Flea Market Expenses: The Cost of Doing Business

There are so many different types of flea markets. You can find any type of sales venue, from the once a year community sale at the school or the church, to the gigantic indoor shopping marts. In general, the smaller the market, the less it costs to rent a space at it. This may not always hold true if the flea market is being held for a specific charity or other fund. It is also true that, the smaller the space, the less it will cost.

The rental fee for an outdoor flea market spot is usually between five and twenty dollars. For this amount, you may or may not get a table to display your merchandise on. At some venues, the rental of a table costs an additional five dollars or so. Outdoor flea market space may include a space to park your car next to or behind your table, which is very convenient for unpacking the things you wish to sell.

Occasionally, a flea market owner will charge more if the vendor is selling new items as opposed to used garage sale type items. Spaces in high traffic areas, such as near the parking lots or the building that houses the bathrooms and food markets, may cost more.

Indoor tables and booths are generally more expensive: from twenty-five to several hundred dollars. The lower end may get you a one-day table, the upper end could be a permanent, lockable stall complete with electricity.

If you attend a particular flea market regularly, you might be able to reserve a table or booth by the month or even the year. Paying in advance may save you some money in the long run.

Other than paying for the actual flea market space to sell your products, there are limited expenses involved. If you sell new merchandise, of course, there is the wholesale cost of those goods. This must be taken into account when pricing your products so that you get a decent profit from the sales.

Buying gas to drive there and the cost of breakfast or lunch would be the only other expenditures at the flea market. It might be wiser to pack food and drink from home instead of purchasing higher-priced prepared food at the flea market.

Selling at flea markets and swap meets is much less expensive and risky than opening up a brick and mortar store. If you sell used merchandise, that is not usually an option, unless you get into the thrift business. Not only is the cost of the actual space much less, you do not have to worry about such things as utilities, employees or cleaning costs.

Getting into flea market sales is the least expensive way to begin your face-to-face sales business.