How To Shop An Antique Flea Market Like A Pro

Have you ever wondered how to shop an antique flea market like a pro? I am sharing all of the best flea market shopping tips with you all right here!

As you may know by now, I love a good shopping trip. I especially love the ones that involve shopping for vintage and antiques! Recently, I spent the day at Scotts Antique Market and I enjoyed a pretty cool day of vintage shopping! I enjoy sharing these trips with you all (for example, not too long ago I shared my top 5 finds from a recent Scotts visit here) and today I am excited to share my tips that may help a shopping trip like this more enjoyable for YOU. Antique Flea Markets are so much fun but they can be a little overwhelming to some. My hope is that by sharing my best tips on how to shop an antique flea market like a pro you can have a successful and exciting shopping experience.

When I was a little girl, my parents would drag me to a monthly antique flea market at the old Lakewood fair grounds just south of Atlanta. This market was packed with so many old and interesting things each month and my parents loved to shop for unique antiques for their home. I can remember the monthly experience vividly – from the layout of the buildings to the smell of the food court – the experience was part of my childhood.

Sadly, Old Lakewood closed long ago, but I am still lucky enough to have a monthly antique flea market less then an hour from my home. I have been been to Scotts Antique Flea Market many, many, many times over the years and I have even set up there as a vendor too. Scotts Antique Market is a really cool monthly market located in the metro Atlanta area! It is made up of two huge buildings and an outdoor area as well. Antique markets such as Scotts can be so much fun – if you know what to do! I feel like I have learned a trick or two over the years and I am excited to share my tips for how to shop an antique flea market with you all!

Be Prepared Before You Leave Home

• You want to dress in comfortable clothes and plan for the weather ahead.
• Pack rain gear if needed and dress in layers if needed too.
• Bring sunscreen if it’s going to be hot and if you will be outside.
• Wear comfortable shoes because you will likely be on your feet all day.
• Bring snacks in case you get hungry and water to drink – there may not be a lot of food options.
• Pack things from home like a small flashlight and a measuring tape just in case you need them while you are digging at the flea market.
• Bring shopping bags, a shopping cart, or even a collapsable wagon to hold all of your items.
• You may want to look at a map (online) of the layout of the antique flea market before you get there so that you can be familiar with the layout of the event.

Go Early

I like to arrive at an antique market as early as possible so that I can hunt for the best deals. If you can get there early and beat the other shoppers then you will have a wider selection of things to look at. However, I can speak from experience, these markets are usually so jam packed with things that you are likely to find a treasure (and a deal) no matter what time you get there.

Hit The Dealers You Like First And Then Go Back

Usually with just a quick glance, I can spot the dealers that sell things that I am drawn to. I like to shop those booths first (I want to make sure I scoop up the things that I came for) and then I go back and walk the entire market and shop all the dealers.

Take Pictures

There are some things that I buy at these markets upon first glance because they are no-brainers for me. Other times, I see things that I would love to have but I am just not quite sure if I should buy them – mainly because I am trying to stay within my budget. When this happens, I usually take my phone out and snap a picture of it and then I will walk away. I realize that I am taking a chance that it won’t be there if I decided that I do want it – but it is a chance that I am willing to take. After waiting a bit, I will review my pictures and go back to get the item if I just can’t live without. This helps me to decided if I REALLY want to bring it home.

Bring Cash

Many dealers prefer cash and if you can pay in cash you may just be able to get a better deal! Consider bringing smaller bills too because some dealers aren’t able to make change easily – especially at the start of a show. Also, paying in cash is faster so you are able to move on to the next dealer a little more quickly this way!

Circle Around An Extra Time Or Two

I always like to walk the flea market at least twice. Typically, dealers will shuffle around (or even add to) their booth spaces as they begin to sell items. This means that you may see something on your second pass that you may have missed the first time around. I always walk through an extra time or two as the day goes on and I have found some of my most favorite things that way.

Look Up, Down, And All Around

Don’t forget to scan the flea market booths from every angle. I look on the ground for items that may have been ‘put there’ from other shoppers. I look in packed cabinets or on shelves for things that may have been shoved behind something else. I like to dig in boxes that may not yet be unpacked. I like to look up incase there is something cool hanging from the ceiling. You just never know what you are going to find – and I love the thrill of the hunt. Spending a little extra time doing these things may help you find a great treasure that you otherwise may have missed.

Inspect Your Finds Before Buying

Before you spend your money on something, make sure you have looked it over once or twice. Items at these antique flea markets are not always in mint condition and you just want to make sure that you know what you are getting. For example, I have bought things that I thought were perfect and when I got them home – they were not! I have made some mistakes over the years… mainly because I was moving too quickly. Take some time to look at your items carefully before purchasing and don’t be afraid to ask the dealer about an item too. Remember, there usually isn’t a return policy! Some things to look out for include:

• cracks and chips in fragile items
• mold growing
• broken furniture pieces (drawers, wobbly legs, etc)
• items rusted through
• pages of books falling out

NOTE: Be on the lookout for reproductions. Just because something is at an antique flea market does not mean that it is truly old.

Go Back On The Last Day

If you can, try to go back on the last day of the show. Especially in the final hours, some dealers may be ready to make killer deals. Some dealers may not want to ‘drag all of their inventory back home,” so they may really drop the prices on some things. Negotiating is alright to do, especially on the last day, but just do it with respect. Questions like, “Would you consider this amount?” and “What is your best price?” are kind ways of asking. You may just find more success with negotiating prices on the last day of the sale.

NOTE: You may consider leaving your phone number with a dealer in case he or she wants to accept your best offer on a piece. A dealer may not want to accept a lower offer on the first or second day of a show but by the last day they may consider it. Again, sometimes a dealer may not want to take all of their things home and if they can contact you to discuss your best offer then you may just get the piece you want for the price you are comfortable with!

Don’t Pass It Up

If you really love something, then just get it. These things are usually one-of-a kind. You do not want to have any regrets!

Wrap Up

There ya have it my friends – now that you know how to shop an antique flea market like a pro and you are now ready to shop your hearts out! From the Round Top antique show in Texas to the Brimfield antique show in Massachusetts to the Mount Dora antique show in Florida, there are so many exciting antique flea markets out there. Happy hunting to each of you my friends!