So I sell stuff at flea markets and swap meets here and there when I find a good one, and after the first one I attended, I picked up on how things work a little bit and thought I’d share. I’ve seen a few posts like these on the Internet, so I apologize to anyone if they think I’m copying from them, I’m really not, great minds just think alike!
Preparation beforehand (and don’t think you’ll do it the morning of):
1. Organize your products, whether they be jewelry, accessories, clothing, etc. It helps to have everything you sell in one container if possible. A plastic tub, if your stuff isn’t too heavy, is nice, or a backpack/suitcase on wheels works great as well.
2. Imagine what your table will look like. If you’ve never done a flea market or swap meet 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/gazebo, 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. If you’re not worried about car theft, load everything into your car the night before, otherwise have it all ready to go.
5. Get change at the bank. It depends on the prices you ask for your products, but I always have at the very least, 5 $1 bills, 4 $5 bills and 1 $10 bill. That’s the bare minimum though! Lots of people like to break their $20s in the morning too, so lots of $5 bills are helpful.
6. Contact the organizers and pay ahead if possible, otherwise find out who you need to talk to when you get there. Paying ahead is a guarantee that you have a spot, so that’s the best way.
7. Map out where the sale is and how to get there from your place. Research parking options, bring extra money to pay parking if you need to.
8. Get a good night’s sleep! It’ll be a long, crazy day so get everything done early so you can go to bed early.
Day of the Sale:
1. Allow yourself plenty of time to get there. Flea markets usually have a window of time for vendors to set up. Plan to arrive near the beginning of this window of time. If you finish setting up early, take a break and mingle with other vendors until the sale starts! Better safe than sorry.
2. Decide if you want to actually sell stuff or not. I’m serious! You could sit in the back of your booth reading a book or texting people all day while assuming people will buy something if they like it, or you can stand up and sell your products to people. 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. Personally when I do flea markets, I never sit down unless it’s a really slow period. I don’t hover over people though, I 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 representing things makes people more comfortable asking a question about a product, and thus, more comfortable buying from you. If a person browses through things for a while, or fingers the sunglasses, I’ll casually mention they can try them on if they’d like or recommend a pair of earrings I think might look good with 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. And that’s the key to a sale.
3. Unless you have a lot of inventory on multiple tables or it’s a busy flea market, you probably won’t need someone else there all day. 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, feed the meter, grab a bite to eat or even 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 nervewracking for both of you because you’re entrusting them to your stuff, 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 though, recognize they’re doing YOU a favor and maybe bring them back a water or hot dog or something.
Tip: Buy a cute apron or something with easily-accessible pockets, because you DON’T want to keep your money in a cashbox. It takes a second for someone to grab it and take off running with your profits while you’re fishing for a pen. 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 and either you not see it or get swept up by the wind.
This may seem like a lot to take in, but a lot of it is obvious-it’s just helpful to have it all written out. Let me know if there’s anything else! I’ll post a specific supply list later.
~Lindsey
LovetheLimelight.com
Tags: booth, business, flea markets, jewelry, market, sale, selling, swap meets, vendors
