What I Learned Over a Year of Selling at Flea Markets
A photo of me smiling at the Now and Then market sometime in the summer of 2021.
As a vintage devotee and an online seller, I’ll be the first to tell you that trends and brands do matter, especially on platforms like Poshmark (where the majority of my inventory was listed in early 2020). I added Etsy, eBay, Depop, and my Shopify site to my repertoire, but in November 2020 I saw a local salvage shop looking for vendors for a sidewalk sale, and I took my chances on a space. The fee was $40, and I had no idea what or how much I might need to fill a 10x10 space (the standard size at flea markets), but looking for a way to supplement online sales, I figured the cost was worth the experience and I jumped in head first.
I looked for information that might help me prepare online, but it was sparse and hard to come by so in this post I’ll outline some things I learned, some mistakes I made, and supplies you might need if you’re planning on becoming a market vendor.
1. Not all markets are created equal
This is maybe the most important thing I’ve learned and the hardest to teach a newbie. When you’re first starting, the idea of investing nearly $200 on a space at a more well known market seems like a bad idea, and it truthfully might be depending on where you are in your business.
I have paid as little as $10 and as much as $185 for a 10x10 space at a flea market. Some markets are curated and others less so, but it all depends on what you’re trying to sell, who you want to reach, and what your goal for the market is.
The more expensive markets usually do more advertising for the event, have been established for several years, and could have more extensive rules or requirements in place. Just because it’s pricier though, does not mean you’ll be rolling in the dough when the curtains close. I’ve paid top dollar for a space and still only made a couple hundred bucks. Weather and marketing play a big part in how the event will go! If you’re just getting started, setting up a table or a rack down the block at a neighborhood shop might be worth trying for the experience and exposure, even if you don’t think you’ll make very much.
Meeting local sellers and getting to know what markets they like doing might help give you a better idea about what to do for next time. Do your research, try new things. Some of this comes with experience, but with each market you try, you’ll learn something new.
2. Buy a wagon!
Speaking of paying for experience, I’ll start this one with a story.
After a few markets where I was able to just drive into my spot and unload from my trunk, I finally had an event scheduled that required on street parking. This might seem like a small detail, but this particular May day, I had never been to the market location before, and found myself unprepared. Once I found my parking spot, I had to carry my belongings down the street to the park enterance, and down a grassy knoll where I needed to set up. For a jewelry vendor, this might sound like no problem, but my set up required three clothing racks, all the clothes for said racks, a table, some baskets of home goods, and my chair for the day. I not only broke several things and put my racks through the ringer rolling down the unpaved, broken sidewalk (Philly, amirite?), but it took me twice as long to get set up and ready on a very hot day.
While on my second or third trip back to the car, I saw another vendor (shoutout to Lisa @tigersnakevintage) with a wagon who clearly knew was she was doing and came prepared. I had never thought of buying one, and soon after this market that’s exactly what I did.
The wagon I purchased was the MacSports Extended Wagon and cost around $130. I used my rewards from the Fetch App, to get some money off at Target when I was ready to buy. It has been a lifesaver for me and has gotten use while sourcing at Brimfield, unloading at my storage unit, and even at the beach with family among so many other occasions.
3. Accept all forms of payment
This might seem like a no brainer, but I see so many sellers who say they only accept Venmo or Paypal friends and family to avoid fees. Not only is that a bit sketchy to ask of a stranger, but the fees are the cost of doing business. Raise your prices to account for possible fees, and set yourself up to accept ALL forms of payment to make it supremely easy for your buyers to buy. I can speak from personal experience when I say I have lost sales because I didn’t accept credit cards at the time.
I personally have myself set up with the following for a market: Venmo Business, Paypal, CashApp, Square, and of course, cash. I usually bring about $50 in singles, fives, and tens for cash change.
4. Be friendly, be open, and talk to everyone!
As mentioned before, there’s a variety of markets and you’ll find a range in the kinds of buyers you come by at each. I’ve had buyers on the same day ask why items were priced so low, and also try to barter down from a $10 price tag. It’s all a part of the experience, and the decorum for each market might be different.
I have my meter for what a “good” day is, and it isn’t always financial. While at Greenpoint Terminal Market, a day that I still tell stories about, I would’ve initially said the juice was not worth the squeeze. I had to get a hotel room, pay over $150 to vend at the space, and it was ghastly humid and pouring rain on an off throughout the day. The wind knocked my neighbors tent into oblivion. (WOO, what a day) But, then I met Kayli, owner of Earth & Me, Queens’ first zero waste store. She had a booth close by for Queens Collaborative at the same market. We chatted briefly, but months later she asked me to join her in selling vintage at her newest store location. I’m still thrilled and amazed at the highs and lows that just one day brought.
5. Price to sell.
I’m sure some other vendors’ opinions would vary on this, but my bottom line every time, is a piece is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. As a seller, of course, I check comps and price accordingly online, but is Jane Doe walks up and offers me $35 on a $40 blouse, I’m taking it. If Joe Schmo is offering me to bundle 20 pieces for a discount, I’m all ears. I’m never offended by a low ball offer, because people are just trying to make a deal. It’s all about what you’re personally willing to accept, and regardless of your emotions, you can always say no! Personally, I’m not in the storage business, and will always be willing to make deals on items I sell in person. I would always prefer a piece find the a good home than be locked away in my storage unit for another 30 days.
PACKING LIST
10x10 tent - the one I use is white with white walls that velcro on and off in case of rain! It also came with weight bags which come in handy on windy days. Some markets require white tents and sand bags so the bundle is a sweet deal overall!
Sand or rocks - for the weight bags which can be found at your local hardware store
Clothing racks - I found mine on Amazon, Facebook Marketplace at at estate sales. The kind you buy should be sturdy enough that a gust of wind won’t blow them away! These are some of the ones I bought (both standard and large).
Table & Chair- for me a 4ft table worked just fine for a while, but I eventually found an antique wood ironing board to be a bit better for display and my own needs; use whatever works or none! For the chair I have a fold up camp chair or a slatted Terje Ikea chair.
Signage - I had an old picture frame & wrote my business name on a piece of paper that I wrote. Eventually I wanted something a bit bigger, and bought a letter board. I’ve also seen people use printed banners, hanging signs, and painted wood sandwich signs.
Mirror - I bought this hanging mirror from Target and tied some cord to the back to hang it on the end of a clothing rack.
Garment Bags - I have these garment bags and a bunch of DIMPA Ikea bags. Both work well for transporting clothes with the hangers attached & can be easily tucked away during markets.
SOME EXTRAS
Rugs & Tablecloth / Large Swaths of Fabric - Rugs & fabric are useful for added warmth to the display, but especially when I have dresses or jumpsuits that hang to the ground, they won’t get dirty rolling around! They also help keep racks with wheels in place on flat concrete. The pieces I use were thrifted!
Additional small tables
Crates - used to transport small items, but they help keep things off the ground!
Shopping Bags - Varying sizes. You can order these online and save bags from your day to day life.
Extra hangers
Fanny Pack
Portable Charger
If you found this valuable, I’d love to hear from you! Send me a DM on Instagram and let me know your thoughts or if you would add something to this list!
