Attending a flea market is overwhelming for some people. This is particularly true if it is a highly active flea market. This flea market business is not for the shy. Flea markets are one of the few places that people still have the real option of haggling even below wholesale. Not only is the haggling okay, it is expected. Many flea market merchants price their products with haggling in mind. If you are not aware of this, then chances are you will pay more than you have to.
Flea market haggling is something that takes a little bit of practice. You can not just walk up to a dealer’s table and start begging for discounts. If you do, then you will not get very good results. The key is to do your research. If you are shopping for an item that is found at several dealer tables, then this gives you something to draw on.
Walk the flea market and get a feel for what you want to buy, and who is selling it. If you find what you want at several places, then note the prices. Once you know what you are going to try to purchase and which dealers are selling it, then you are ready to haggle a little.
The first step is to go to the most expensive table you noted. Make small talk with the dealer and get to know them a little. Just be friendly, and do not just dive right in to the haggling. Once you feel you have a little rapport going with the dealer, then you can ask them what they are asking for the item you are wanting to buy. Even if the price is already on the product, still ask the question. The reason for this is because they will sometimes drop the price right from the beginning. Give them the chance to do so before asking for a discount.
At this point, then you can tell them that you have shopped the tables and that x number of tables are offering the product for sale. Let them know that you are going to get a best price from each of them, and purchase the one that is priced the best. This will immediately draw out their absolute bottom dollar for the product, and keep the haggling civil and to a minimum.
Once you get the best price from them, then repeat this process at each of the other dealer’s tables. This is very important to get the best deal possible. Once you have done this, then purchase the item from the cheapest table. Make sure you go back and thank all the dealers anyway, and explain that you had to take the best deal. This will get you respect for the next time that you shop that flea market. It could pay off in the long run.
If you are trying to buy an item that is only found at one table, you can still haggle the price down a bit. Simply have a price in mind you would like to pay, and then offer it. Have the amount of money in your hand and make sure the dealer sees it. If they see the money, they will be much more inclined to accept it. The reason? Many people haggle just to haggle. They have no intentions of buying. Flea market dealers are very aware of this and so are less likely to deal without seeing the green.
