Tips for Shopping at a Flea Market
I’ve done my fair share of flea market and thrift store shopping, but I’ve never sat down and put together a post on how to navigate a flea market. Since Scott and I are heading to Round Top, Texas today (SO EXCITED), and I have heard it is the mother-load of all flea markets, I was inspired to share some of my top tips for enjoying and shopping in a flea market.
First though, why do they call it a flea market anyways? Can we talk about that for a second? Because all the stuff is filled with fleas? Eww. Luckily I don’t think that’s the case any longer—at least not with anything I bring home! 🙂 Anyways, here are seven tips for fantastic flea market shopping!
Dress for success:
If you are going to be serious about your flea market experience, I believe it starts with the outfit you choose to wear. I go to shop seriously, not look cute (although sometimes I can manage both maybe?!), so I leave my heels at home. I am always shocked when I see ladies teetering around on tall shoes, trying not to fall over in the grassy patches. They look adorable, but uncomfortable. I recommend dressing in layers—especially if you will be outside. My outfit of choice is comfy flats (I am LOVING these shoes for flea markets/thrifting lately), jeans, a tank top and a thin sweater. If I get hot, I just tie the sweater around my waist and keep on going. 🙂
Carry cash:
In case you didn’t know, most dealers will only accept cash, and even if they don’t—cash can help you get the best deals. As Dave Ramsey says, Cash is King! Meaning, if I can flash 5 crisp $10 bills and say this is all I can offer on a piece, there’s a much better chance of my offer getting accepted over a credit card. Make sure you have a wide variety of bills—if you are lucky you can find lots of good $1 items!
Prepared—not scared:
Flea markets, especially good ones, can be overwhelming. The first time I went to Canton Trade Days, I didn’t know where to look. I felt like I was just running around from booth to booth, looking for something to spend money on. I didn’t do my research beforehand. Now, when I go to a new market, I make sure to spend an hour or two researching. I talk to people who have been—if I don’t know anyone personally, I use Instagram or Twitter to find people using hashtags. For example, since we are heading to Round Top for the first time today, I asked 3 people who have been what they recommended. I asked which booths they liked, where to park, and what price ranges I should expect. I also searched #roundtop on Instagram to see what people were buying and where the good stuff I wanted was.
I also will make lists of what I am looking for on a particular trip, just so I can stay focused. That doesn’t mean I don’t depart from my list, but it just gives me a starting point. For this trip I’m looking for a variety of items from rugs, vintage fans, an old scale, mirrors, fabrics and vintage wood pieces. We’ll see how good I am at sticking to my list. 😛
Don’t be afraid to bargain:
Here’s a great opportunity to take my own advice. Don’t be scared to bargain! For some reason it makes me super uncomfortable to do so, but the dealers EXPECT you to. It’s part of the experience. The worst they will do is say no. For now I mostly beg Scott or a friend to do the negotiating for me, but I am practicing and working on strengthening this muscle. Besides, the worst they will do is say no. 🙂
Carry with grace: The first time I went to Canton, I couldn’t get over how perfectly able people were renting scooters and using them to drive around the grounds, stacking the built-in baskets full of vintage treasures. While I haven’t resorted to that (yet!), Scott and I finally broke down and bought a rolling cart. They are a little dorky, okay, but whatever, I want to shop and don’t have time to go to the car every hour. Also, if you have a stroller—even if you don’t bring your kids—pack that sucker and use it to hold your stuff for you. If you buy bigger pieces, some dealers will hold them for you until the end of the day, just make sure you can remember where their booth is! 🙂
Be ready to walk away: Here’s the deal. You’ve got X amount of hours and X amount of money, so don’t feel like you have to spend it all at once. There might be an item that’s interesting, but not necessarily unique, or something that is the wrong color but a nice shape, or something that’s broken but looks okay…you have to set your price of what you are willing to pay, and if the dealer isn’t willing to meet it, or if you don’t love it—walk away. Save your money (and basket space!) for something you really love.
Love it, buy it: On the other end though, there are times you will run into items that are one in a million. The kind of thing that you are willing to blow all your money on, or spend more than you initially wanted because it’s worth it. These are the kind of things that if you love (love, love!) you should buy, because you may not see them again. Sadly I have three items in my shopping life that I loved, but didn’t buy—when I decided to go back for them they were all gone, every time. Sad day. That perfect campaign dresser still haunts me. Sigh. BUT, I learned from my mistakes and know when to “splurge”—like when I got this vintage work bench and gave it the greatest furniture makeover of all time. 😛
So those are my top tips for how to enjoy a flea market! I’m sure you guys are also experienced shoppers, so tell me what your best tips are. I might need them! 🙂
Tania Griffis is an accomplished writer, blogger, and interior designer with a Journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma. She started her popular blog, Run to Radiance, in 2011, demonstrating her design expertise through the personal remodeling of six houses to millions of readers across the globe.
Tania also owns The Creative Wheelhouse, a respected ghostwriting agency for bloggers, further showcasing her talent for creating engaging and informative content.
I like to start from end of the market. Usually the goods & their prices are much better.
Very true! Great point….also later in the day can get great deals, especially right before closing. 🙂
ah, i’m one of those people too scared to enter the flea market – so much stuff, and i’m the *worst* at bargaining. mostly someone names a price and i get worried i’ll offend them and so i accept and then i realize it was too high – ah! except and of course – i love all the stuff they have!! time to summon courage and try again?
You know what, even if you don’t negotiate, you can still enjoy it and buy things! Or even just get ideas for some of your own projects. 🙂 It can be overwhelming though…lots of stuff! :O
sounds fun…. but how on earth do i even find a flea market?
Good question! Of course there’s google, but the best way I find out about markets and sales is by asking people—either friends who are like-minded or people who own vintage shops! They usually know what’s up! 🙂
Ahhh!!! I want to go to a flea market!! I have to find one near me.
I’m also terrible at bargaining, lol.
You would love it! 🙂 Come to Texas! 🙂
It looks like Texas had some amazing flea markets! We don’t have many here in Toronto but I will file these tips (pin them) for when we get a chance to visit some cool ones down in the US
Yes Char! There are so many good ones here, let me know if you make it to Texas…I have lots of suggestions! 🙂
Heals? HEELS. I thought you were a writer!
Hah isn’t it funny how that one letter out of everything I wrote disqualifies me from being a writer? 😉
Yes to all of these! I can’t wait to see what you score at Round Top!
Have you been Rachel? You should go in the spring…I’ll be there! 🙂
Ok, A. I’m so jealous you went to Round Top! I wanna go sooo bad! B. You are too cute! and C. These tips are rockin’. Seriously – great list! I live near Atlanta, GA, and we have tons of markets and thrift “towns”…like full roads lined with awesome shops. It can get overwhelming, so it’s nice to know there’s a strategy of sorts. I love previously loved things in my home – they give it character! My fave find so far? My vintage Royal typewriter – it’s a heavy sucker but it’s a beaut!
Oh gosh I have heard Georgia and the Carolinas have some amazing markets! I would love to come to one sometime! And the typewriter sounds beautiful- they are so hard to find.
Great tips! I am always nervous to bargain with the seller, so I loved reading your advice on how to do it 🙂
I did it! I negotiated with several people and it wasn’t too bad! 🙂 It got easier as the day went on! You can do it!! 🙂
I love thrifting! Great tips.
Thank you!
Flea markets used to intimidate me (so much choice! so many people!) but now I actually really enjoy them. I still suck at bargaining and I’m the worst impulse shopper in the world but hey it’s all part of the fun, right?
I know, it can be overwhelming…but being an impulse shopper isn’t always bad—you can get some great items that way! Snatch them up before anyone else can!! 😀
Oh Tania! I am great at bargain shopping – maybe I would do good at a flea market 😉 I actually never carry cash so this is a really good tip!!! Sounds/Looks like you are an expert!
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I love flea markets too. Although I am terrible at negotiating, I normally just pay what they ask or walk away if it is too dear. Maybe I should give it a go.
Great tips. I never considered refencing Pinterest. I will do that. I too have not purchased something I loved only to return and it was gone. Have fun shopping and please post your finds
There is a flea market near my in-laws house that I have seen and thought about going to for a few years. I’m still working up the courage to go, since I don’t have any experience with flea markets. I just need to go, I think. Thanks for the great tips for when I do.
Great tips, and ones I will come back to! Thank you for sharing. 🙂 Visiting from the Weekend Retreat!