgeous jewelry box that you just really really had to buy!).
3. Make a List
In the spirit of budgeting, do yourself a favor and make a list of items you wish to purchase. You would be surprised how easily you could forget that you actually needed a new set of measuring cups but hadn’t opened that kitchen drawer in so long that it just slipped your mind.
Of course, a lot of the time we don’t exactly know what we’re looking for until it’s right in front of us, so a general list works as well. For example, 4-6 decorative items, 1 lamp, 5-10 picture frames. Write an estimated price next to every item. At the market, note every item you actually buy and its price. This will make it easier to follow your budget and check if you are buying what you really need or getting lost and overbuying.
4. Do Your Research
As a direct continuation to number 3, a bit of research before going to the flea market can go a long way. Research the market – what type is it, and what am I expected to find there? The second step is to research the desired items in general, understanding their average price in the market (both new and vintage). This information could later serve as a great haggling tool with the vendors.
5. Not All Vintage Is Gold
So you are interested in an item, and the vendor promises you it is authentic and has been passed down for five generations from his mother’s side. It is very easy to get swept up in the stories among all the beautiful vintage items, but when you get back home, the item on its own might make you doubt your choice.
Before trusting the vendor, you first have to trust yourself. Don’t be shy to touch the item, open it, close it, flip it in all directions, and ask a lot of questions, from the year of making and quality of fabric/wood/china to past use and provenance. If you have a small doubt at the moment of buying, it will only get worse when you place it in your home.
6. Bring a Measuring Tape
Make yourself a shopper’s kit. Measuring at home for furniture space will help you measure and understand sizes better at the market. Bring a magnifying glass for delicate items and don’t be shy to use it, it saves time and money!
7. Connect with the Vendors
A smile and friendly conversation can go a long way, particularly when the haggling starts. If you like one item from a certain booth, try to hunt for a few others to create a bundle and pay less than the sum of the individual items. For example, if you see two items priced at $4 each, you can try to ask for both for $7 or even $6.
Additionally, ask about the history of the items. Showing genuine interest can make vendors more willing to negotiate. Compliment their collection, ask for recommendations, and build rapport. This can also lead to them giving you a heads-up on new arrivals or special deals.
8. Make Quick Decisions
This is for the overthinkers among us (myself included). Don’t pass on an item that you like just because there are hundreds different versions of it in other booths. You won’t see them all, you won’t find anything prettier, and when you will try to go back to that first one you either won’t find the booth again or someone else already bought it. Trust your intuition, if an item answers your initial needs, and feels right in your hands, get it.
Final Thoughts
Dress comfortably, use your intuition and keen eye, and keep your spirits up! Truly believe that the perfect piece you have been looking for is hiding in that huge pile of items, and it will appear before your eyes. When you feel like you’ve had enough but haven’t found what you’re looking for, take a break, eat something, and go over your lists and notes again – don’t lose hope, it’s there. Enjoy!
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