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Thrifting Tips

The Top 10 Flea Market Tips You Need to Know Before Junkin’

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

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

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 data-pin-description=

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

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.

Tips for Planning an Antiquing Road Trip

Plan the Ultimate Antiquing Road Trip

Infographic by Say Insurance

More Junkin’ Tips

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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Flea Market Tips, Top 10 tips to get the best deals at vintage flea markets


11 Comments

« Green Jewelry Cabinet Makeover with Black Glaze
How to Clean Used Furniture with Products You Already Have »

Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    May 24, 2018 at 3:14 am

    Great tips, I love flea market shopping!

    You’re most welcome to drop by for a cup of inspiration anytime!
    Jennifer

    Reply
  2. angie says

    May 24, 2018 at 8:44 am

    Great tips I love to buy and sell at flea markets in fact the first weekend in June will be doing a bit of both. Hope you enjoy the junkin season and again thanks for sharing such great tips
    come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com

    Reply
  3. Marie | DIY Adulation says

    May 25, 2018 at 6:50 am

    These are great tips for flea market shopping! I love seeing all of the awesome and unique items at flea markets. If you are ever blocked creatively, they are the perfect place to be re-inspired. Thanks for sharing your tips with us at Merry Monday this week!

    Reply
  4. Heather says

    May 26, 2018 at 6:44 am

    Flea markets can be so much fun. Your experience really showed through on this post.

    Reply
  5. Jann Olson says

    May 30, 2018 at 6:58 pm

    Great tips! Love going to flea markets!! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply
  6. Karee says

    May 31, 2018 at 7:23 am

    I’m a seasoned flea market shopper and I thought these were all great tips! Thanks for the reminders!
    Karee

    Reply
  7. Kathy A says

    May 15, 2019 at 7:01 pm

    I like to bring bills in small denominations. Handing the seller the correct change saves time. It is also less embarrassing if you haggled the price down and then hand them a large bill! A cell phone to touch base with a fellow shopper is good! As a confirmed murder mystery reader, I rip out (or Xerox) the page with the list of author’s books and check mark the ones I’ve already read! A baggie of facecloths with liquid soap kept in the cooler beats a wet wipe any day. A large brimmed hat and sunscreen are necessities for me, too!

    Reply
  8. Frances ortiz says

    June 15, 2020 at 2:19 pm

    Bring a tape measure

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      June 18, 2020 at 11:16 am

      YES! Great tip!

      Reply
  9. Cheri Mello says

    July 14, 2021 at 9:38 pm

    Great TIps❗️Thanks For Sharing 😊G-d♥️Bless

    Reply

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