Navigating the Flea Market

JUNKERS, ANTIQUERS, TAG SALERS AND VINTAGE DEVOTEES UNITE!

Maybe you want to add a few items to your existing collection of antiques, or you're looking for that "special" item for you newly remodeled room. Whatever the motivation, check out some quick pointers on Flea Marketing!

Across the U.S, some 1,100 flea markets did some $30 billion in business last year, according to the National Flea Market Association. A shaky economy means more people than ever are out trolling the Saturday morning stands hunting for that perfect item at just the right price.

There's also a new generation of shoppers who are embracing the markets' "green" ethos, says Ki Nassauer, editor chief of Flea Market Style magazine. "The demographics are so much younger now, it's 20-year-olds, " Nassuer said. "For them, there's no stigma to 'reuse, renew, recycle'".

How can you get in on getting a good deal? Here are some tips from the pros - vendors, shoppers, collectors - about when to go, what to avoid and the art of haggling.

BE PREPARED: Pack a large bag with measuring tape (for sizing up furniture), newspaper (to wrap delicate items, a camera (more on this later), and cash- lots of cash in small bills. Vendors can offer better treatment and prices to shoppers who make paying easier.

EARLY OR LATE?: If you're looking for the greatest selection, go an hour before the market opens. Good finds at good prices go fast. Why go late? Prices often fall as the day winds down.

BUILD A RAPPORT: Break the ice by asking about the history of an item you want. Ask how the vendor got into the business. And be genuine. Ideally, you want to leave a transaction feeling like something positive happened.

HIT THE ROAD: Treasures are often found where local sellers aren't familiar with the real value of an item. When you go off the beaten path, fewer shoppers mean there's less competition for the sellers.

SMARTPHONE, SMART SHOPPER?: Cellphone cameras have become a great asset, Nassauer says. Pictures are an easy memory aid - and a tool for the on-the-fence shoppers. One warning: Ask the vendor if it's OK to take a picture - some may be touchy about copycats stealing their display ideas.

BE RESPECTFUL: If you have small kids with you, make sure they don't damage a vendor's goods. Also, don't insult sellers about the quality of their offerings. "ninety-nine percent of sellers are really reputable people, " Nassauer says. "treat them the way you want to be treated as a customer".