Today we’re setting up our booth at Antique Alley! If you’re in North Texas from Waco to the D/FW area come see us! And to help you out I’ve listed 10 tips on how to shop Antique Alley, or any other flea market you go to.
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If you missed these, here are some of my past blog posts with more photos from Antique Alley:
1. Shop early. Even though the sale officially starts on Friday many vendors are setting up earlier in the week and will sell to you. Last time our neighbor sold $200 just to one early customer on Wednesday. But note that food vendors and porta-potties are usually NOT available until Friday so be prepared. If you come by while we’re setting up on Wednesday or Thursday we’d sell to you!
2. Plan ahead. AA is over 30 miles long now and it would take more than the three days available to see it all. There are currently two large venues between Cleburne and Grandview with smaller ones popping up. Downtown areas of Cleburne, Grandview, Maypearl, and Alvarado have booths set up with lots of garage sales everywhere in between and signs pointing you off the main roads. Map out your day noting where food vendors and bathrooms are located.
3. Be prepared. Be prepared to use a porta-potty. Bring your own hand sanitizer. Lots of water. Your own bags. Tape measure. Snacks. Patience.
4. Vendors are there rain or shine! Don’t call off your trip because of rain. You’ll most likely get better deals because there will be less traffic.
5. Watch the traffic! Expect delays and clueless people wandering unexpected into the streets right in front of you. Faith Meadow and Whip Farm provide parking lots but in other places you’ll be parking on the side of the road. Make sure you pull completely off the asphalt to park.
6. Shop late. Especially Sunday afternoon after 3. Vendors will be ready to pack up and be willing to make a deal so they won’t have to pack everything they have left. A lot of them even have stacks of free items.
7. Keep an open mind. Even though it’s called “Antique Alley” you can find just about anything there. Antiques, vintage, new, junk, trash, dollar store stuff, plants, food, animals, clothes, jewelry, paint, Tupperware, Scentsy, other MLM products, and just about anything else you can think of.
8. Dress comfortably. Most sales are in pastures so expect dirt, mud, and an occasional cow patty. Dress in layers. Umbrella. Boots. Hat. Sunglasses.
9. Buy it! If you see something unique that you love but it ’cause most likely it won’t be there when you go back. Just don’t get carried away. Have an idea of how much you want to spend on each item and stick to your budget.
10. Bring cash. Many of the vendors at Faith Meadows are set up to take credit cards but you’ll need cash for all the garage sales along the way. Plus, even vendors who do take credit might be willing to deal if you have cash so they won’t have to pay fees.
Bonus: Here are a few fun books to read about flea markets!
- I Brake for Flea Markets
- Flea Market Secrets
- Flea Market Fabulous
- American Pickers Guide to Picking
- Rachel Ashwell Couture Prairie: And Flea Market Treasures
‘Til the next market,
Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim
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Cindy Spencer says
January 17, 2016 at 4:49 pmWhat are the 2016 dates for Antique Alley???
ducttapeanddenim says
January 18, 2016 at 8:34 amCindy, Antique Alley will be April 15-17 and September 16-18, 2016. Will you be there?