5 Tips for Flea Market Shopping

5 Tips for Flea Market Shopping
5 Tips for Flea Market Shopping

It’s hard to pass up a great deal. With spring in full bloom and summer on the way, flea markets are popping up with sellers hoping to bring in new customers. Flea markets can be a fun adventure, especially if you come away with something unexpected for a reasonable price. If you plan to attend some flea markets this year, these tips can help you make the most of your time and your money.

1. Arrive Early

First come, first serve. Flea markets usually start early in the day — sometimes as early as 6 a.m., but you can bet there will be people shuffling out of bed that early for the best deals and merchandise. If you want to see the most that your flea market has to offer, you may want to stick on an extra sweater and shake off the haze before dawn.

2. Bring Cash

Some sellers will take checks, but they usually don’t take debit or credit cards and they almost always like cash best. Sellers are also more likely to take a different offer if you have cash.

3. Know How to Bargain

If you ask a vendor how much something costs, it’s perfectly acceptable to make another offer if you think it’s too expensive. In fact, most vendors expect it and often have no problem making deals. Knowing how to haggle can make you a more effective shopper.

4. Have a List

Making a list before hitting the flea market isn’t a need, but if you have an idea of what you’re looking for, you can save time by writing it down. If you go in blind, you may find yourself getting sidetracked, although sometimes that’s part of the fun!

5. Splurge on Something You Love

The best way to find out whether or not you love something enough to buy it is to ask yourself how much more than its current price you would pay for it. If something costs $20 and you would still buy it at $50, it’s probably worth it to splurge. There’s nothing wrong with spending extra cash every once in a while on an item you can’t live without.

It’s up to you how you want to spend your first morning at the flea market, but these tips can help you make your experience all the more worthwhile. Your time can be well-spent hunting for offers you can’t turn away. One of the best feelings is finding exactly what you need for less than you would at your local store.