13 HOT SELLING WHOLESALE FLEA MARKET ITEMS

Here are 13 hot selling wholesale flea market items in 2023:

Vintage clothing: People love to find unique and stylish pieces of clothing that they can't find anywhere else. Vintage clothing is a great way to do that. You can find vintage clothing at thrift stores, garage sales, and online.

Vintage clothing wholesale flea market items

Handmade crafts: People are always looking for unique and handmade items. Handmade crafts are a great way to show off your creativity and sell something that is truly one-of-a-kind. You can sell handmade crafts at flea markets, online, or at craft fairs.

Handmade crafts wholesale flea market items

Collectibles: Collectibles are items that people collect because they are rare, valuable, or interesting. There are all sorts of collectibles that you can sell at flea markets, such as coins, stamps, toys, and figurines.

Collectibles wholesale flea market items

Unique furniture: People are always looking for unique and stylish furniture pieces to add to their homes. If you have some unique furniture pieces that you no longer want, you can sell them at a flea market.

Unique furniture wholesale flea market items

Vinyl records: Vinyl records are making a comeback. People love the sound quality of vinyl records and the nostalgia factor. If you have a collection of vinyl records that you no longer listen to, you can sell them at a flea market.

Vinyl records wholesale flea market items

Costume jewelry: Costume jewelry is a great way to add a touch of style to your outfit without spending a lot of money. You can find costume jewelry at flea markets for a fraction of the price you would pay in a retail store.

Costume jewelry wholesale flea market items

Home decor: People are always looking for unique and stylish home decor pieces to add to their homes. If you have some handmade home decor pieces or unique finds, you can sell them at a flea market.

Home decor wholesale flea market items

Ephemera: Ephemera are items that are printed or published but not intended to be preserved. This includes things like old newspapers, magazines, posters, and postcards. Ephemera can be a great way to add some history and personality to your home.

Ephemera wholesale flea market items

Blank books: Blank books are a great way to get creative. You can use them to write in, draw in, or collage in. Blank books are also a great gift idea for people who love to be creative.

Blank books wholesale flea market items

Gift baskets: Gift baskets are a great way to show someone you care. You can fill a gift basket with all sorts of goodies, such as snacks, drinks, and small gifts. Gift baskets are also a great way to use up leftover inventory.

Gift baskets wholesale flea market items

Food and drinks: People are always looking for snacks and drinks to enjoy at flea markets. You can sell pre-packaged food and drinks, or you can sell homemade food and drinks. If you sell homemade food and drinks, make sure you have the proper permits and licenses.

Food and drinks wholesale flea market items

Pet supplies: People who love their pets are always looking for new pet supplies. You can sell pet toys, food, treats, and accessories at flea markets.

Pet supplies wholesale flea market items

Plants. Plants are a great way to add some life and color to your home. You can sell plants at flea markets, either indoors or outdoors.

Plants wholesale flea market items

These are just a few of the hot selling wholesale flea market items in 2023. The best way to find out what items are selling well in your area is to visit a few flea markets and see what people are buying.

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Marketing Your Flea Market Business

The purpose of this article is to give flea market vendors some marketing tips that they could use to bring in more traffic to their booths. Vendors should not only rely on the flea market owner’s advertising to bring in traffic. The owner’s job is to let people know about the flea market, the vendor’s job is to let people know about their business and products.

This article will not only give you tips about offline marketing, but will also give you some internet marketing tips that you can use to start your own online marketing plan. By combining the two sources you will be able to reach more of your target customers

Get the Word Out

There are many ways to let people know about your business. As a flea market vendor you have the advantage of the advertising that the owner does to bring in traffic, but how can you bring in potential customers to your booth?

Creating a business card to display your business name and products is a good way to start. Another alternative to business cards is printing fliers or brochures and passing them out. Placing classified ads in your local newspapers can let local people know about your business. Writing press releases can give you some free publicity for your business.

Relationship Marketing

When you build a relationship or friendship with someone, you build their trust in you. People do business with people they like and trust. By applying relationship marketing to your flea market business, you build a loyal group of customers who want to do business with you. How do you build relationships and /or friendships with your customers? You let them get to know you and what you have to offer. You can do this by sharing your knowledge and developing online profiles. Below are some examples.

- Participate in forums.

- Join some social networking sites.

- Attend local seminars.

Create a Buzz with Viral Marketing Strategies

Viral marketing is a cool term for word of mouth on the Internet. It is where people hear about your business or products through other people. Ways to build buzz about your flea market business include:

- Email Newsletters
- Blogging
- Video Clips
- Games, Software, Scripts
- Ebooks
- Articles
- Contests/Giveaways/Prize Drawings

Website Marketing

Using a website to market your business on the Internet allows you to:

- place descriptions and photos of your products or services
- sell your products directly from your website
- reach a large, worldwide audience
- have a storefront which is open 24 hours a day
- build a relationship with your customers

You could also use your website to generate a profit in other ways than through direct sales to customers. Some of these methods include:

- selling advertisings space
- promote related affiliate programs
- sell information products (ebooks, video products, audio products, etc.)
- generate leads for other businesses and get paid
- recommend related service businesses for a referral fee
- place google ads on your site
- put a link to your ebay store or ebay auctions
- many other options…

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Finding Flea Market Wholesale Items

Searching for flea market wholesale items for your flea market booth can be frustrating sometimes. If you try searching online for wholesalers, you will find many middlemen and other scammers claiming to be real wholesalers. This article will help you to sort thru the junk and uncover some wholesale deals.

Depending on the type of products you want to sell, you may be able to find wholesalers in your local area. You can look in the phone book to find local wholesale businesses. Or you can go to yellowpages.com and type “general merchandise-wholesale” (or other type of product) into the find box. Then enter your city and state or your zip code in the location box. If you live in a small city or town, you may want to enter a large city that is close to you into the location box.

Please note that most wholesalers will only sell to retailers that have a tax id number. Before you visit any of the wholesalers that you find, you may want to call and ask them what they require from you in order to purchase items from them. While you’re on the phone with them you may want to get directions and make sure they are still located at the address that is listed.

Another way to find flea market wholesale items is searching eBay for low priced items to resell. Some eBay sellers provide small wholesale lots for flea market vendors. You could also search some of the other auction sites to find some good deals. Amazon, yahoo, and overstock are some of the other large auction sites.

Buying flea market products at wholesale prices allows vendors to make more money from their items. If you know the demand for your flea market products, the price your shoppers are willing to pay, and how much you want to make from the item(s), then you will know how much you should spend on obtaining those products.

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Uncovering Popular Flea Market Products

Flea market vendors are always in search of the most popular flea market products to offer from their booths. This article will tell you the 10 most popular flea market products, where to find them and how to determine which products are selling well.

One of the best ways to find out what items are selling is to search ebay auction site and determine which listings are being bid on. The eBay Pulse page is also a good place to look. It lists the most popular items according to number of people watching an auction listing. Even though all the items listed on this page may not sell well at every flea market, you can get a good idea of what to sell.

Another way to research popular flea market products is to visit local flea markets and see what items are selling well. Pay attention to which booths attract the most attention. Then make a note of what items the people are buying. You also may want to make a note of how much the items are selling for. Because even if you have the most popular items at your booth, you have to offer a great deal on those items. The best way to know what to sell and how much to sell it for is to ask your customers what they are looking for and how much they are willing to pay for it.

According to our research and experience, the 10 most popular flea market products are:

Jewelry: Costume jewelry, body jewelry (such as tongue & belly rings), designer jewelry, diamond jewelry, gold jewelry, silver jewelry, beaded jewelry, fashion jewelry, and even hand-crafted jewelry seems to draw a lot of attention, and if the price is right, you could get a lot of buyers.

Electronics: People are always looking for a great deal on electronics. Home and car audio equipment, dvd players, cd players, television sets, cameras, cell phones, satellite dishes and receivers are usually good sellers.

Clothing: Almost any type of clothing can be sold at a flea market, if the item is in new or good condition. Some examples of popular clothing items are t-shirts, children’s clothing, jeans, work pants, dress pants, overalls, coveralls, dresses, sweatshirts, and sweaters.

Furniture: New and used furniture items sell well at flea markets. Outdoor furniture, couches, loveseats, recliners, bunk beds, coffee tables, night stands, and other furniture items are good sellers.

Tools: Whether you sell automotive tools, household tools, air tools, power tools, hand tools, woodworking tools, or garden tools. These tools can be name brand like Dewalt, Snap On, and Stanley or off brand names. These type of items attract a lot of male (and some female) browsers.

Knives: Case knives, pocket knives, hunting knives, folding knives, throwing knives, butterfly knives, switchblade knives, and even collectible knives can sell well at a flea market. Some flea markets do not allow you to sell some of these items because of state or local laws.

Books: Almost any kind of books can be sold. Children’s books, cook books, mystery books, romance books, comic books, coloring books, even Harry Potter books. Whether they are new, used, or rare, books are popular.

Candles: People love to decorate their homes with candles. Soy candles, jar candles, gel candles, pillar candles, tea light candles, votive candles, and scented can be appealing to most flea market shoppers.

Toys: Everything from action figures and toy cars to classic toys and stuffed animals attract the children to your booth (who will drag their parents behind them) to buy these items.

Dollar items: Everything from small toys and kitchen utensils to nail polish and fashion accessories that can be sold for $1 or multiples for a dollar (ex. 3 for $1), attracts a lot of buyers. Most people browsing flea markets have a few single bills in their pocket just waiting to be spent. Small children usually have some allowance money to spend or can talk their parents out of a dollar to buy one of your toy items.

DVD’s, VHS tapes, silk flowers, novelty and gift items also sell well. You can sell almost any item at a flea market if the price is right. Offer your shoppers a great deal on your items and you may just find that you have the most popular flea market products in town.

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Doing Business in Korea – 3 Must Knows

THE GREAT SOUTHERN GATE to the city of Seoul is officially called ‘Sungnyemun’ in Korean, which can be translated as The Gate of Exalted Ceremonies or sometimes The Gate of Courtesy and Respect.

If you’re kicking off business in South Korea, and don’t know all that much about the country, it pays to bear the Great Southern Gate in mind.

Despite all the glitz and glamour of modern South Korea, it’s sometimes forgotten that Korea has a long and proud history. Many of its customs and traditions still permeate modern-day life, which includes its business culture.

Let’s look at just 3 of the basic must-knows for doing business in Korea.

1.    CONFUCIANISM AND THE FAMILY

Koreans are an emotional and spiritual people. They’ve been called the ‘Welsh of Asia’ for their love of music and church. They also play a mean game of rugby.

A quarter of the population is practising Buddhist (many more are non-practising), a quarter is Christian, and at least as many believe in the shamanist principle that the world is inhabited by spirits that live in nature and that can be summoned or placated through rituals involving incantation, music and dance.

Woven into all these beliefs is a powerful strand of Confucianism, which emphasizes the importance of family, the authority of elders and of ancestor worship.

As in many Asian societies, eldest sons are expected to financially support the family and to carry on the family name by marrying and having sons of their own.

Children are raised to believe they can never repay their debt to their parents, hence the popularity of ancestor worship. Ancestral ceremonies for the previous three generations (parents, grandparents, and great grandparents) are held several times a year.

2. MEETING AND GREETING

These traditions underpin they way business is conducted in South Korea. There are rules of protocol when greeting a Korean, although they are not quite as set in stone as those in Japan.

A person of lower status bows to a person of higher status but the most senior person will offer the handshake that follows after the bow (a good example of the Korean taste for mix-and-match).

They will say ‘pleased to meet you’ in Korean but unless you are fluent in their language, don’t try to reply. A smile and a handshake usually do the trick, plus a business card. However, make sure that you wait to be introduced at a social gathering and when you leave, say good-bye and try to give a short bow (not a Mr. Bean parody) to everyone present.

Remember that women also require a handshake and bow, although the Confucian ethic still relegates women to a lower position in Korean society than men. Women usually appear quiet and submissive in public. In reality, women wield considerable power behind the scenes, often managing the family finances and wellbeing and they are increasingly visible at management level.

Don’t be fooled by the Korean male walking through the door ahead of his wife and her helping him into his coat!

An interesting difference to other Asian countries is that a Korean may very well look you straight in the eye when presenting himself. There’s a certain directness in the Korean approach to foreigners. This is possibly explained by the extreme emphasis Koreans place on the importance of the visual. Koreans will draw initial conclusions about you based also entirely on what you look like.

So remember to keep up your standards of personal branding so that your project the kind of stylishness, confidence and culture that is so much part of modern Korean life.

Business card etiquette in Korea is much the same as in the rest of Asia. Present the card in both hands with the Korean translation uppermost and the characters facing your counterpart. When receiving a card, take it formally in two hands and don’t slip it into a back pocket. Read it carefully, register the title, and don’t write on it.

Your business card should also show your job title, thereby allowing your Korean counterparts to understand your place in your company’s hierarchy. Be respectful with it.

3. SAVING OR LOSING FACE

In South Korea, as in other Asian societies, face is central to the way business and social relationships work. Through their social etiquette and behaviour, Koreans aim to preserve a harmonious environment in which a person’s kibun can remain balanced. Kibun literally means mood or inner feelings.

Any damage to kibun damages the business relationship. This means that Koreans often appear helpful, polite and friendly on a personal level but they will aim to do nothing that upsets kibun, such as middle management always saying ‘yes’ when they mean ‘no’, never giving a straight answer, never assuming personal responsibility for anything.

The best way to handle kibun is not to demand yes or no answers, as in Japan, and to accept the need for slow consensual decision-making. Given Korea’s history of subjugation and being threatened, it is vital to treat South Koreans with proper respect and to avoid any situation in which they or their country might appear to lose face.

Contradicting someone openly, criticising them in front of someone else or patronising them are a sure way to lose business.  Always give face through sincere compliments, showing respect or doing something that raises self-esteem.

If you remember these 3 must-knows you will be on your way to forming the kind of long-term business and personal relationship that is the key to doing business in South Korea.

- See more at: http://davidcliveprice.com/doing-business-in-korea-3-must-knows/#sthash.qVFGwyef.dpuf

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South Korean Culture

In a highly competitive business environment, it is more important than ever to understand the business culture of your target markets. Understanding business culture helps you to understand, anticipate and respond to unexpected behaviour. It also ensures that you behave in an acceptable way and avoid misunderstandings.

The South Korean market is a favourite among foreign direct investors. However, while the country’s thriving economy, liberalising marketplace and widespread use of English in business make it an appealing choice to UK investors, there are some significant cultural differences and challenges to be aware of.


Business Etiquette


Relationship building


Everything depends on personal relationships so it is important to spend time establishing a good working relationship and building trust with South Koreans. Sport, families and hobbies are all good topics of conversation. South Koreans may enquire about your personal life, in an attempt to establish your age and status, and to build a relationship with you. You should answer these questions honestly and openly, but without being boastful.


One can ‘borrow’ relationships, and introductions are very helpful but successful business requires one to build ones’ own relationships. Devote time getting to know your counterparts both professionally and personally. Work on developing your relationships just as you would your professional skills. Mix business with pleasure. Develop, sustain and grow your personal network.


You will find being introduced to a company by a trusted third party, such as the British Embassy, more effective than going in cold – UKTI in South Korea can help you here. If you make a mistake in business, always own up to it and demonstrate what you are doing to put it right.


CommunicationWhile many South Koreans are comfortable communicating in English, many talented and capable South Koreans are not. Accommodate your language to your audience. Speak in clear, basic English. Do not rely solely on verbal communication but reiterate your messages in writing.


Cultural differences also influence communication. Traditional culture favours harmony rather than confrontation often causing Westerners to understand silence as acceptance. Negative questions are understood differently and ‘yes/no’ questions are unreliable. Ask questions from several directions to verify that the message has been successfully communicated. Your counterpart is unlikely to request clarification even if understanding is not complete.


When making presentations, minimise words and maximise graphs, charts and visuals that can communicate across languages and cultures.


South Korea is a country where things can happen extremely quickly. Same day response is the norm. A week without communication is interpreted as lack of interest and/or termination of a project.


MeetingsYou will need to book meetings well in advance and make sure you arrive punctually, even if your host does not. Your approach should be formal but friendly, although avoid making jokes as this could be interpreted as a lack of respect for your host.


The top-down management style of South Korean companies means it is important to show respect for authority. Ideally, the most senior person in the team should enter the room first and greet the most senior South Korean representative.


In general, you should introduce older people to younger people and women to men. Make sure that you show due respect and use people’s titles correctly. Leaders should sit opposite one another around the table.


Remember that the aim of initial meetings is usually to get to know one another, so don’t expect to begin business negotiations right away.


You will always be offered ‘Tea’ (which can also be coffee, juice, water or something else); it is awkward to refuse so better to accept even if not consumed. Wait until these rituals have been completed to commence business discussions.


Allow your counterpart plenty of time to express his opinion; avoid dominating the conversation but try to listen and understand what your counterpart is thinking. This is particularly true if your counterpart is weak at English.


HandshakesA slight bow, followed by a handshake, is the preferred way of greeting somebody in South Korea. More junior personnel will bow first to their senior colleagues. You should wait for more senior personnel to offer their hand first.


South Koreans prefer a softer handshake and, during the handshake, you may support your right forearm with your left hand. Some senior South Koreans consider eye contact as rude, but that’s not the norm. It is advisable to make direct eye contact when addressing South Korean business professionals in order to show honesty and interest.


A man greeting a South Korean business woman should wait for her to initiate a handshake, as some women prefer to bow instead. Never use your index finger to point at somebody.


Body languageBody language is an important way of showing respect towards someone older or a more senior person in South Korea, as is using their honorific title when greeting them.


Keeping your legs straight and your upper body in a slight stoop denotes respect. A slight bow is also used when expressing an apology (for example, if you tread on somebody’s foot). You should also bow deeply when saying goodbye and say Annyeong-hee-gaseyo.


Sneezing and blowing your nose in public is considered rude (and sometimes funny). If you have to sneeze, try to make it quiet. If you do sneeze in front of somebody, make sure you apologise.


Use both hands when giving or receiving anything (including business cards), as it is regarded as polite.


AttireSouth Koreans tend to dress appropriately for their work surroundings, as you would expect in the UK. Black, blue and brown-coloured suits are recommended. Tight skirts, low necklines and sleeveless tops should be avoided, as should shorts.


HierarchyHierarchy is an important concept in South Korean business. See ‘Meetings’ section in this guide for details of how you should conduct business meetings with due regard for people’s experience and seniority.


All South Korean relationships are hierarchical. The individual in the ‘superior’ position is treated with respect while the ‘junior’ is subservient (sometimes to the point of rudeness by Western values). Age, position in the company, education, and marital status all determine one’s ‘rank’ in society.


Westerners are often surprised that they are asked very specific and even personal questions when they first meet a South Korean. Your counterpart is trying to determine where you fit in the hierarchy. Your ‘rank’ can have a major impact on who is willing to meet you and the nature of the dialogue (relative position). Titles are hierarchical rather than functional in South Korean companies. Know your counterpart and how he fits within his organisation.


Names and titlesWhen addressing someone in business you should use their professional (for example professor, doctor, engineer) and honorific titles.


Korean names are written Surname, and then Given Name. Often in communication with Westerners, the order is reversed to accommodate our culture. Initials and Anglicised names are sometimes used to facilitate communication with Westerners. While this is very considerate and convenient for Westerners, fellow South Koreans often will not be aware of the Anglicised name so may not know who is being discussed. Titles are very important among South Koreans and are used when addressing individuals. The most common address in Korean is surname followed by title, for example “Director Lee”.


Women in businessAlthough South Korean attitudes to women in business are changing slowly, it is still very rare for women to hold senior positions in South Korea. Consequently, the opportunity to work with a foreign company, with more enlightened attitudes towards equality, tends to be welcomed by many professional women in the country.


PunctualityAs has already been stated, you should be punctual for meetings and leave plenty of time for your journey to avoid arriving late. When engaged in a business relationship, you should ensure that delivery times are clear and that you act quickly to remedy any problems.


Business cardsYou will need to have a good supply of business cards as it is customary to exchange these (using both hands) when meeting a business person for the first time. Your business cards should be translated on one side into Korean.


Be sure to treat someone’s business card with respect as to do otherwise risks insulting them. Examine the card before putting it away, or place it face up on the table in front of you during a meeting. Never write on someone’s card in their presence unless they are happy for you to do so. One good tip is to ask a question based on the information on the card.


Treat cards with respect; they represent your counterparts’ ‘face’, provide important clues as to their importance and are a key tool for managing relationships.


NegotiationsSouth Koreans like to spend time getting to know their business associates, so don’t expect important decisions to be reached in the initial meeting. Avoid becoming visibly frustrated or irritated as this could insult your host. Be patient, but firm, allow plenty of time for negotiations and remain dignified throughout.


Gift givingThe culture of gift giving persists in Korea, particularly for formal meetings and meetings between very senior people. Also, when travelling overseas, taking a gift for your host (and reciprocating) is not uncommon. For working level business meetings, gifts are rare. However, hosting meals is expected.


Giving small gifts is part of the process of building a business relationship in South Korea. Items from the UK or your particular region will be especially well-received, as will items branded with your company logo. It is customary for South Koreans to refuse the gift once or twice as a gesture of humility.


You should give and receive a gift with both hands. Gifts should be wrapped and it is customary to wait until the giver is out of sight before opening them. Gifts should always be reciprocated at the same level.


HospitalityHospitality is an important part of South Korean business culture. You may be invited out to dinner in a restaurant or, occasionally, in someone’s home. This is considered a great honour. You should always remove your shoes, and remember to point them towards the front door.


DrinkingHealth consciousness has supplanted heavy drinking with golf and other pursuits, but eating and drinking remain important parts of relationship building, particularly among the over 50 age group – and drinking is serious not casual. While it is not common to drink at lunch, often beer or wine will be served to accommodate “Western” habits.


South Korea has one of the highest rates of alcohol consumption in the world and men are expected to partake in the country’s drinking culture. Serious drinking is done at night and is often a drawn-out affair demonstrating prowess and stamina. Be careful! Often, key commercial information is revealed at the very end of a drinking session so one needs to be alert enough to catch the message. However, although drinking and dining relationships are still important, increasingly the specifics of deals and contracts are signed in a usual business style and situation familiar to Western firms.


If you’ve had enough to drink, avoid emptying your glass. If you don’t want to drink, excuse yourself on medical or religious grounds. It is considered polite to fill other people’s glasses rather than your own.


DiningEating is an important component of building relationships and ‘bonding’ in Korea. It's rare for a meeting that ends near mealtime not to result in an invitation by the ‘host’, and it's common for the host to pay for the meal - sharing the cost of the meal (in a business setting) is unheard of in South Korea. Seminars and workshops always include a meal – usually hosted by the event sponsor.


There are a number of rules you should observe when dining. Most of them are basic good table manners, but there are a few that are specific to South Korea. For example, you should not hold your rice or soup bowl in your hand during the meal. Spoons and chopsticks should not be rested on any bowl or dish and you should not hold them together in one hand. When an elderly person gets up, you should also get up. Younger people should not pick up their tableware before older people.

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Flea Market Sales Tips with notes on Cost and Tax

1. To determine how much you should charge for each item, take into account how much the item cost you, tax, and shipping charges, then multiply that total 2 to 3 times for sales to your customers.
2. Before you set up your booth, place price tags on each and every piece of merchandise you intend to sell.
3. If you are selling items in a state that requires you to charge sales tax at a flea market, then be sure to note on each price tag that there is “tax included.”
4. Some states require you to obtain a business license with tax ID and display it in your booth. They may also require you to charge state and/or federal income tax, but you can pass that cost along to your customers as noted above. Usually they will offer temporary licenses for each time you set up a booth at a flea market, but some will require you to pay an annual license tax amount.
5. Make a checklist of items you need to bring for the business side. We recommend:

pens and markers

price tags

scissors

scotch tape

stapler

notebook

reference table of sales tax

calculator or adding machine

an extra roll of receipt tape

cash box with adequate change and smaller bills

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Tips on Display at your Flea Market Booth

1. Make sure that you and your booth are clean. Dress nicely, but casually. You need to look approachable.
2. Arrive early so that you will have plenty of time to set up your booth up before the flea market opens. You may reduce your set up time by carefully labeling your merchandise and display materials in boxes you bring.
3. Plan to deal with changing weather conditions at an outdoor flea markets Bring plastic sheets to protect your merchandise against rain and clips to hold the covers securely to the table in case of wind.
4. Use a clean and pressed fabric for your table cover that is large enough to cover your table and drape all the way to the floor. It is more attractive and it gives you a good place to store boxes out of view.
5. Take a picture of your booth when you are done setting it up. You can examine the picture later to see what elements you like and what you think could use improvement.
6. Be certain that you have brought enough merchandise to last through the entire sale.
7. Use display racks. Products on display at eye-level are the first noticed. You can purchase display racks from Frescos.com or have a handy person make them for you.
8. When displaying jewelry, use black or white materials for display. The contrast makes the jewelry catch the eye better.
9. You should also consider using your own body as a means of displaying your jewelry. If you do this, wear clothing that will have good contrast with the jewelry and show it off well.
10. Replace items that have sold with new merchandise right away.
11. If you choose to accept credit cards, then be sure to make a sign letting people know.
12. You should also make signs that display your web site’s URL and prominently display your business cards.
13. Even at flea markets, some states require that you display your business license. Check with the flea market organizer to be sure.
14. Some additional tips of handy things to bring:

paper towels or handi-wipes
shopping bags


brooms and dustpans

extension cords

a Trash can

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SELLING TIPS

Before The Fair Flea Market Gathering

1. Organize your products. It helps to have everything you sell in one container if possible. A plastic tub, backpack or suitcase on wheels all work well.

2. Imagine what your table will look like. Make sure it is inviting and not too cluttered looking. If you’ve never done a flea market before, it helps to do a dry run-through at home and set everything up. That way you can spot if there’s anything you need. Remember everything you used to set up and keep it all together until the big day. If you have a canopy or booth, make sure you know how to set it up.

3. Label every item with prices or clearly written signs. Labels are better, some people just don’t read!

4. Load everything into your car the night before so it’s all ready to go early Sunday morning.

5. Get change at the bank. It depends on the prices you ask for your products, but always have, at the very least: (5) $1.00 bills, (4) $5.00 bills and (1) $10.00 bill. That’s the bare minimum! People like to break their $20s in the morning so lots of $5.00 bills are helpful.

On the Day of the Gathering

1. Allow yourself plenty of time to get there. Plan to arrive near the beginning of set-up time. If you finish setting up early, take a break and mingle with other vendors until the sale starts!

2. People don’t usually come to flea markets to buy stuff they NEED, they come to see if there’s anything they WANT. It’s your job to show them why they want something. Many vendors never sit down unless it’s a really slow period.

3. Don’t hover over people, just organize the table or sort through excess inventory, something menial so people don’t feel they’re interrupting if they have a question. Standing behind your table makes people more comfortable asking a question about a product and more comfortable buying from you.

4. If a person browses through things for a while, or fingers the sunglasses, perhaps casually mention they can try them on if they’d like or recommend a pair of earrings you think might look good on them. And be honest! If someone tries something on that doesn’t match their face shape or hair color, tell them! But recommend something new in its place. They’ll appreciate your honesty and be more inclined to try more things on. Now, rather than deciding WHETHER to buy or not, you have them deciding WHICH product to get. That’s the key to a sale.

5. It’s more fun if you can get a friend to help you out, but don’t feel like it’s a priority. It DOES help though, to have friends stop in throughout the day and monitor the booth when you have to use the restroom, grab a bite to eat or just get out and browse other booths. Try not to ask the vendor next to you to watch your stuff while you run an errand. It’s nerve-wracking for both of you because you’re entrusting your stuff to them, and they’re stretched enough trying to handle their own business. Plus, with no one behind the table, you’ll lose potential sales anyway. If you must ask them, recognize they’re doing YOU a favor and maybe bring them back a water or a snack or something.

Suggested Supply List

• Collapsible camp chair. You won’t be sitting much, but it’s nice to have.
• Table(s). The lighter, the better.
• Table covers that reach close to the ground. Do not have bare tables. Always use nice fabric!
• Boxes to put on the tables and under an attractive fabric to vary the height of the sales area. This adds visual interest and invites buyers.
  
• Card stock paper for signs
• Bags so buyers can easily carry the items they buy from you
• Permanent markers (several colors)
• Pens
• Scissors
• Pad of paper for notes
• Tape (both scotch and packing tape)
• Calculator
• Extra price tags or stickers
• Camera. It’s always nice to take a picture of the table you spent forever setting up.
• If appropriate, bring business cards or something with your contact information and a holder or display for them.

Hot Tip

Buy an apron or something with easily-accessible pockets, because you DON’T want to keep your money in a cash box. It just takes a second for someone to grab it and take off running with your profits. Plus, you look ridiculous carrying it to the bathroom with you. Don’t think you’re just going to keep the money in your jeans pocket either, because (a) it’s not comfortable carrying a roll of bills in your form-fitting jeans and, (b), it’s easy for a stray dollar to fall to the ground.

If You’re Selling Jewelry

• Displays: It’s more fun to use something other than traditional flocked velvet displays you get at jewelry supply stores. Consider using a spinning cd rack to hold earrings. Necklaces can hang on decoration trees. It’s also nice to have shallow bowls or trays to hold bangles or things that won’t get tangled up.
• Mirror for customers (bring Windex wipes to keep it sparkling throughout day)
• Extras of everything you use: earring hooks, necklace clasps, wire, etc.
• Extras of most popular beads or charms you use
• Earring clip cards
• Small clear zip lock bags to protect customer purchases: the 3”×3" size for individual pieces. Make sure your business cards fit them and slip one into each bag you give out.
• Needle-nose pliers, wire cutters
• Ruler. Some people may want to know the length of a necklace.
• Small price stickers
• Jewelry cleaning cloth
• Sterilization supplies to use after earrings are tried on

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Good Deals for Customers, Good Money for You

Flea markets are traditionally filled with people browsing for a deal. Sellers at a flea market typically fill their table with items picked up at garage or yard sales for a very low price. They then turn around and sell the items for a higher price at a flea market.

If you love shopping for a bargain and selling items for a profit then a flea market business may be the ideal small business for you.

How to Get Into the Flea Market Business
Your first step in starting a flea market business is to gather an inventory of items found in garage sales, yard sales and even second hand stores. You will want to set up an area in your home that will allow you to store your flea market inventory.

You will then want to set up an office area in your home that will allow you to schedule your time between searching for items and selling items at flea markets. People experienced in the flea market business often hit yard sales very early on weekend mornings to snatch up the best deals, and then set up their booth in a flea market on weekend afternoons.

Your office area will also give you a space to budget how much you are spending on yard sale items, and allow you to identify how much to charge for reselling items. You will want to ensure that your flea market business is not just gathering inventory, but is making a profit.

Skills Needed:
To succeed in the flea market business, you have to have a very keen eye for what sells well. Being a skilled bargain shopper and a skilled negotiator will be the keys to running a profitable flea market business.

Strong people skills will take you far in the flea market business. You will need to win over your customers and sweet talk sellers in this business, and a likeable personality and effective communication skills will help you to know what to say and how to say it.

Time management skills will allow you to split your schedule properly to allow for enough time to bargain shop, as well as flea market sell.

Experience Needed:
Retail experience will be helpful in your ability to talk with customers. But the most valuable experience you will gain will be in negotiating prices. If you are not an expert in yard sale dealings, make sure you get lots of practice prior to starting your flea market business.
Having a good understanding of how flea markets are run, how to competitively price your items, and how to attractively set up your flea market booth are all skills you will pick up with experience in working in a flea market.

Frequent many flea markets, and study how people run their operations. Also scout out which flea markets are most popular and populated, so that you can make sure you are working at the best flea markets.

Startup Requirements:
Your initial investment will be in the purchasing of yard sale and garage sale items for your flea market inventory.

You will also need a reliable vehicle that is large enough to transport you and your flea market inventory from one flea market to the next.

Once you have your yard sales mapped out and a spot reserved at a popular flea market you can begin buying and selling your way to profits with your own flea market business.

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