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Flea market season is in full swing! Having gone to my first flea market just two years ago, I am now officially addicted to them. I love searching high and low for unique items for my home! Shopping a flea market can be a great experience, but if you’re not prepared, it can lead to frustration and a bad time. So I decided to share my best flea market shopping tips in hopes that it will help some of you novice flea market shoppers! 
Flea Market Shopping Tip No. 1 – Clean Out Your Car
Before you head out for your flea market adventure, be sure to empty your trunk, remove any car seats (unless you’re bringing your small children with you), and put the back seats down if you’re feeling ambitious. This way, when your shopping trip is over, you’ll be able to quickly pack everything into your car and avoid the hassle of moving things around when you’re hot and tired.
Flea Market Shopping Tip No. 2 – Wear Comfortable Shoes
I wore flip flops to my first flea market. BAD! Not only did my feet hurt from walking all over the place, but they got so dusty and dirty – it was disgusting. Definitely wear comfortable (closed toe) shoes – your feet and back will thank you for it!
Flea Market Shopping Tip No. 3 – Bring Cash in Many Bill Sizes
Some flea market vendors are equipped to take credit cards, but many are not. Make sure to have cash on hand so you don’t have to hit up the flea market ATM, where you will likely face high withdrawal fees.
Also, have many types of bills on hand. If you haggle with a seller for a lower price on an item, the last thing you want to do is ask for change. It’s definitely best to have a variety of bills in your pocket so that you can pay the exact amount.
Flea Market Shopping Tip No. 4 – Bring a Large Tote or Collapsible Wagon
Some of your flea market finds may be bulky and less than convenient to carry around. If you’re very prepared, bring a collapsible wagon like this or personal shopping cart like this to cart your purchases around in. Alternatively, a large canvas shopping tote like this is a good way to carry lightweight items with you as you shop. Some flea market vendors may have plastic grocery bags for you to carry your purchased items in, but don’t bank on it.
Flea Market Shopping Tip No. 5 – Bring Water, Food, and Headache Medicine
Check the rules of the flea market you’re going to, but if you’re allowed to bring food and water inside, definitely do it. Flea market shopping is draining and you’ll want to stay hydrated and fed (hey, nobody wants to deal with hunger-induced rage). Also, if you’re prone to headaches like me, make sure to bring some Advil or other headache medicine with you. Nothing kills the fun like a killer headache.
Flea Market Shopping Tip No. 6 – Don’t Hesitate
If you see something you LOVE and must have, don’t hesitate to buy it. If you wait, it may not be there when you get back. I violated this rule recently and paid the price. The super cool decorative container I wanted for my mantel was gone by the time I got back to purchase it.
Flea Market Shopping Tip No. 7 – Hesitate
Yes, I just said the opposite of what I said in tip no. 6! If you see something that you like but don’t absolutely have to have, wait and go back to the booth later in the day to see if it’s still there. If it is, try to haggle with the seller to see if you can get a lower price. At the end of the day, sellers are more willing to discount their items because they’d typically rather sell something than have to re-load it and haul it back home.
Flea Market Shopping Tip No. 8 – Don’t Buy Counterfeits
Flea markets can be full of counterfeit items like purses, sunglasses, etc. These items are cheaply made, divert sales from designers and retailers who invest a lot of money in product development and marketing, and have been linked to helping terrorism efforts. Save your money for authentic goods – please!
Flea Market Shopping Tip No. 9 – Bring Measurements and Paint Colors
If you’re looking for an item for a particular place or room, make sure to bring space measurements and paint colors with you! Chances are you won’t be able to return anything you buy at a flea market, so if you buy the wrong size or color of something, you’re stuck. (Check out this post for a great way to keep paint swatches organized in your purse!)
Flea Market Shopping Tip No. 10 – Remember Where You Parked Your Car
On my most recent flea market shopping tip, I was so excited to get in the fairgrounds and get shopping that I didn’t pay close attention to where I parked my car. Then, when I was leaving with my rusty metal projector cart that I had to carry (it wouldn’t roll over the gravel in the parking lot), I was perplexed to realize that I could not find my car. I carried that projector cart all over, pressing the alarm button on my keychain until I could hear my car and locate it by sound. SO embarrassing and SO painful. My arms still hurt!
So what do you think of these tips? If you’re a pro flea market shopper, what would you add to my list?
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Seana Turner says
I love all of these tips, Bre. I might add “don’t buy what you don’t really have space for” – LOL! I have a few flea-market shopping clients:)
Bre says
YES! Hahaha – totally, Seana! 🙂 Although sometimes that’s easier said than done. 😉 Hope you had a great Fourth of July!
Kristi says
Awwww, loved this Bre! I’ve never been to a flea market before, but I think it sounds like so much fun!
Bre says
Oh, Kristi you would be in Heaven!! Seriously! I never knew what I was missing out on. I’m sure some of them are really bad with terrible stuff, but when you find a good one, it’s a treasure trove! 🙂
Sarah @ L says
These are great tips, Bre! I especially like #9. Nothing is worse than buying something only to discover it doesn’t fit in the space you need it to or it doesn’t match your decor. Grrr.
Bre says
Aaaah totally! That is the WORST!! 🙂
Cecilia says
Oh yes! I am seriously addicted. Great tips. I’d add haggle nicely. Ask if that’s their best price or if they would consider X amount. Most vendors will deal with you if you’re polite. My other suggestion is to bring a hat in the summer and wear sunscreen! It’s easy to overheat. I also find it helpful to have a lust of things I’d like to look for as all that stuff can get overwhelming. That said, sometimes it’s just fun to go see what you can find! 🙂
Having a cart has saved me more than once! Be sure to have some bungee cords to secure items. Happy hunting!
Cecilia says
Eek, list of things. Haha, I should proofread before I hit send. 😀
Bre says
Cecilia – these are AWESOME tips! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. I agree with all of them!
Kim~madeinaday says
Lol about the car! I’ve done that, been so interested in what I’m looking at or been there too long and totally forget where I parked. Stopping by to let you know you are being featured on Friday’s P3 Party post! Have a great week! Thanks for pinning!
Best,
Kim
Bre says
Aaaah, Kim I am SO GLAD I’m not the only one! Hahahaha. I felt like such a loser. I know people were laughing at me Ha! Well anyway, thank you for featuring this post. I truly appreciate it!!
Judy says
We live 25 miles from Brimfield in Massachusetts. It’s one of the biggest flea markets in USA.
We use every one of these tips. Our favorites are taking a wagon (purchased at the flea market on one trip) and the small bills. It’s easy to haggle when you can only produce $3.00 before the buy. It works for us every time.
Bre says
Judy you are SO lucky!! The flea market I like to go to is over an hour away. It’s a commitment! I am glad you approve of these tips; it sounds like you’re a flea market expert! 🙂
Beth says
Keep a running list of things you are looking for. Missing lids or handles for instance. You may not think of little things when you are there.
Bre says
That is a great tip! Thanks for sharing, Beth! Have a good weekend. 🙂
Kathleen says
A backpack. Backpacks can carry items which you don’t want to carry in your wagon or the bottom of your cart, such as your water, lunch, and extra cash . They keep your hands free and your stuff safe and available. Alo, headaches can be caused by dehydration, so drink tons of water and know where the bathrooms are located! 😉 As for remembering where you car is parked, try to park near some sort of land mark, like a tree or lamp post, then take a phone picture to jar your memory when you’re lost. It will save your arms. Ha! ( Been there, done that. 🙂 Great ideas. Thanks for sharing them.
Bre says
Oh my gosh, you had me cracking up remembering my pitiful trek through the gravel parking lot with my projector cart. hahahaha! SUCH a brilliant thought to take a photo of the parking location. DUH! Next time for sure! Also, thanks for the good idea on the backpack! You’re totally right that its best to keep your hands free for all the shopping and negotiating! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
Lynn Taddei says
#9 said take measurements with you – I also take a tape measure. It helps!
#10 said to remember where you park – instead of beeping horn, I pop the trunk lid!
Bre says
Lynn these are GREAT tips! I can’t believe I didn’t include to bring a tape measure. Duh! 🙂 And I will try the trunk trick, too. I guarantee I will get lost again. Hahaha
Charlene says
One more tip… Start you hunt from the furthest point away from the car. This way you can work your way back, while shopping.
Oh…. Get there as early as humanly possible. The early bird catches the worm!! In this case, you get to choose before it’s been picked over!
Bre says
YES! I am going to do that next time (starting at the farthest point). That is GENIUS!!!! And totally right about getting there early. Although if you do go at the end of the day or weekend, sometimes you can get a good discount! 🙂
Susan says
Do NOT carry a purse. Best bet is wearing clothing with many pockets, especially a pullover with a pouch pocket. You can do without a lot of the junk you carry in a purse for a couple of hours. Some additional items besides cash and drivers license and phone would be bandaids and maybe some wet wipes in a zip lock bag.
Bre says
Susan, that is so smart!!! Thanks for that great tip!
Susan says
I might add to measure the inside of your car or truck. Keep your measurements, etc, in your phone for easy reference wherever you go
Bre says
BRILLIANT! I am always questioning whether something will fit in my car or not. And one time (not at a flea market), I drove across town to pick up a side of the road dresser my friend alerted me to, and then couldn’t fit it in the trunk! DUH – I should measure the trunk!!
Susan says
The start at the back tip is helpful for other places. Amusement Parks and Trade Shows are a couple that I always begin at the back. Andcin parking lots, I usually try to park be a lamp post. Good for evening safety as well as a target to walk towards.
Bre says
Susan you’re the best! Thanks for all of these helpful suggestions!
Vanessa says
This was an interesting read! I get overwhelmed at these events so some strategy it helpful. Thanks!