B.A.F.F.L.E.D. Tops
Top 4 Tips for Flea Market Shopping--
All shopping isn't created equal, and sometimes you need to shop outside the box. Flea Markets offer a different twist to shopping, and the cool part is, you never know what you'll find. If you're not an advance flea marketer, check out these tips:
1. Take these items with you:
--Cash. Some vendors may have credit/debit card readers, or even now be using Square, but you never know. You can't go wrong with cash. It can also be a good boundary for how much you spend.
--Have a "notes" feature on your phone, or take a pen and paper. You never know what you'll need to make note of to find later.
--Tape measure. If you're looking for furniture or other non-wearable items, you might need this to be sure it'll fit as you want it to when you get home.
--A magnet. This is how you test the reals and fakes. If an item sticks to the magnet, it is not a precious metal. This is ok, but you should be fully aware of what you're purchasing.
2. Know the best time to go.
Typically you can find the best items early in the day. If you're not a morning person, try to get there soon after your day starts. There may be good things there late in the day, but you get the best pickings early.
3. Negotiate.
The beauty of the flea market if being able to get what you want for price you want. You won't always get your desired price, but you never know unless you ask. It's worth it.
4. Have a plan.
Know what you're looking for, and walk around to find it. It's fine to go there with a open mind for purchasing, but plan your shopping so you don't get to the end and find a slew of things you want to buy. If it's manageable, walk as much of if as you can first--then go back and make the purchases.
Hopefully these tips are helpful to you. Happy shopping!
All shopping isn't created equal, and sometimes you need to shop outside the box. Flea Markets offer a different twist to shopping, and the cool part is, you never know what you'll find. If you're not an advance flea marketer, check out these tips:
1. Take these items with you:
--Cash. Some vendors may have credit/debit card readers, or even now be using Square, but you never know. You can't go wrong with cash. It can also be a good boundary for how much you spend.
--Have a "notes" feature on your phone, or take a pen and paper. You never know what you'll need to make note of to find later.
--Tape measure. If you're looking for furniture or other non-wearable items, you might need this to be sure it'll fit as you want it to when you get home.
--A magnet. This is how you test the reals and fakes. If an item sticks to the magnet, it is not a precious metal. This is ok, but you should be fully aware of what you're purchasing.
2. Know the best time to go.
Typically you can find the best items early in the day. If you're not a morning person, try to get there soon after your day starts. There may be good things there late in the day, but you get the best pickings early.
3. Negotiate.
The beauty of the flea market if being able to get what you want for price you want. You won't always get your desired price, but you never know unless you ask. It's worth it.
4. Have a plan.
Know what you're looking for, and walk around to find it. It's fine to go there with a open mind for purchasing, but plan your shopping so you don't get to the end and find a slew of things you want to buy. If it's manageable, walk as much of if as you can first--then go back and make the purchases.
Hopefully these tips are helpful to you. Happy shopping!