Taking a trip to the flea market can be such a fun thing to do on the weekend mornings.
But regardless of when “theres going”, you don’t want to end up wasting one tonne of money on its consideration of this agenda item you go home with. Sure, some things are worth a hunk of cash, but if you can save some money, wouldn’t you want to?
Some of the best pieces come from the depths of a busy flea market, but you’ll never get them for a good cost, or at all, if you don’t walk into the market with a strategy in your back pocket ready to be executed.
The first thing you have to do is walk in with a willingness to barter a bit. Once you’ve move that under your belt, these 10 tips will assist you get the best bargains on some hidden flea market treasures.
What other suggestions do you have for folks heading over to the flea market to find their following statement piece?
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1. Get There Early
You do want to get there early to scope out the field, but you don’t want to start rummaging before the marketers are all set up and ready for you. Watch from afar and stimulate note of which places you want to hit up first without stressing out the vendors and forming a bad relationship.
2. Make Pals With The Dealer
Catching more flies with honey than vinegar definitely applies when it comes to the flea market. Never insult a dealer in any way, and that includes calling that you can get something cheaper online. If you do this, there’s no way that you’ll get the best bargain. If you make friends with the person or persons behind the booth, they are more likely to barter to a point where it’s the best for the both of you.
3. Never Overdress
If you come to the flea market wearing that cashmere sweater and scarf paired with your favorite diamond hang earrings, you are able end up paying more for an item. If you wear jeans and an age-old sweatshirt, on the other hand, you’ll get a better cost. It may seem strange, but the marketers need to make money too, and they are looking out for folks they reckon will give them a higher price.
4. Be Ready To Dig
Many booths are loaded up with items, which means that some of them get buried. You have to make sure that you’re looking up high on the walls, and down low underneath tables. You never know where that one-of-a-kind find is a possibility hiding out.
5. Pay Attention To The Time Of The Season
Outdoor flea markets will be bogged down with tons of good determines at the beginning of the season, so if you’re looking for quality and you’re willing to pay, do your shopping then. If your looking for the best bargains, though, you may want to wait until the end of the season, when the marketers are more willing to lower prices.
The same ideology applies to the time of day.
6. Bundle, Bundle, Bundle
If you visualize more than one piece that you like at one booth, make sure you barter for a bundle. If you don’t see more than one piece you like, appear harder, because you can often get a smaller item for essentially free if you bundle with a bigger ticket item.
7. Play It Cool
Even if you find that one specific item that you’ve been searching for for years, don’t act overly interested. That could drive up the cost. Again, the marketer must be free to make their living too, and if they visualize a glimmering in your eye they will know that the stakes are raised.
8. Don’t Get Distracted
Flea markets can be a lot to take in, and it’s very easy to get distracted by shiny things out of the corner of your eye. If you are there on a mission for specific things, keep your blinders on and make a list so that you’re one of the first people to lay eyes on your gem. And make sure you know how much you want to spend on each item before you even get in the car.
9. Look Beyond The Surface
One thing that many people forget is that you can easily change the colour of a piece in an afternoon with paint stripper and wood stain. You might get a great deal on a lovely piece that was just painted the wrong color somewhere down the line. By the time you’re done with it, the value could multiply exponentially.
10. Touch The Pieces
You want to know the quality of the piece you’re considering spending a glob of your change on. Ask the marketer what they know about it, look for designer’s recognizes on the undersides of furniture, and select it up. Opportunities are, if it’s lighter than it looks, then it isn’t worth the big bucks. When it comes to furniture, heavier typically does signify higher quality. Don’t waste your money on a knockoff!
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