How to Shop the Flea Market for Your First Apartment

Flea markets are a great place to find furniture for your first apartment. They are better than thrift store because many times you can negotiage on the price of a piece of furniture. You can also pick up on those odds and ends, like cookie sheets. You can hunt for kitchen items you have forgotten to sneak away with from your parent's house.

Flea Markets are called flea markets because shoppers often bustle around like fleas in search of great bargains. No doubt in the past some folks brought some items infested with fleas. Today's flea markets are a bit more organized and most vendors even accept credit cards. Some furniture vendors at the flea market may actually deliver your incredible furniture find to your door.

When you go to flea market pick a day the weather is nice and make it a day outing with your friends.
Most flea markets have an equally interesting number of food vendors. You can always buy some inexpensive silly kitsch; if you do not find serious furnishings for your first home. The point is the flea markets can be cheap entertainment for you and your friends; as well of a source of household supplies.

When you do find a piece of furniture that interests you then you need to take your time to inspect it. Most dents, dings, and scratches can be easily repaired with some stain and a mixture of saw dust and glue. The important issue is the piece be in solid condition so that it will not fall apart during the process of being moved or when you sit on it.

Look for any indication of insect infestation in upholstered furniture. Bed bugs have become an issue today. You should look for indications of them on any piece of cloth covered furniture. Never buy used mattresses or mattresses that have been recycled from old mattresses at the flea market. You may save some money, but the risk of bed bugs is too great. Other furniture you can cover with plastic for a few weeks to make sure it is clear of creepy crawlies.

Many times fleas markets will offer new furniture that have been brought from overstocks. You would need to compare the price of this furniture outside of the flea market to know if you were truly getting a bargain. Most flea market vendors who carry new merchandise are permanent fixtures at a particular flea market. If you can come back to purchase new furniture; after you sees what it was selling for on the normal retail market.

You can also look at the flea market for the perfect table cloth. You can take table that you can make the plastic resin patio table you are using as a kitchen table looks more acceptable in your apartment. Be creative. You will save the most money and time if you look for pieces that go with the things you already own. If you purchase lamps at the flea market; test the lamps to make sure they work properly. Do a detailed inspection on the entire piece of furniture or accessory you plan to purchase, before you leave the vendor's booth. Merchandise sold at the flea market is normally not returnable.

Remember to offer cash to vendors if you believe it will get you a discount. You can also negotiate on any thing you want to buy. The worst thing that can happen is the vendor does not lower his price. You can always try at another vendor in the market.

Buying your first for your first apartment at the flea market is a great way to save money on furnishings for your first apartment. It is also a way to spend a great afternoon and learn something about the joy of finding a true bargain

Sources:
http://philadelphia.about.com/b/2008/03/17/a-step-by-step-guide-to-shopping-at-garage-sales-tag-sales-and-flea-markets-2.htm

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http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/secrets-to-shopping-flea-markets?lnc=c479cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD