Four Steps To Flea Market Bargains

If you love to shop for collectibles but are low on dough, why not try a flea market for fantastic bargains? If you are new to the flea market experience, this is information that will show you how to save a load of money and have a good time doing it!

Step One: Find Yourself a Flea

Flea markets can be found in nearly every American city. You might want to look into your local phone book first. Most permanent year-round flea markets have listings. Seasonal operations often advertise in newspapers and shopper guides.

Ask a neighbor, fellow bargain-hunter or a friend. And, of course, if you have Internet access, consult your favorite search engine.

Step Two: Always Be Prepared

If you are wanting to find a really special bargain, make sure you do your homework in advance. If you happened to be on the lookout for a specific antique, research the item before you buy.

Be sure that you know what today’s market value for that item is. Be familiar with factors like condition, rarity, model, etc. In other words, how much less is the Takamine electric guitar worth than the Fender acoustic electric guitar? Would the black electric guitar model be more rare than the blue 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 are looking for, all that is left is to get the price you want. The real beauty of flea markets is that most sellers are quite flexible and nearly all prices are negotiable.

Haggling is customary at flea markets and you should not be embarrassed to ask for a price break. However, do not insult a dealer with a ridiculously low offer. He will likely decide he does not like you and refuse to give you a 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.