posted on April 22, 2001 04:10:28 PM new
For us and most dealers at our flea market agree business is down at least 35% from last year.Finding stuff to list on E-Bay is almost impossible as most people have it marked for more than its worth,and half of it has chips, cracks or other defects. I guess I should be glad I list on E-Bay as well as doing the flea market.May have to split markets with the hubby this year and run a few yard sales.
posted on April 22, 2001 05:18:20 PM new
I do the Flea Markets also and I found the same thing. I am in Florida so our busy season has just ended and I am down about 30% from last year and it looks like the summer will get worse.
posted on April 23, 2001 09:27:06 AM new
My sales are also down at the flea markets. But, I'm not worried. I sell everyday needs, and I know the worse the economy gets people will once again start coming to flea market.
Ebay is a different story though. Those good days for collectables are over, and that's OK too. I got along fine before eBay, and just look at like it was great while it lasted.
posted on April 23, 2001 09:38:46 AM new
Oh my gosh I am glad I quit ebay. I went down to the flea market yesterday and paid only $8.00 to display 1000 movies. I saved $300.00 in insertion fees alone. I actually forgot how nice it was to talk to my customers, and get some fresh air, and not worry about fees, deadbeats, paying for images, rubber checks, post office, and on and on. I agree eBay "used" to be good, but I guess the other sellers there will pick up my share of deadbeats. Looking back eBay seems like a ripoff for me. It takes alot of sales to make up 300 dollars in listing fees, and that doesnt include the fees for adding pictures, and relists.
posted on April 23, 2001 02:21:47 PM new
A change of pace never hurts but I would really have to be at the end of my options to return to the flea market.
I miss some of the sellers and a few of my regular customers, but for the most part, I consider dealing with the public a nightmare.
I was paying $25/day for about $500 in sales. Roughly equivilent to eBay's fees. Selling prices on eBay are not what they were a few years ago, but still better than my mark-ups at the flea market.
Maybe you have a nicer crowd, with more money to spend, and hopefully less shoplifting. I can see where videos would do better at the flea markets (no postage).
posted on April 23, 2001 03:31:04 PM new
We just spent the weekend at a flea market by Bay St. Louis, MS.
Sales were not very good, and to top it off I took a counterfeit $100 yesterday afternoon. About shot my profits. She passed 5 or 6 before getting away clean. (Nice looking young woman pushing a baby in a stroller).
Just thought I'd remind everyone to use the marking pen. Of course, I have one, but didn't even bring it with me. DUH
