Flea Market Tips for Success

If you love Flea Markets like I do, you're in your element. If you have never been to a flea market, you are really missing out on something big. Flea markets have everything in the world and the prices are great.

In order to make your flea market shopping a success, follow these tips listed below and good luck on your finds.

First you need to prepare yourself. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. You will be doing lots of walking. Consider clothing that has lots of pockets. Keys, money, check book, pen and paper, etc. If the flea market is outside, take a light jacket, umbrella, sunscreen, or what ever you need for the elements. Consider a shoulder tote bag and take out everything you don't need to carry. This will get heavy the longer you walk around.
In your tote bag you might need your cell phone, wish list, tape measure, swatches of fabric and a map, if you are planning to hit several places.

If you are looking for something big for your living room, bedroom, or dinning room, a floor plan might come in handy with the measurements on it. You might want to take several pictures of your rooms to remind your self of the colors you have.

For those items you purchase that are delicate or could get scratched, bring some type of packing material. Blankets and sheets work great, if you have some bubble wrap around that's even better. Also don't forget boxes for those small items that could roll around in your vehicle.

You'll also want to have a small tool kit in your car so you can take legs off of tables, etc. This tool kit should contain a screwdriver, hammer, pliers, and vice grips for those stubborn screws.

Most flea markets that are indoors, will take checks, with proper ID, and credit cards, but if this is an outdoors flea market that is held once or twice a year; most dealers will only take cash so have plenty on you. You might want to grab a handful of plastic shopping bags that you can stuff in your tote bag or pocket. These will come in handy for the many small items you purchase.

Plan to get there as early as possible so the good items aren't gone. The best selections of the hot items are usually gone by noon.

Have a plan before you arrive. Most people make a quick turn of everything, and then go back to what caught their interest. Others start at one end and work there way slowly through each booth. If there is an information booth, check it out. There you will find a list of the vendors and what they have for sale. This way if you are looking for a particular item you can go directly to that booth first.

When shopping at a flea market, you can become over whelmed with all the items that are offered. The best way to handle this is to just take a step back at each individual booth, scan the area, when something catches your eye your know to inter that booth. If nothing catches your eye, that booth may not be fore you. Make a note on paper to stop back by this booth when you have been through the entire area. Do the same thing at each booth and the over whelming feeling will disappear.

If you love antiques but your not every good at judging them, take along a guidebook to help you answer some of your questions. Don't be afraid to as questions, tips from the vendor, most vendors are very happy to answer any questions they can and tell you about the item you are interested in.

One thing about flea markets, you have to have a keen eye and think possibilities. How one item may appear may not be the way you would use it. You need to be creative. If something doesn't look perfect, look beyond it and see the bones of the piece. Could you paint it a different color? Would that lamp look good with a new shade? That frame could be gold-leafed. The possibilities are endless.

You have found that perfect item but it is priced a little high. Don't be afraid to negotiate especially if you have cash. You need to ask, "What's your best price for cash?" or "Would you take $_____ cash right now?" Vendors love cash, it saves them from going to the bank.

The important thing is to have fun. You won't find that perfect item on your wish list every time, but I bet you will come home with some neat finds.