What is a Flea Market? You will learn how "Flea Marketing" can be an excellent way to add to your
income . . . the opportunities to make money are limitless.
What is a Flea Marketing anyway? Flea markets are here to stay. They have become a way of life for millions of
bargain-seeking folks from all walks of life. Today, many empty buildings, drive-in theaters, church halls and
parking lots have been transformed into Flea Markets all over the country. Flea Marketing is also an
excellent way to add to your income every weekend. The opportunities to make money are limitless and all that is
required is just the ability to observe others.
Visit as many Flea Markets as you can and notice the different kinds of merchandise being sold. Notice that
prices are lower than competitive items sold in stores. This is one of the secrets to the success of Flea Markets.
The right kind of merchandise is also very important to the success of a dealer.
The best way for you to start out is by selling all of the items around your house that you no longer want. They
may be used or unused. They may be old or new, it doesn't matter. There is a buyer for almost everything. Pricing
competitively is very important. You will soon find out if your prices are too high or too low. An item priced too
high may not sell the first day. If you are not sure of the value of an item, then ask for a bid. Most will bid
twenty to thirty percent less than the true value of the item. If you are not satisfied with the bid, then add to
the price and sell it for the higher price. Sometimes it is better to sell for the bidder's price if you have no
use for the item. Don't be afraid to ask questions of other dealers. Many will be happy to help you and provide
some good information on selling. Be sure the merchandise is displayed so that it may be readily seen with the big
items in back of the small ones. Everything should be arranged neat and clean as possible.
Before you decide to become a regular who works Flea
Markets on a steady basis, you must decide what kind of merchandise sells best. You will have to ask
yourself these questions. Is there a market for this item? How big is the market? A close observation of other
dealers will soon reveal that jewelry, furniture, glassware, collectibles, toys, novelties, books, records,
hardware, old, new, and antique, coin items, old pictures, photos, reprints and clothes are among the most popular
items. Those that sell for one or two dollars are usually the best.
Don't overlook seasonal items such as sunglasses and T-shirts. Fishing equipment sells best in spring and
summer. Stationery supplies in late August and September would be timed right. Calendars are the best items in
January. You must think ahead so that you will have the right items for every season of the year.
A positive approach will give you a good start toward selling to the public. You must remember, that it is up to
you to give the public what it wants at a better price than sold at stores or elsewhere. This is the hard part for
some to understand because there is always the temptation to make a "fast buck". But, it is the quickest way to
fail in any business. The real success comes from REPEAT BUSINESS. Everyone loves a bargain. And that is the secret
of bringing them back for more. One excellent way to earn customer confidence is to refund their money if not
satisfied.
Look for Mail Order Trade, Salesmen and Wholesale Trade publications at your newsstands. You will find many low
cost merchandise advertised in them. Write to the sources, obtain copies of their catalogs. Also, watch your
newspaper for public auctions, and business close-out sales. Many fine items can be secured, at real bargain prices
in this way.
Most folks want to buy an item that is ready to use. This is good to remember when you are selling. Don't try to
sell an item that is not working properly unless you tell the buyer about it. The selling price should reflect the
condition of the item. However, you must bear in mind that many of the old items that you want to sell are worth
more today than they were when you bought them. Especially if they are in good working condition.