Flea Market Shopping Guide

Looking for a treasure? Then, it's time to skip the crowded, overpriced mall and head to the flea market. Who needs mass-produced 'vintage-style' jeans that cost ninety bucks a pop at Abercrombie, when you can get the real deal much cheaper and in a much more enjoyable environment at the flea market? Virtually anything you're looking for can be found at a market: art, clothes, books, movies, linens - and especially furniture and home décor items. But before you hop in the car and head to your nearby flea market, a few tips to make your shopping adventure both fun and worth while.

Get Ready... You can find a flea market location or event in your area simply by doing a little Internet digging. If you can find reviews written about the markets, read them! Every location and event is very unique, so the opinions and experiences of others who have blazed the trail at that particular market are invaluable.

Get a general idea of what you're looking for. The beauty of flea markets is the originality and diversity of items to purchase, but that can also be overwhelming. It's easy to go with the intention of looking for some cool retro patio chairs, but end up coming home with a trunk full of stuffed animals instead! Just as in all shopping environments, it's advisable to keep a cool head and know the difference between an impulse buy and a true must-have treasure.

On the other hand, don't get your heart set on finding anything too specific. For example, you may find that great vintage bench you've been looking for, but it may not be the exact shade you'd hoped, nor be in perfect condition. Keep an open mind about things like colors and conditions. At the bargain prices you'll be purchasing the items at, you can afford to put a little cash into some form of restoration or customization, if necessary.

Get Set... Try to arrive at the flea market early. The best items will still be there for the taking, and the vendors will be fresh and ready to cut you bargains. By the end of the day at a flea market, the booths have often been ransacked by eager bargain hunters sifting through goods. The earlier you come, the more organized the booths will be, making it easier for you to spot what you're looking for.

You'll need a little more than just your wallet for a flea market shopping trip. Make sure you fill that wallet with cash. I've yet to find a flea market where all the vendors accept major credit cards or personal checks. Also, make sure some of that cash is broken into small bills. You don't want to miss out on a bargain price just because the vendor doesn't have proper change.

Bring a cart or even a rolling duffle bag. These vendors generally don't have fancy handled bags, and often bag your purchases are packed in plastic grocery store bags. But plastic bags can tear and wreak havoc on your purchases.

Many flea markets are huge, sprawling complexes filled with hundreds of tiny independent booths. If you see an item you want to consider and possibly come back to purchase later, write it down. Carry a pen and a pocket notebook for this purpose. It can be frustrating to go back for an item you saw earlier, only to realize you can't navigate your way through the maze of booths to find it. Some flea market booths have numbers for easy identification, but if not, make notes about the booth, its locations and surroundings. Think of your little notebook as your official flea market treasure map!

Also, flea markets are traditionally outdoors, so make sure to dress for the weather. And don't forget you're comfortable shoes! It's very difficult to focus on finding your bargains while you're too hot, too cold, or your feet are killing you.

Go! The most important thing to bring with you to a flea market is your bargaining spirit. Be prepared to haggle. Haggling is not impolite or inappropriate at a flea market. The vendors expect you to dicker for the best price you can get. In fact, many vendors will deliberately mark their goods at prices higher than they're actually willing to settle for, simply in anticipation of hagglers.

A good haggler is firm, without being aggressive. Decide the absolute highest price you are willing to pay for an item; this is your goal price. To begin, offer about ten percent less than that goal price. A vendor will rarely accept this first low-ball offer, but it does open up negotiations. Be respectful and complimentary about the item without being too enthusiastic. If you tell a vendor that you 'absolutely positively must, must have this,' then he has no reason to lower his price for you. On the other hand, it's never a good idea to insult a vendor's goods by saying an item 'isn't worth' its suggested price. Simply say that it's 'more than you would like to pay'. If a vendor is unwilling to come even near your goal price, simply walk away. Don't pay far more than you intended only to suffer from buyer's remorse later.

Spotting a treasure is, of course, very subjective. Keep an open mind about the items you see and keep a sharp eye out for truly antique items that may be of value. Flea markets are also a great place to find emotionally significant items, like a copy of a book you loved as a child, or a china platter like the one your Grandmother used at Thanksgiving. It's not a good idea to pay a fortune for such items unless you have a true use for them, but if they're inexpensive, pick them up. A treasure's true value is not measured solely in monetary worth, but also in the emotions it can evoke in us.

With these tips in mind, you're ready to find your treasure in the unique and unforgettable environment of a flea market.