| Why pay retail for everything? You shouldn't have | | | | The flea market is all about coming across the |
| to and you won't have to once you discover the | | | | unexpected. You don't need it but you just can't |
| world of flea markets. Not everyone likes antique | | | | leave it behind. If you buy it, don't worry. You will |
| furniture or vintage porcelain and pottery but | | | | know exactly where it is going to go before you |
| everyone likes a good deal. There are many good | | | | get it home. Once you get it home, if you decide |
| deals to be had at a flea market - especially a | | | | that no matter what you do it just is not going to |
| large flea market. | | | | work, there is always Aunt Donna's birthday. |
| Even if you are more into contemporary | | | | Never do at a flea market what you would at a |
| furnishings and decorative imports, there are | | | | department store. When you find items that you |
| many other items available at these shopping | | | | know you are going to buy - buy them right then |
| venues from sunglasses to food. Although they | | | | and there. Do not continue shopping with the |
| have something for everyone, antiques and | | | | intention of buying them on the way back. They |
| collectibles are the backbone of most flea | | | | will be gone. Also, you can't ask a dealer to hold |
| markets. Antique flea markets, or the antique | | | | an item for you because you do not want to |
| areas that are usually found within general flea | | | | carry it around. The dealer may tell you that she |
| markets, offer hundreds of folding banquet tables | | | | will hold it but the first person with cash that eyes |
| full of fabulous and hard to find vintage items. | | | | "your" item will be the one taking it home. Most |
| The beginner might find such an atmosphere | | | | dealers have heard, "I'll be back," many times |
| somewhat intimidating - especially if the flea | | | | before. |
| market covers an acre or more in space. Wear | | | | Unless it is a dealer that you know, do not pay |
| practical shoes so you can cover as much space | | | | for an item and then leave it until later. Although |
| as possible in comfort. You also need to show up | | | | most dealers are reputable, you do not want to |
| early. If you take too long getting there, the really | | | | return a couple of hours later just to find out that |
| good deals will already be gone. Many of them are | | | | the dealer you paid has already packed up and |
| gone just around the time the sun comes up. Go | | | | left for the day. |
| to bed early the night before so you will be on | | | | To properly take advantage of all of the deals a |
| top of your game and ready to snatch up some | | | | flea market has to offer, consider spending the |
| of the best deals you are likely to find anywhere. | | | | entire day. If you can't do that, you should plan on |
| Shoppers are used to merchandise with tags | | | | being there very early in the morning. You should |
| identifying what an item is and how much it costs. | | | | then plan on returning later in the day about an |
| If you are new to this, be prepared for confusing | | | | hour before closing. Early in the morning will |
| tags or no tags at all. You won't find any | | | | provide you with the best selection but the |
| organized or aesthetically pleasing shelves carefully | | | | highest prices. Later in the day, the selection |
| labeled with everything you need to know. You | | | | won't be as good but the prices will be a lot |
| will find chaos and you will learn to love it. | | | | better. |
| In order to secure the best deal, the first rule is | | | | Most dealers don't want to pack up everything |
| to know what you are looking for. You can find a | | | | they have left and haul it back to their shops or |
| wonderful piece of vintage pottery at a very | | | | garages. They would rather sell it at a reduced |
| good price but you can also find a knock-off that | | | | price. If they had a good day, most likely they |
| looks a lot like the real thing. Unfortunately, the | | | | have already made a profit. This is when you can |
| knock-off isn't worth the space it takes up on the | | | | do your best negotiating. Keep in mind that they |
| table. Knowledge is king. | | | | will give you their best prices if you will give them |
| Try not to concentrate on finding a specific item. | | | | cash. Don't use credit cards or personal checks. |
| If you are looking for a particular thing, there is a | | | | The dealers would rather not take them, and with |
| good chance that you will never find it. You will | | | | identity theft as prevalent as it is, it is safer to |
| also not find all of the great deals you missed | | | | keep those things in your wallet. |
| while you were looking for that one elusive piece. | | | | |