Flea Marketing's Best Insider Secrets Foraging through flea markets, estate and tag sales, even the common garden-variety yard sale is more enjoyable than ever. Why? Because now it is truly an anything-goes world when it comes to decorating. If you like it, if you think it is beautiful, then there is no reason not to put it in the trunk of your car and bring it home with you. Flea market decorating comes straight from the heart and is therefore almost impossible to get wrong. Trust your eye. Pack the “shoulds” and “shouldn’ts” away and let your personal likes and dislikes guide you. To help gather ideas, collect photographs of favorite rooms, visit interesting shops or showrooms, and draw on your memories. For those who regularly frequent flea markets, the thrill is in the hunt for terrific one-of-a-kind items. Old architectural finds, vintage garden furniture, battered watering cans and sap buckets, weathered birdhouses, old furniture and lamps—an endless array of items await your personal touch. Whether your style is traditional or modern country, cottage, eclectic or retro, shopping at flea markets is sure to provide you with unique treasures that will give your home anything but a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all look. What The Pros Know Know what you’re looking for. Flea markets vary drastically in size, from church sales to the huge events that attract hundreds of dealers and thousands of collectibles. Wise shoppers make a list of the particular things they are searching for. This helps them focus and keep their eyes on the prize. Get there early. The old adage, “The early bird catches the worm,” is particularly appropriate for flea market treasure hunting. The best buys slip away very early in the day (the most passionate shoppers show up with flashlights in the early morning light to capture things as dealers are unwrapping their goods). Stay late for the best deals. Most dealers hate packing up their unsold goods at the end of the day (especially bulky items like furniture). Although price negotiating is an integral part of flea market bargaining, those in the know say the best deals are gotten at the end of the day. If you are brave enough to hold out until just before closing time (and possibly risk seeing your coveted piece be sold to somebody else), you will be generously rewarded with a rock-bottom price. Bring a list of measurements and a tape measure with you. Especially if you are in the market for furniture, play it safe by measuring to avoid the pitfall of being stuck with a too-big piece that just won’t make it up the stairs or through your bedroom doorway. A little forethought can reduce the risk of major miscalculations and ultimate disappointment down the line. Cash and carry. Most dealers will negotiate a better price if you pay cash. For larger items like furniture, many dealers accept checks or credit cards, but don’t count on it. Ask questions. Flea market dealers love to share their knowledge of their goods with you. They have a wealth of information free at their fingertips — so don’t be timid about asking about the manufacturer, age, provenance or condition of an item. Even if you are not ready to buy, it is always useful to add to your personal knowledge for the next time around. • FOCUS YOUR FINDS A collection of vintage hand-painted pottery fills a humble country cabinet with loads of color and charm. Rather than line up the crocks, which is dull, arrange them on top of old baskets. RECYCLED OUTDOOR CHIC Most everything on this patio came from flea markets. Whitewashed woods and wicker create a tranquil ambience. Old boxes are turned into plant holders and a nifty potting bench. An added attraction of rustic pieces: their tolerance of even the most intolerant weather! A QUICK COAT OF PAINT A weathered picnic table cut down to seating size makes a cozy place to lounge outdoors. A quick coat of whitewash, and a gentle sanding of rough edges and corners are all that is needed. STRENGTH IN NUMBERS The serene blues, greens and pinks that are Shabby Chic’s central colors were inspired by 1930s pottery made by McCoy and other manufacturers. By grouping like collectibles together, the visual impact is magnified many times over; be sure to resist the urge to “dot” a room with collectibles. Bargaining: The Art Of The Deal Every flea marketer knows that part of the fun of shopping these events is trying to get what you want at the very best price you can. But before you haggle, do remember that these vendors are there to sell their wares at their discretion. Something else to remember: you can catch more bees with honey. • Ask. Do not tell the vendor that you could find an item for less or you risk the chance of having him/her call your bluff. A friendly, “Would you consider anything less?” is more likely to work to your advantage. • Buy in Bulk. Oftentimes, a vendor will give you a break if you buy more than one piece. • Know Your Stuff. Just because something is being sold at a flea market, that doesn’t automatically insure that it will be sold at a reduced rate. In fact, the opposite is sometimes the case, so it pays to do a little research about the item before you head out if you are looking for something specific. • Be Wise. Don’t offer so small an amount as to be insulting, or to insinuate that you know nothing about the piece you are buying or the vendor’s ability to correctly price it. Similarly, do not pull out a $100 bill when you are finagling for a $3 item. • Play it Cool. This can be a double-edged sword. Sometimes, the more excited you act about an item, the less likely you are to get a discount, since the vendor assumes you will buy it regardless of price. However, some vendors appreciate the enthusiasm and will be willing to cut you a break on a piece you adore. Assess each individual situation and act accordingly. On the flip side, be wary of pointing out a flaw on a piece in the hopes of getting a price break. Vendors know their wares and have spent time pricing—they do not need you to tell them what a piece should cost. • Check out Other Options. Maybe, just maybe, a vendor has something not on display that would be more in your price range. Ask him or her, and then go with whatever price is offered. • advertise • subscribe • about us • contact us No part of this site may be reproduced without permission Copyright (c) 2003 Harris Publications