Vintage Market Packing Checklist For Vendors

You might be surprised to see what vendors need in order to pull off an event – it’s not just inventory! To give you an idea, I am sharing my Vintage Market Packing Checklist.

Before we dive into the checklist, I have an important question to ask you today …

Do you happen to get that tingly feeling of excitement deep in your tummy as you approach a vintage market? You know the one that I am talking about – That feeling of anticipation that begins to bubble up inside as you are driving towards the event and you pull into your parking space and begin to dream about what you may find on your vintage market treasure hunt.

Is it just me?

I’m not quite sure what it is but when I see the canopy of tent tops and all of the little booths set up and packed with great things, I somehow just reach a level of excitement that really makes my heart happy. If you know, you know!

I have been going to antique and vintage markets since I was a small child – honestly. I can remember going with my mom and dad and brother on the weekends when I was a kid and being bored out of my mind, but now as an adult, I adore them.

It wasn’t until I began my very own antique business and began doing vintage/antique markets of my own that I really realized how much work goes into doing these types of events. (You can read about a few of my previous markets here and here.) It is not only a lot of work but it also takes a lot of planning and organization – I have learned that the hard way. With that in mind, today I wanted to touch on a few of the items that I feel you might need to pack up if you were to ever jump in and do an antique/vintage market yourself! While I currently only participate in the bi-annual outdoor Gypsy Junkers Sales here locally to me, I have done Scotts Antique Market up in Atlanta several times in the past as well as a few craft fairs. So, I do have a little experience and I want to share what I have learned.

It goes without saying that when you are loading up to sell at a vintage market, you do need to pack a few more things in addition to just your inventory. I am living this fact first hand right now because I have a vintage market coming up next week – you can read all about the sale that I am doing right here. With that in mind, I am sharing the things that are on my current vintage market packing checklist for the outdoor sale that I have planned on March 18 and 19.

Vintage Market Packing Checklist

Set Up Day

• Tents – to shield yourself and your merchandise from the weather
• Weights for your tents – the wind will carry your tents away, I have seen it happen
• Cleaning Supplies/Rags – to clean off tables, etc., that have been packed in the trailer
• Brushes – to brush off dead grass, debris from items that are being sold
• Tool Box With Basic Tools – to make any minor repairs: hammer, screw drivers, scrapper, nail puller
• Nails – to hang items that you want to display (small nails for pictures/large one for heavier items)
• Wood Shims – to level out pieces of furniture that are on uneven ground and protect from wet grass
• Hay – to spread out in case of rain so that customers do not slip
• Rope – to secure items in and around your booth space
• Plastic Sheeting/Tarp – to cover items from possible rain showers and at night (protect from dew)
• Painters Tape – to tape the plastic
• Extra Tagging Materials – I tag my items at home but always seem to forget to tag a thing or two

Show Day

• Additional Cash – I always start out with a lot of $1’s and $5’s
• Money Apron or Cash Box – I prefer to use an apron to hold my money
• Sold Tags – I use these tags
• Bags – I use these bags
• Packing Paper – I use this packing paper
• Bubble Wrap – I use this bubble wrap
• Business Cards
• Calculator – I just use the calculator on my phone
• Hand Truck – in case someone buys a large piece and they need help moving it
• Empty Boxes – for packing up breakable items like dishes and ironstone
• Extra Inventory – to replace items that have sold

Personal Items

• Chair to sit in
• Sunscreen/Hat
• Rain Coat/Umbrella/Rain boots
• Phone Chargers
• Snacks/Water
• Sanitizer Wipes
• Dress in Layers
• Trash Bags for personal trash and things that customers leave in your booth

Wrap Up

Doing events like this is a lot of fun. There is something that is just so gratifying about taking a completely empty space and filling it with not only cool things to sell, but also filling that empty space with conversation, laughter, discussions, and energy. That is the neatest part in my opinion.

Yes, choosing to sell your wears at an events can be a lot of work. Whether it is at a vintage market, flea market, craft show, antique show, etc… any vendor event takes planning and organization. Having the right supplies and items on hand with you can make things easier. My hope is that sharing my vintage market packing checklist will make it a tad bit easier for you should you ever choose to participate in a show! Thanks so much for tuning in and reading! I appreciate it so much! I hope to see you there at my next show!

Side Note: If you are planning to come and shop, then you may like this post too – How To Shop An Antique Flea Market Like A Pro!

*this Vintage Market Packing Checklist For Vendors post contains affiliate links.