Flea Market Tips to Prepare You for the Junkin’ Season!

Flea market season is here!  Today I’m sharing my top 10 flea market tips.  Make sure you leave a comment and let me know what I’m leaving off!

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10 Top Vintage Flea Market Tips

1. Dress comfortably. Many sales are on grass or dirt that might not be level.  I like to wear my comfortable Converse sneakers or Tevas in warm weather.  And of course, my trusty hiking boots in rainy weather. Dress in layers.  Weather often changes, sometimes several times, during the day. Bring a travel umbrella, rain boots, sun hat, sunglasses.

2.  Plan ahead.  Many flea markets are HUGE.  Ask around to see what people have to say about the market.  Follow their hashtags on Instagram or Twitter to find special deals and ask about the best booths or places to park and eat.  Map out your day so you can visit the most booths.

Inside the barn at Roses and Rust Vintage Market.

3.  Shop early.  Some flea markets offer early bird tickets.  They cost a little more but you’ll have a better chance of getting what you’re looking for.  For example, at Junk Bonanza my first customer came straight to my booth and asked to see something they had seen online.  I had three and they bought them all.  Too bad for the customer who came an hour later!

4.  Shop late.  If you’re not looking for something specific you can get some great deals if you shop right before the sale ends.  Sometimes vendors would rather sell at a discount than pack it up and take it back home.  I’ve even made a stack of free items at the end of Antique Alley!

Locker at Antique Alley vintage flea market.

5.  Make a list.  I’m notorious for getting distracted at flea markets.  There are soooooo many things I want to look at and buy.  If I don’t have a list I’ll completely forget what I was supposed to buy.

6.  Keep an open mind.  Make a list but keep an open mind.  Think of new ways to use old items.

Junk Love at Roses and Rust Vintage Market. Love the antique Coca-Cola signs!

7.  Be prepared.  Create a “flea market kit” filled with hand sanitizer, your own bags, a tape measure, snack, & water.  Invest in a cart or folding wagon if you go often.  This is the one I bought and have been using for two years now.

8.  Buy it!  If you see something unique that you love buy it.  Most likely it won’t be there when you come back.  Just don’t get carried away and blow your budget!

Mes Amis Vintage Show, Roseville California, Spring 2016.

9.  Bring cash.  Most vendors around here are set up to take credit cards.  But even if they do, you might get a better deal with cash.  I’m always willing to negotiate a bit so I won’t have to pay credit card fees!

10.  Don’t be afraid to bargain.  The worst they can do is say no.

If you enjoyed these vintage flea market tips, you might also like these posts:

• 9 Tips for Buying Second Hand Furniture
• Why Shop at Thrift Stores
• 18 Things You Should Always Buy at Vintage Markets
• 9 Flea Markets You Must Visit Before You Die
• How to Shop Flea Markets for Cheap Home Decor

Thanks for reading!  I’d love to hear your best flea market tips, too.  Leave them in the comments or come join our Thrift Store Makeover Facebook Group!  Featured on Home and Garden Thursday.

‘Til the next project,

 Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim

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