Business Invesment

Amidst the jumble of flea market goods, there are treasures

Are you someone who likes getting up early to hit the local garage sales? Lots of people treat garage sale trips as a hobby. It's true, you can pick up everything from toys and appliances to great clothes and furniture. However oddly, many people who go to garage sales regularly turn up their nose at the prospect of visiting flea markets. Maybe it's just the name that turns people off. If you've never gone to the weekend flea markets in your area, set aside a day and see if you don't get hooked on this gigantic garage sale at the local fairgrounds.

Flea markets are not confined to the United States. Many large European cities have famous flea markets that are thronged with people on Saturdays and Sundays year around.

There's something nostalgic and at the same time adventurous about getting up at the crack of dawn to be first in line when these markets open. Most of the vendors are regulars, who come each week with their new finds to offer for sale. Unlike a garage sale, which is limited by the scope of what that household no longer needs, the flea market vendor goes to estate sales, auctions, antique shops and yes, garage sales to skim the very best items for their weekend customers.

Some of these vendors specialize in certain types of products. For example, one vendor may be an expert on vintage clothing. Another may always have quilts, textile crafts and hats. Then there's the booth that consistently has a wide selection of jewelry, while the neighboring booth finds Native American artifacts, jewelry and sand paintings. The wealth and diversity of goods to be found at a flea market is astounding. If you go just to browse, be prepared to find more treasures you'd like to purchase than your budget allows.

Part of the game is getting the vendor to tell you first what he's willing to take. This gives you the first chance to reduce your offer from his asking price. Chances are, he's willing to take less. If you feel the offer is a good value for you and you don't want to risk it being sold to someone else, take it on the spot. If you'd like to have it, but feel the price is too high, you might frown slightly, or remark that's a bit more than you'd like to pay. Haggling proceeds from there.

One of the best traditions of the flea markets is haggling! Everyone is expected to haggle. Many booths won't have price tags on items. The vendor wants you to make an offer, which gives him a starting point on what you're willing to pay. The vendor will revise his counteroffer to a higher price.