The Insiders Guide to Flea Markets - By: Stacey Aaronson

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 the authentic items? What is the
price range the item typically sells for or is worth? Some
dealers 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, an antique mall 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 antique mall
shopping experience can be one of the most fruitful and fun in
your quest for retro and vintage treasures.

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:

The author is an avid vintage treasure collector and frequent
antique flea market explorer. For more tips and information on
shopping vintage-style, visit http://www.50sretrostyle.com