This is the most extensive guide on Flea marketing. In this guide, you would learn everything on how to sell or buy in a flea market.
This guide contains a ton of sub-categories and information which includes:
- Why is it called a flea market?
- What sells at a flea market?
- How do I become a vendor at a flee market?
- What is the difference between a flea market and a yard sale?
- How to get a permit for a flea market
- Flea marketing insider selling tips
Let us go into the article proper.
Why is it called a flea market?
Another name for a flea market is swap meet. This is a kind of street market where spaces are provided for sellers to sell items or merchandise they previously owned.
In the past when this kind of markets popped up, they were usually on a short term basis. Things have changed now and vendors can get spaces with long-term leases and a seasonal-style market with short-term leases.
The key difference between a flea market and street vending is that it is purely the market alone that brings in customers and not any other side attraction.
There are two types of vendors at the flea market. The one that does it part-time as a form of hobby and others who have dedicated stalls and merchandise that they use for full time living.
They key traits of vendors in a flea market is that they can identify several retro and vintage trends which would match the identity and culture preference of the customer.
The National Association of Flea Markets were established in the US in 1997.
Different names for flea market according to country
Even in some English speaking countries, they have other names for flea markets. In Australia, they are know as ‘trash and treasure markets’.
In Philippines english, they are called tianggê. In India they are called gurjari or shrukawadi bazaar.
In the UK they are called “car boot sales” when the market is on the fields and the vendors sell out of their trunks. If the market is held indoors like a hall or church , it is called a “bring and sell” or jumble sell.
It is called Marché aux puces in France and Quebec. Also called “Flohmarkt” in Germany which literally translates to Flea market.
In Chile, they are called mercados persa which translates to Persian market.
What sells at a flea market?
These are the items that sell really well at a flea market:
- Smalls: These are the really small stuffs that most people would call knick knacks. Majority of the time, it is these small items that do really well. So when making your flea marketing business plan, they should be at the top of your list. Some of the most popular smalls includes: a miniature tea pot, a little wooden chair, a ceramic small doll etc.
- Jewelry: This is one of the fastest moving items at a flea market. Even broken jewelry are bought by jewellery makers and fixers. If you want to become a full time flea marketer, you can buy jewelry from Aliexpress.com and sell at your booth.
- Holiday decor: During festive periods, you can make a lot of profit selling holiday decorations. Display items at your store according to the season – lights and ornaments during Christmas and eggs for Easter time.
- Vintage items: Beautiful vintage items, mirrors and jewelry at the flea market goods.These days, items that give off old and rustic vibes are the in thing. If you have any vintage items like an old typewriter or vintage telephone, display it at your booth. You would be sure to get a buyer soon.
- Small furniture: People really dig small furniture whether it a vintage furniture or a fairly used furniture. If you have stools, ottoman or small shelves you are no longer using, you can sell them.
- Toys: Toys are a classic product that causes impulse buys. Place them around a kids height at your booth and you would see children begging their parents to get them one.
These are the items that do not do well at a flea market
- Crafts: Crafts do not really do well at a flea market. People aren’t usually inclined to buy your handmade necklaces and embroidery.
- Big money items: People come to flea markets because they do not want to spend big money. The number one rule of flea marketing is, the smaller the price, the more you sell.
- Board games and puzzles: They don’t really do well unless they are vintage.
How do I become a vendor at a flee market?
These are the steps you would need to take before you can become a flea market vendor:
1. Register for a sales certificate
The kind of sales certificate you would need is different in every state and country.
One important thing you should have before applying for one is a sales or tax permit with your state’s Tax Department. This would allow you to charge sale’s tax on your items.
2. Find out where the nearby flea markets are
There might be several flea markets around you. Use one weekend to scout all the markets around you and find the one that best suits the kind of items you want to sell.
3. Find out how much it cost to rent a booth
Every flea market would ask you to pay for space or booth, although this price varies from place to place. Be proactive and find out the prices before hand. Some would have a daily or monthly rate. If you plan on doing this for long, the monthly rate is the best for you.
4. Decide where your booth would be
Scouting all the flea markets close to you would help you to chose the best spot before you start selling officially. Some spots receive more traffic than others, those are the areas you want to be at.
5. Register for your booth
Once you’ve decided the flea market you want to do the business, register for a booth and secure your own space. Some flea markets would allow you to register in advance while others deal on a first-come-first serve basis.
6. Get your inventory
Make sure that you have enough inventory stocked up so that you don’t fall short of items to sell. Ensure that you also have interesting items up for sale.
7. Calculate prices
It is important that you calculate prices so that you can make profit on your inventory. Remember though the first rule of flea marketing i told you earlier in this article – the smaller the price, the more you sell.
8. Put price tags on your items
It is important that you tag your items so that you won’t forget the prices that you initially set for your items.
9. Take multiple forms of payment
Do not limit yourself to only cash. You can make use of apps or a POS machine to easily make sales.
What is the difference between a flea market and a yard sale?
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary;
Yard Sale – a sale of used furniture, clothing, etc., held at the seller’s home.
Flea Market – a usually outdoor market in which old and used goods are sold.
Yard sales consists of locals primarily selling items in their yards.
For a yard sale, the sellers are not required to obtain a business license or a sales tax unlike a seller at a flea market.
The biggest motivation for a yard sales is spring cleaning. The items are displayed in front of the sellers house for passersby to purchase.
How to get a permit for a flea market
Some of the permits and license that you would need to operate in a flea market might take some time to be processed, so it is important that you start early.
It is important that you apply for these license before you start selling at the flea market.
The reasons you need a permit is so that you can purchase items at wholesale prices as a vendor and retail them.
Research state and local laws
If you plan to regularly sell products at a flea market, you will likely need multiple licenses and permits to remain in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
You would first need a business license from the state you plan to sell the products in.
You would need a resale certificate from your home state so that you can purchase things at wholesale prices without paying task.
Investigate flee market policies
Some flee markets are very strict concerning the kind of items you can sell there. Make your research before you book a spot.
They also have standard appearances on how your booth should look like. Make your research before getting started.
If you also plan on selling items that you bought from another vendor, make sure you bring invoices and proof of payment to the flee market.
Flea Marketing Insider Selling Tips
You sell more by providing various payment options:
Flea market users have a huge variety of payment preferences. You would make more money if you can meet every of those individual needs.
Create a Facebook page
You should treat your flea market business like an actual business. Try and create an online presence.Give your booth a professional business name, add some photos and create a nice Facebook page.
Advertise in advance and sell more
You can make more profit if you advertise on social media the exact flea market and booth you would be at along with the kind of inventory you would be displaying.
Be open to reasonable offers
While you might already have price tags on your inventories, be also open to haggling by customers. As long as their price is reasonable, you can sell to them. You create more customers that way.
You sell more when you stand out from the crowd
Try to do something different from the other vendors. If you are unique, people would navigate towards you naturally. Use a brightly colored canopy, spend some money on some decorative signs etc. Make your booth look catchy and you would sell more.
Give discounts
If you have a customer that purchases a particular item for you regularly, it would be nice to give them a collectors discount.
You sell more by selling at the same flea market
Finally in the flea marketing guide, you would make a lot of profit and develop a loyal customer base if you sell at the same flea market instead of changing location regularly. Maintaining a consistent location would allow your customers to find you whenever they are ready to make a purchase.