Blonde Brunette and Brass: Flea Market Season Is Here!

Get there early. I know, I know … so boring. Everybody says, “Go early! Go early!,” but the truth is you can find average, good pieces all day long, and sometimes you can absolutely find great pieces at 2pm. But those great pieces aren’t normally the no-brainers, those are the risk-takers, the ones that you need to have a huge imagination for and a lot of guts.

But if you don’t want to have to turn on that part of your brain, then know that all the obviously amazing stuff will get eaten up by designers, store-owners, and collectors by 10am. Go early if you want incredible pieces. Go later if you want just good stuff. I shoot for 7am!

Don’t hoard unneccessarily. I have this rule for myself. If I wouldn’t spend $100, then don’t spend $30. But I have a Ton of stuff. Accessories are not what I’m lacking. If you feel like you don’t have enough “smalls” in your house then yes, buy cute, great, personality-filled accessories, but if you are worried about bringing more into your house that you don’t need, then ask yourself that question: “If this were $100 would I still buy it?” Then listen to your answer.

Stay away from the new stuff. I know that flea markets are expanding and they are starting to include many a cell-phone cover and imported tablecloth, but in general avoid these. I’m pro-small business, obviously, but the flea market is not the place to be marketed to for your jewelry. What is acceptable are things that are made from vintage things — like pillows from vintage fabric, furniture from reclaimed stuff (although, come on, let’s get some innovative design out there, if i have to see one more “reclaimed wood and iron industrial bench” I’m going to get all Russell Crowe on it). For sake of time, just stick to the old stuff. The new stuff will just distract you while Mr. and Mrs. Fast-Paced-Johnson are buying all the amazing regency pieces.

Look high and look low. People often wonder how I find things that they don’t and one of the biggest reasons is that I have CRAZY EYES that have the patience of hungry 2 year old, also because I look really high and really low. Don’t forget what people are hanging on the walls or above their tents and don’t forget what is under the tables. You have to dig to be properly rewarded, so make sure you cover all the highs and lows of most booths.

Bring cash, but know they take checks. EVERYONE enjoys cash most and they will give you a better deal with cash. But if you need to most will take checks. If you promise someone cash but you don’t have enough, simply offer them a deposit then go to the ATM and bring the rest later. Give them your phone number and take theirs just in case. But if you are on the fence about whether you should bring your checkbook or not, the answer is YES, many take checks.

Haggle respectively. It’s EXTREMELY simple. Ask them what they are charging, counter with WHAT IS FAIR and then if you love it, tell them that you love it. I know people that have huge manipulative strategies, but I don’t. These vendors have spent hours, days, and tears finding the perfect pieces. Please don’t try to insult them by low-balling them unless you truly believe that they are overcharging. If you can’t even come close to affording it, then tell them that. Say how much you love it and how you’d use it but that it’s not in your budget. Then they might budge. As much as they are in it for the money, they are also emotionally involved with these pieces and they really want them to go to a good home. So if you make a case for how much you love it and how well you’d take care of it, then you can get the best discount. This isn’t meant to be manipulative. It’s common sense.

In short: Be nice, be grateful, be respectful. We are not in the mid-evil ages where people are trying to “getcha” all the time. These are real people, collecting things they love and trying to make a living. Be respectful and you’ll get the best deal. It’s that simple.

Also!!… the more you buy, the better deal you get. I’m sure that’s obvious but just in case it wasn’t, know that if you combine items at the same vendor you’ll get a better deal.