Flea Market Merchant: How to Get Started Selling

If you've ever been to a flea market, you know that it's a great place to find unbelievable bargains. What you may not know, is that it's easy to step across the flea market table, become a seller, and make great money in a unique and fun atmosphere. If you've ever thought about starting a business, you can build an inventory and rent a flea market space without a hefty business loan or the immense time burden of owning a full retail store.

Check your local online listings for flea market locations. Get in contact with the site management and make inquiries about space rental rates and terms. Unlike retail rental space, flea market booths are extremely affordable and offer much more flexible terms. For example, if you wanted to try out your business for a brief period before attempting to take on selling full time, it may be possible to find flea market rental terms as short as one month. Renting a retail store requires you to carry insurance, put money into refurbishing the space, and take on a full-time job managing the business. Flea market sellers avoid all of that! You just fill the booths with your items and get started selling right away. Most flea markets are open only on weekends as well, allowing you to make this new venture a 'side business' and keep your regular job during the week.

If you have just a few items you'd like to sell, don't waste your time with a garage sale. Check your local flea market for consignment booths. This is a way to make money through the flea market with even less time and money spent on your part. You simply allow an existing vendor to sell your goods from his booth, pay that vendor a small percentage, and keep the rest as pure profit! So whether you're looking to unload an old piece of furniture you no longer want, or you need a place to sell that beautiful beaded jewelry you've been making, flea market consignment may be the solution for you!

You can sell virtually anything at a flea market. If you have a pastime you enjoy, such as crafting, wood-working, or art, flea markets can offer you the chance to make your hobby your livelihood. You can also make big profits by purchasing used items at deep discounts and selling them at the flea market. Furniture, movies, art, clothing - all these items can be purchased cheaply and re-sold at your booth to make you money. When choosing what you're going to sell, an important rule of thumb: sell something you love. Flea market selling is not just a chance to make money. It's a chance to nurture your hidden talents and passions and share them with your community.

Expert selling is definitely optional at the flea market. You don't have to have retail or sales experience to push your goods. In fact, flea market vendor often see more profit when they avoid the 'slick salesman' routine and stick to a more down-to-earth, friendly approach. If people are interested in your goods, simply be knowledgeable enough to answer their questions, and polite enough not to push too hard for the sale. Flea market shoppers love a good bargain. Consider marking your items (especially your specialty goods) for more money than you are actually willing to accept. Then, if a shopper seems interested in your item, you can discount the price for him right then and there. Don't be afraid to haggle back and forth with your customers. Simply be firm and direct in your negotiations and never let a customer bully you into discounting an item more than you're comfortable with. This is your inventory and your business, so keep control over the final word in price negotiations.

Get started selling at a flea market and you'll see the financial and personal benefits right away. You can finally fulfill your dream of owning your own business and selling something you're truly proud of!