Four Steps To Flea Market Bargains
If you like to go collectible shopping but have a small budget, why not look into your local flea market for some marvelous deals? If you happen to be new to the flea market adventure, this information could show you how to have a good time and save a bunch of money while you are at it!
Step One: Find Yourself a Flea
Almost every town around the country will have flea markets nearby. Your phone book is the first place you will want to look. Many of the year-round permanent markets will be listed there. Some shopper guides and local newspapers have advertising for operations that run on a seasonal basis.
Ask your friends, fellow bargain-hunters or neighbors. A simple search on the Internet works great if you have access.
Step Two: Getting Prepared
If you want to find that exceptional bargain, be sure to have done all your research first. If you were to be looking for a particular antique, investigate the item thoroughly prior to purchasing.
Find out what the true value of that item is on the market. Be sure to look at condition, model, rarity, etc. For example, would the Takamine electric guitar be worth less than a similar Fender acoustic electric guitar? Is the black electric guitar model harder to find than a red one?
Have plenty of cash. Most all vendors will prefer to deal with cash instead of checks. Larger flea operations sometimes have an ATM, but do not depend on it. Smaller bills are recommended as many vendors often do not always keep the correct change.
Step Three: Finding the Deals
The early buyers are often the winners at the flea game and there is nothing quite as bad as seeing another person walking away with your special treasure because you arrived a little too late.
Put your hands into it. A lot of flea sellers are not professionals and can be sloppy in how they display their merchandise. Do not be shy about picking things up and looking underneath them. Something is likely to be hiding there.
Step Four: Getting the Deal
Once you find what you have been searching for, all that is left is getting the price that you want. The beauty of flea marketing is that the sellers are usually flexible and almost everything is going to be negotiable.
Haggling is customary at flea markets and you should not be embarrassed to ask for a break in the price. Do not, however, insult a dealer with a ridiculously low offer. He might likely determine he does not like you very much and decide to not give you any kind of break at all.
Talk to the dealers. If you like their merchandise Compliment them on it. Being pleasant and genuinely friendly goes a long way. You will always get a better deal when you act like you deserve it.