Tips for Flea Markets, Tag Sales, and Swap Meets

Savvy shopping means getting the most for your money. Sometimes that means paying full price for something that is just right.

Other times it is searching for sales or bargains. And sometimes it means getting creative by shopping in non-traditional places such as used furniture stores, consignment stores, flea markets, antique shows, country fairs, and auctions.

It seems like everyone is talking about it. And although stopping at off-price sales may lead to fabulous finds, sometimes successfully shopping these alternative sources calls for a certain amount of planning and preparation.

Here's what you'll want to know before venturing out to shop.

What to Take with You:

• Maps and Directions
• A Large Tote Bag
• Cash, Checkbook
• Your Wish List
• Pencil, Paper
• Tape Measure
• Measured Floorplan
• Room Photos
• Set of Swatches
• Cell Phone
• Rolling Cart
• Shopping Bags, Tissue

Maps, Directions, Phone numbers, and Hours
Assemble the information on your stops. Call ahead to get tips on parking, admission fees (if any), hours, and availability of food and drinks. Take a water bottle, especially on a hot day.

Information and Measurements
Shop with a list. Take a measured floorplan of your space so you can check the size of your entryway and your dining room alcove if you are looking for pieces to fit there. Measure your floor areas ahead of time if you'll be looking for rugs. Even take a set of room photos to remind yourself of other items and colors in your rooms. Also, bring a set of swatches (fabric, carpet, paint chips, tile) if you hope to match particular colors.

Prepare yourself
Wear confortable clothing and shoes. Consider clothing with lots of pockets (for sunglasses, lipbalm, pens, maps, etc.) Take a light jacket, hat, umbrella, sunscreen, or whatever will help you be confortable. Take a shoulder tote so your hands are free. Pare down your wallet to the bare necessities -- no need for your airline or library cards today.

Tools
Travel with a small tape measure, pencil, and notepad. Take a cell phone to keep in contact with others about your schedule or about items you see that someone else may be looking for. Dedicated shoppers will want to read these detailed shopping tips and tool list.

Packing Materials
Bring a selection of packing materials perhaps including old blankets, tarps, tissue paper, bubble wrap, boxes, tape, rope, and twine (and a knife). These things can help you get your purchases home in good condition.

Next: > Page 2: Arrive Early for the Best Selection

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Part 2: Arrive Early for the Best Selection

Rolling along
Consider taking a rolling basket cart to hold your purchases. Line the bottom with cardboard or a sturdy bag so small items can't fall out. Throw in a generous handful of plastic grocery bags to hold items as well as cushion them. For fragile items you might want to throw in a small bag of bubble wrap, foam sheets, or tissue.

Car
Take your biggest car, van, or a pickup if your objective is bargarin furniture finds. Prepare a small basic tool kit (screwdrivers, hammer, pliers) in case you need to remove legs, mirrors from dressers, etc.

What to Take in Your Car:

• A tool kit to help take legs off tables, etc.
• Blankets to wrap delicate purchases
• Rope or heavy twine to tie items to the roof of the car
• A tarp to wrap or cover items tied to the roof
• A handful of plastic shopping bags
• Bubble wrap or paper to keep china chip-free
• Boxes to keep purchases from rolling around in the car

Be Prepared with Cash
Have cash with you -- lots of it, in small bills. Also take a checkbook with plenty of checks and proper ID.

Take Bags
Grab a big handful of lightweight plastic shopping bags and stuff them into your purse or pockets, or keep them in your rolling cart. Use rubber bands to keep them contained and neat so you can pull one out as needed.

Arrive early
You'll kick yourself if you arrive at noon and see your "perfect" chandelier being carted off by someone else. Go early and know what you're looking for.

Have a plan
Some people like to make a quick circle of everything, then go back to what interests them. Others start in one corner and proceed slowly through each booth. And some go to an information booth to see if vendors are organized by item (china, furniture, jewelry, etc.), then go the areas that interests them. Whatever your strategy, have a list of your favorite items so you can stay focused.

Next: > Page 3: Shop with an Eye

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Part 3: Shop with an Eye

When shopping at a flea market it's easy to get caught up in a buying frenzy. Yet you may have better results if you can step back and look at potential purchases with a discerning eye.

Antiques
If you're interested in antiques or vintage items you may want to take a guidebook such as Kovel's to check values, markings, or styles. Don't be afraid to ask for advice and tips from vendors, since most are happy to answer questions and tell you about the items as well as tips on repair and restoration.

Shop with an Eye
See how items are displayed to get creative ideas that might be adapted to your own home. Think innovatively so items meant for one use can be adapted for use in another way -- say industrial beakers used as vases, sewing maching cabinets modified to hold plants, cabinet doors that could be made into tabletops.

See Possibilities
Even if something isn't "perfect" look beyond the rough exterior to see the bones of a piece. What would it look like painted black, or white? Could the frame be gold-leafed? Would that lamp base be perfect if you found a new shade? Could that cute chipped plate be hung high on a wall or broken up for a mosaic? Would a crackle finish renew that tired rocking chair?

Don't be afraid to negotiate
Money talks. If you have enough cash, always ask, "What's your best price for cash?", or "Would you take $___ cash right now?" Cash will save the vendor from a trip to the bank and from worries about bad checks.

Enjoy Yourself
You may not find something wonderful on every shopping trip, or you may buy something and later decide it isn't so perfect after all, yet it is often the thrill of the hunt that we remember fondly.

Shop at Home
What if you only have shopping time at midnight after the kids are asleep? Try an online flea market, mini flea market, or online auction like eBay.

Our Best Flea Market Shopping Tips:

Wherever and whenever you shop for decorating bargains -- it's all part of the fun!

Next: > More Bargain Sources for Furniture

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