Be your own boss and operate
your own business.
We can help you with everything you need to
set up shop.
Are you stuck in a boring dead end job
going no where or on a fixed income
and live paycheck to paycheck and never seem to get out of debt?
Do any of the following describe your
current condition?
- Do you have a dead end job with no
potential for advancement, or are you constantly afraid of
downsizing?
- Do you live paycheck to paycheck?
- Do you live on a fixed income that
never covers your expenses?
- Whatever your income level, do you
always come up short of money at the end of every month and
can never afford to pay all your bills?
- Are you unemployed?
- Do you desire any of the following:
nice vacation; new car or house; extra money for you or a
child’s education, or simply to help someone in need or your
favorite charity?
- Do you have a strong desire to be your
own boss, and live a better life?
If any or all of the previous statements
describes your current situation, there is good news – you can
change all that by becoming a flea market vendor and becoming
your own boss by taking control of your financial situation.
You don’t even have to leave the security of your current job.
If you love bargaining, wheeling and
dealing, and enjoy meeting and talking to people, then becoming
a flea market vendor is perfect for you.
Selling at a flea market is very easy and,
by far, one of the best ways to start a business that has
immediate access to thousands of customers.
By becoming a flea market vendor, you can establish a good
primary or secondary income with almost no overhead expense.
Many vendors make hundreds to thousands of
dollars every month. This has allowed many of them to quit their
regular “9 to 5” jobs and become their own boss and control
their own destiny.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
Getting started as a flea market vendor is
easy. The hardest part is loading your vehicle and getting up
early the morning of opening day. First, you need to decide how
much space you will need. I recommend visiting the flea market
to see how other vendors set up and display their products /
items. Second, decide if your items will be better displayed
outside on your own tables or under a tent, or will your items
be better under the flea market’s shed, on their tables. Weather
may also be a determining factor. Feel free to talk to the flea
market management. The management can be a lot of help in
choosing the type of rental space. Third, don’t wait until the
last minute to reserve your space. The market will usually have
a space for every one; however, on busy weekends the market may
be completely full and vendors who fail to reserve a space will
have no where to set up.
WHERE DO I FIND ITEMS TO SELL?
Beginning your new venture is easy. Most
vendors start by selling their own unwanted items. First, clean
out your garage or attic. Check with your neighbors and then
your relatives for items they don’t need or want anymore. Don’t
forget – “one person’s junk is another person’s treasure”.
These items can be very profitable. Next, check the newspaper
for bargains, auctions, yard-sales, or store close-outs. Visit
the flea market office and request vendor trade magazines, which
provide wholesale items and close-outs that are sold to vendors
only. There are many mailing lists that all vendors should be
on that list current auctions and sales. Visit dealers late in
the day and offer a low price for their remaining items. Some
vendors do not want to pack items and haul them back home. They
will sometimes sell their items at huge discounts or even give
them away. Ask the manager of the flea market if they
have a copy of the East Coast Merchandiser. If not go to
www.fleamarketzone.com
and ask them for a copy.
HOW DO I ATTRACT BUYERS?
The key to successful sales is a good
display that is attractive and interesting. People usually
don’t come to flea markets looking for something in particular;
therefore, your booth should encourage impulse buying at an
attractive price. Some of my favorites are a very old antique
piece or an interesting statue. Remember, it doesn’t have to be
for sale – you just want to attract potential buyers. Another
good idea is to have a bargain table where everything is 25
cents. Use a big sale sign or balloons – anything to get people
to your booth. Shoppers sometimes need to know how much of a
bargain they are getting. For example, if you are selling a
hammer for $2.00 and you can find a newspaper ad from a discount
store where their hammers are $5.00, cut it out and display it
next to your hammers. Show them how much they are saving by
doing business with you. Also, for a small fee, Selma Flea
Market office will advertise your sale items over the flea
market intercom system.
WHEELING AND DEALING
Never forget you’re at a flea market – the
last of the free enterprise system. Prices are always
negotiable. The main reason people come to flea markets is
because they can negotiate prices or even offer trades. That’s
right; the barter system is still alive at the flea market. If
someone really wants a particular item but for whatever reason
cannot pay your asking price, they may offer you a trade. If
you are a savvy dealer, you may counter their offer with a
discounted cash deal plus their offer. This is why I love flea
markets. You could never negotiate this kind of deal at discount
stores. I recommend that everyone bargains, even if it’s just a
little. It is part of the flea market tradition. If someone
appears interested in an item and begins to walk away simply
tell them “if you really like the item make me an offer”, or
offer to give them a discount. You will be surprised at how
many people return and give you an acceptable offer. Finally,
smile and have a friendly greeting. Don’t be afraid to talk to
people who come to your booth to browse. One of the great
delights of visiting a flea market is the unique discussions and
conversations that you can have with interesting people.
Working at a flea market is fun!
HOW MUCH SHOULD I CHARGE?
You must keep in mind that flea market
shoppers are constantly searching and expecting to negotiate a
“super deal”, so your merchandise should be below retail price.
There are several methods that vendors use in determining their
prices, but keep in mind it all depends on the actual cost the
dealer incurs in getting the items initially. Most vendors try
to at least double their price that they paid for used items.
One important point is to always price your items. Often
customers will not ask for the price of an unmarked item. Also,
travel to other markets to see how similar items are priced.
Don’t forget, if someone is interested in an item, ask them to
make you an offer.
DO I NEED A PERMIT OR LICENSE?
Like all gathering places, we must have a
few rules. Ask for a copy at the office.
If you are just an occasional vendor, you
are not required to have any type of permit or license.
However, if you are a full time dealer, you may be required to
have a peddlers permit for the county you are selling in and,
like any business you should pay taxes on a percentage of your
income. We recommend calling the license department in the
county which you are selling in.
ONE MORE BIT OF ADVICE
Treat your booth like a real business.
Keep inventory. Keep up with sales. Set income goals and try to
meet those goals. If you keep your sales goals in your head,
you will always make that extra effort to talk to one more
customer, stay that extra hour, or try to find one more item to
sell, in order to meet that goal.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Becoming a flea market vendor is one of the
easiest and least expensive full or part-time business to be in.
There is nothing tricky or hard in this business, all you need
is a desire to earn money and the ability to work with a diverse
group of people, and you are on your way. There are no long
term contracts. You can set up every week, once a month, or any
time you want. Plus, you can take off any time you want!
Finally, YOU WILL BE YOUR OWN BOSS!
To get started, call Jerry Stokes today
at: 704-535-8119, or email;
jstokes4@carolina.rr.com for more information or if you
want a website.
Thanks.