Flea Markets, Craft Fairs, and Other Sale Shows

Despite the name, flea markets and the like can be highly profitable ventures. You may have to get used to the idea that some will think of you as the junk dealer until you convince them otherwise.

Where to Find Them

If this is your first time at such markets, you may not know where to find them. People who do “shows” for a living will be reluctant to tell you about the best ones until they know you pretty well. People sometimes guard their list of events like a prized mushroom patch. When you get a collection of them, you might too.

You may find signs or flyers up around town advertising shows in your area. Often, organizers will visit other shows to hand out flyers for the one they’ll be hosting later. Many are advertised online in classified ads, bulletin boards or mailing lists. Radio ads are also very common, especially on the AM band.

Flea markets in particular are very often part of a community event. There are all sorts of places to look up shows in nearby towns. Your state and local department of tourism should have a listing. Anything publication that caters to motor tourists, such as AAA Magazine will list events, many of which will have associated events such as a rodeo or car show as well as a market. Festivals of all sorts and special interest gatherings will also very often have somewhere for you to set up and sell.

Many cities have very low cost community education classes that are taught by your neighbours. Classes that teach recycling and selling often have information that can aid your search, too.

Even antique shows will often have a place for contemporary sellers, off to a side, where you can sell. Indeed, many other events have flea market sections; so don’t be dismayed if you deal in up-to-date items.

Getting Ready

When you find somewhere to go, you’ll want to find out everything you can about it. This isn’t always easy, but should be at least able to find out whether it’s in or outdoors. Markets in places that cater to a large number of tourists, like Florida, Arizona or Texas in the US, are very likely to have permanent indoor markets. Shows in small towns are more likely to have a fairgrounds or outdoor arena for you to set up in.

When you’re just starting out, you don’t want to spend too much on supplies, but as you increase your commitment to this type of selling, you’ll want to invest in a pop up tent to keep the rain and sun off your self and your merchandise.

Be sure and bring the tools you will need. If you need a screwdriver to set the tent up, don’t leave home without it. You’ll look a lot more professional if you bring a bag of some sort for people to take their new treasure away in. Make sure your moneybag has change in it so you don’t have to hunt it down. Making deals in twenty-dollar increments can be helpful, too. Save a few bucks and pack your lunch, but don’t pass up a chance to take a “power lunch” of corndogs or burritos with another exhibitor.

Paying your dues

There will be a fee to participate and it can vary widely. Some places will rent table space for as little as $5 or give you ample space to set up a tent for $500. Weigh carefully your anticipated profits against the cost of entry. It’s no fun to spend three sweaty days hawking your wares only to lose money.

Shows may be a single day, a weekend event or a semi-permanent space leased from week to week. You’ll probably want to start at a single event when the weather is nice.

You can pay on the day of the show most times, but pre-registration to secure a booth space is possible too. Sometimes it is required, usually with online registration or a particularly large event.

You will usually find yourself bringing a larger volume of items to a flea market. If you don’t have one already, you may find yourself borrowing a friend’s truck or van, renting one, or even considering a purchase when you really get going. This will allow you to lock some things up when you stay more than one day somewhere.

Setting up

Get there as early as you can manage without having to wait for the gates to open. If you arrived the night before, you may have been able to do a lot of preparation the previous day. If not, you’ll have to quickly set everything up. Those who take long-term rent on a more permanent space may be able to lock up at night and avoid this headache.

While the table or space you rent can be rather small at times, you can use your imagination to utilize three dimensions. Often it will not be in a conventional shape either, so you will very often find yourself arranging your display to fit the conditions of your allotted space. If you’re renting a table, find out beforehand if they will be supplying them. If not, you’ll have to bring that, too. You may want to bring something to sit on and something to keep water in at the very least.

The less you have lying around for someone to make off with, the better. Vendors very rarely steal from each other, but thievery by others is a fact of life.

The Scene

You’ll have to decide how far you’re willing to travel. This will determine whether you stay the night somewhere or not. If you don’t mind camping out, you may be able to do so right there with your things, or there may be campgrounds nearby. It is usually far too much money and bother to stay at hotels unless you’re doing really well. Most people will want to plan on tenting it or staying in a camper.

If you’re there with a partner or friend, try not to get snippy at each other. The more stressful moments of selling at a show can very easily lead to loud arguments.

You’ll very likely see the same people from show to show, so you’ll probably get to know each other pretty well. You may even find yourself “making the circuit” like a band of gypsies or the Dead Family[i]. Consider it part of the fun.

Social Networking

Since you’re selling to real live people letting them help you sell is handy too. You can rack your brain for days trying to think of the idea that someone else has on the tip of his or her tongue.