Flea Markets and Antique Malls

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Flea Markets and Antique Malls : Tips to Follow!

Flea markets can be a fabulous shopping experience and they can save money to boot! Most independent vendors offer items not normally found in the “normal” retail stores. These small independent shops offer a variety of unique and sometimes antique treasures.

These markets are a little different from Antique Malls. With a flea market, a company or person owns the building or lot and independent small business owners rent the booth spaces. There is one near my house that not only rents out the inside booths, but also outdoor spaces in the back parking lot. The back parking lot, affectionately called the “yard sale” by my children, is for the occasional salesman; many times the items found in the back are used and typical of what you might find if you went to garage sales. The vendors pay a small fee – possibly $10 for the day’s rent of the space.

UT canopy, flea market, sales

This particular flea market, though, charges about $25 per day for inside booths if the vendor pays for the entire month. The vendors must have a business license and can only sell new items or unique antique collectible items. Merchandise can include handmade crafts to purchased re-sale items, ranging from small children’s toys to home décor to furniture to overstock grocery items. There is one booth that only offers socks.

Typically, the owner runs the booth and sometimes you can get great deals by asking for a lesser price. Just ask, “what’s the price of xyz item if I buy 3?” Sometimes, the small business owner has employees or friends help in running the booth and they are not allowed to haggle. But go ahead and ask – they might say “yes” to a discount.

Carbon-Footprint-Defined - Cleaning House? These garage-sale-tips promise many useful hints towards a smooth and prosperous event.

Antique malls are a little different. (Again, this is a typical scenario and not necessarily the facts for each and every antique mall.) In an antique mall, the store is broken down into booths, just like a flea market, but the booths are not “manned” by the owner. Instead, the building owner hires employees to run the front cash register. They keep note of what sold, what booth number is attached to each item and the booth renter gets a percentage of the sales price of each item sold.

Always ask the cashier if they give discounts for: teachers? For small business owners? (Make sure to have a copy of your re-sale certificate with you just in case.) For educational purposes? For charitable donations (if you were buying items to donate to a silent auction or something)? For veterans? For PTA members? (Note: make sure you’ve got your membership cards with you when you ask for the discounts.)

Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount, especially if you are buying more than 1 item. What’s the worst thing that can happen? They’ll say no and you’ll pay the price marked. What’s the best thing that can happen? They say yes and you get a bargain!

Like all shopping, though, you must do your research to avoid over paying. But have fun with the treasure hunt. I found some of my favorite coin collection pieces in the “junk boxes”. The fact that I only paid a quarter for each one just made them even better!

flea market, unique items, deals on furniture

Problem: you run the risk of buying things that you don’t really need. And, like mall shopping, you may not realize how much you’ve spent until after the fact. I mean – it’s only a couple dollars at each little shop, right? Well, those couple dollars add up quickly.

Solution: I ONLY take what I think I can afford to spend. Most flea market vendors only accept cash anyway, so that makes it easy. And I do NOT run to the ATM to get more cash. Once I’ve spent my mad money, then I’m done.

Major Plus to shopping at flea markets or other independently owned shops: I am helping “the little guy”. I try to encourage my friends, family and co-workers to purchase any charitable gifts from independently owned shops, such as flea market booths. For example: if they are wanting nice and inexpensive gifts for a toy drive at school or church, I think the flea market is a great place to go. Not only is the toy or gift going to help a child, but, ideally, the money spent is helping a local family.

Walk, Shop and Be Wary. It’s your money. Do your research before you spend.

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