Flea market dealers kept their stock in garages for more than a year. They took advantage of the push to de-clutter we all felt, so the STOCK for the fleas will be fabulous this Spring. I predict some major treasures out there.
THE PRACTICAL TIPS
Bring cash, but don’t carry cash in your purse. Hide it in your bra. First, cash payments MIGHT be discounted (ask). Not all dealers take credit cards. Secondly, thieves like crowds.- Know the dimensions of your hatch-back. Bring a tape measure, rope, and/or bungees, and take a few big trash bags for use as wrapping or a raincoat. Bring three tote bags.
- Take the dealer’s name and number if you buy. You might like his kind of stuff or might ask questions later. Also, this kind of personal touch keeps a dealer honest.
- Park close if you can but take a picture of your location anyway. Once I lost a car for about a week.
THE IMPRACTICAL
Follow the Force. When you approach a market, ask IT where you should go FIRST. Let the Force choose your starting point. There is something to beginner’s luck.- At a stall, look in places no one is looking. If folks are looking down, look up. If folks are looking at the walls, look at the floor. I once found a great painting under a table.
- Shopping for furniture? Measure your room. (see Comment 11. below!)
- Wear tight leggings if shopping for clothing. Don’t buy anything that smells. If you have purchased something that the moths like, put that in your trash bag and stick it in your freezer back home for a few days.
- Too many people research on their phones in front of a busy market stall. Use your GUT. Time, and another buyer may swoop while you snoop. You KNOW what you like anyway.
Forget about your ‘color’ scheme, and your typical design ideas. Those are so ‘Pandemic’. Each object has a story; listen to the story. Discover something new about your tastes.- When buying a piece for a specific location such as a painting or piece of furniture, remember it will NEVER end up in that location. SO, love it for itself or don’t buy.
- When you love something and don’t know why you do, ask IT. If you don’t know what something IS, ask IT.
- Don’t make the FIRST offer. A negotiation is three or six statements between two people. You want to be the one who says the final price, not the dealer: It should go like this “what is your best price, dealer?” “I need to get $25.” “I think you’re reasonable, but could you see your way to $20?” You state the result YOU want, LAST. Also, remember to compliment the object during the process; don’t tear it DOWN.
- For art and furniture: Look for GOOD LINES. The frame, the finish, and even the condition is repairable.
- For ceramics and glass, however, check that there are NO condition issues. Put it down if it doesn’t “ring true,” which means when you tap it, it has a RING.
Regional Flea Markets Open this Spring:
Ventura Fair Grounds Wednesday Swap Meet- Ventura College Swap Meet
- Lompoc Swap Meet
- Saturday Santa Barbara High School Flea Market
- Thursday Santa Barbara Flea Market
- Santa Barbara Swap Meet and Goleta Public Market
- Maclins Paso Robles Open Air Market
- San Luis Obispo Sunset Drive In Theater Swap meet
- Santa Maria Hi-Way Drive in Swap Meet
If you travel to go to fleas see Flea-USA.com.
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