posted on October 28, 2001 07:47:02 AM new
I'm about to rent a flea market booth in my local town for 60.00 a month. I would like any tips or information that flea market sellers would like to offer. Ebay is just not cutting it right now, so I feel I need to expand my horizons. I'm looking for ways to make this as successful as possible. Thanks in advance.
posted on October 28, 2001 07:50:13 AM new
One thing to ask, how long are you locked into that sixty a month? How easy is it to get out if it doesn't work out for you.
posted on October 28, 2001 07:58:49 AM new
Just a few thoughts.
Flea markets are usually open one or two days a week, your merch sits there unseen for the rest of the week.
Flea markets are a bit low on the chain of buyers. It is rare to actually get a decent price for your item, therefore, your items may sit there week after week if you don't want to wholesale them. Of course, I am speaking for collectibles and antiques. New Merch or new collectible toys and such may be a different story.
I have found the best luck besides online and my own B&M, is to be in a little coop in a trendy "vacationy" spot about an hour from where I live. Granted it is a small spot, but the advantages are super! Low rent and I do not have to work the coop.
Sorry to be down on Flea Markets, but they just are not what they used to be about 10- 15 years ago here in the Pittsburgh area.
posted on October 28, 2001 07:59:45 AM new
spend some time at the market and analyze trafic flow and try and get a booth as close as possible to what you consider prime area.
you dont want to move around to much and if you do move stay in the same area of the market so your customers can find you easily.
We were right off the food court to start and then moved to a booth on the edge of the food court great place as peaple are sitting looking at your stuff as they eat also easy to describe how to find it..good luck flea markets can be a lot of fun
spock here...... TILL NOV 1 ANYWAY
Live long and Prosper
posted on October 28, 2001 08:25:45 AM new
Here are some things that have helped me....
This is my #1 tip: At least every 2 weeks go to your booth & bring in some new stuff, making sure to completely move everything around, even if you are just moving the merchandise from one side of your booth to the other. It keeps it looking different & fresh, & it makes frequent shoppers to that flea think you always have new merchandise to look at even if you don't have new things to bring in.
I bought a pair of scissors that cut fancy edges for 1.00 (pinking shears will work also). Instead of using those tiny hang tags to price my stuff, I cut tags out of paper using those scissors, & use a fat colored marker to write the price tags. They are larger, easier to see, & increased my sales. I attach either with clear tape or use a hole punch & attach with that ribbon used to put on helium balloons. (it is cheap)People dislike having to bend over & grab those little hang tags to see how much they are marked.
I also usually keep a "bargain" table, if an item doesn't sell after a while I mark it down & put it on the table. Put it in the back of your booth with a big sign, so the customer has to walk by all of your regular priced items to get to the table.
posted on October 28, 2001 08:45:58 AM new
Thanks to everyone! I really like the idea about the tags. Also, so many times I have been to flea markets where everything is piled into boxes, stuffed into corners and just stacked on top of each other and it looks like a tornado when through it. I want to avoid that as much as possible. My most immediate concern is shelves, etc.. to display merchandise. I have a couple of pie safes, a dining room set, a few bakers racks, and things like that. The look I'm going for is that of an old decorated house if that makes any sense. I have quite a collection of old glassware, kitchen collectibles, vintage linens and such. I like things NEAT--hopefully I can pull it off.
posted on October 28, 2001 09:01:28 AM new
mrch--your ideas sound great!! That flea is very lucky to have you as a vendor. Good Selling!!
Also, old fruit crates stacked make great shelving on tables. Also adds to the atmosphere you are creating.
edited to add, if the flea provides electric--try for some of those clamp goose necked lamps--they can make your spot shine and you can accent items.
And--for linens, my best display was an old wood laundry dry rack. You can display each folded over and the customer can easily see each item.
[ edited by jeanyu on Oct 28, 2001 09:08 AM ]
posted on October 28, 2001 09:43:08 AM new
Well, here is a pic of my Swap Meet set up
Always factor in set up and tear down time. Mine is over 3 hours, so if I want to get out before 6pm I have to start packing about 2.
I use a 3 pocket fanny pack for my cash, coins in front, $1, $5, $10 in center, $20 and up in back.
I bring at least $50 in change to all but one market, to that one I bring $100 in change; generally go through it all too.
You'll notice I have two 8 X 12 EZups, definitely consider getting yourself some shade and protection from rain. These are very vulnerable to winds, get some weights. I use old purses filled with rocks. It's eye catching.
You have less than 10 seconds to attract a walkers attention. Put something eye-catching out front.
Beware little old ladies who have nothing to do but haggle with you, these were the bane of my existance back when I sold household goods instead of toys. If you offered them a diamond ring for a quarter, they would offer you a dime.
If you take checks, after you have the check in your hand ask the customer what the phone number on it is. They should be able to rattle it off without looking.
Selling a Flea Markets is a lot of work, but it is fun. Good Luck
--------------
Don't take life so serious, it ain't nohow permanent.
posted on October 28, 2001 09:50:28 AM new
Wow-great set-up. This flea market is indoor though, so I don't have to worry about weather conditions or tear down, thank goodness. And if I don't want to sit in my booth and take the money myself I can still rent the booth for 60.00 month and pay a 10% commission. I'm on my way now to check out the available booths and pick the perfect location. Hopefully I can get a booth near the snack area--that was a great idea and one I would not have thought of. I also have one of those laundry racks--great idea. Thank you so much everyone...every time I post a question I am amazed at the helpfulness of others
posted on October 28, 2001 01:29:31 PM new
Since I'm running out of time to give tips and experience (the 1rst approaches) I'll be brief (hah).
I've been selling at markets for about 20 years. Ther off a little like all the selling resources are but I have been selling much more at them and getting much better prices than on ebay. If it wasn't for the flea markets I don't think ebay would be enough to keep me afloat.
Here are two good methods employed to increase space and both have a great look.
!. If you're selling primitives and iron, brass wood etc. get some old shutters, the kind with rows of slats (large old heavy ones not the chinsy indoor kind). Attach them in pairs with hinges. Pop out one of the slats on each shutter in two spots, one near the top and one near the bottom (make sure you remove the slats from the same place on each one). Place an attached pair at each corner of your table, standing on end in either an "L" or "V" shape and slide a board through the slots that you put in them. If you need to add a support in the middle of your shelves or if you need to extend the length, add an extra pair of shutters in a "V". Paint them as you like or leave em' "rustic". They're easy to put up, take down, go round corners, etc. And they stack nice too if you take your show on the road.
The second method is used by a freind who sells colorful 50's kitchen stuff. She uses small brightly colored plastic waste buckets to elevate two tieirs of shelving. she picks colors that go with her wares and organizes her product in groups of similar and complimentary colors. It's spectacular! and draws the ladies like flies. She has many gratuitous features as well, such as a water cooler and cups for thirsty customers and a dog watering bowl as well, for outdoors of course (some of the concessions take exception to her offering free water to folks). Shestacks her nesting bowls inside one another, but each is elevated with plastic margerine tubs or tupperware. Lots of fun tricks. Again the set up comes down and goes up in a breeze if you travel.
I could go on at length, but it seems AW doesn't want me giving out tips here unless I buy their services.
Oh, I agree, keep new merch coming in or your booth will be ignored in no time. If it sits on my table for more than three weeks, it goes to the auction, I get my money back and try something else. Give fair prices, don't ever hide any faults or flaws thast you know about and give whatever break you can afford for a volume purchace and you'll have people coming back every week to see what you have, but don't fall into the trap of selling thing too cheap to the other dealers and store owners so THEY can make the good bucks. Sometimes it's balancing act. Good Luck!
posted on October 28, 2001 02:04:47 PM new
Sorry to interrupt. Just wanted to thank you for all the fantastic information. I've been wanting to start a flea market booth, but didn't have a clue. I appreciate all of the wonderful, helpful, generous people here!
Makes me so bummed out this won't be going on much longer.
posted on October 28, 2001 02:54:12 PM new
Forgot to add, the type of shutters that are used have permanently fixed slats, that is to say that you can't open the slats like a set of blinds. Also these are usually very tall and have a cross brace in the center. You should cut them in half at the center of this brace and thus each shutter will yield two pieces (a pair) that are tall enough for two tiers of shelves, otherwise they are much too tall as is.
