posted on August 29, 2000 12:05:21 PM
I've been ebaying off and on for a couple years now, and trying to make ends meet I decided to try the flea market scene. There is one about an hour from where I live the first Sunday of every month. So....here I am looking around the apartment for stuff I didn't want - went to rummage sales and picked up stuff and also to an auction. I got to the flea market at 6:30 a.m. and there were already vendors there - I guess a lot of them get there at 3:00 a.m. to set up. Well, I'm feeling kinda silly - just pulling up in my little car and dragging out the two card tables and unloading my "treasures" outa my trunk. Since I've always been on the other side of the fence looking for a bargain, I played the game and bargained with people - but what kills me is this woman was looking at a Harley Davidson t-shirt that I had - not a thing wrong with it except it had a smudge of dust on it from being in the trunk. I told her I would take 2 bucks for it - she says, "Well........I dunno........it's got some dirt on it"...Jeesh!! It was just a little dust from the trunk! Maybe she wanted me to take it to the cleaners and then give it to her! Now at least I'm seeing both sides of this buyer-seller situation and I see now how much work is involved in getting stuff ready to go, hauling it, etc. Now when I go to a flea market myself to browse, I can feel for some of these sellers who have to deal with people wanting to get get something for nothing.
posted on August 30, 2000 07:33:23 PM
Hope the rest of your experience went well! Fleas markets can be a lot of fun, I have met some nice people. I heard a good one that I cannot wait to use; When someone asks if I will take 50 cents for my item marked 75 cents, because its got a chip, or a dent or...Just look at them and say, if it's chipped, dented...then why do you want it? I WILL NOT bargain on an item marked 75 cents, I mean come on...
posted on August 30, 2000 09:03:19 PM
lorndav - I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who feels this way. I was going down in price with everything I had because I know that's what people expect at a flea market. But when it comes to an item less than a buck, jeesh!! I like that idea - if they want me to go down in price on something less than a dollar because of some flaw, then they don't want it that bad anyway. I mean, it's not like they're shopping at a fancy antique store or something....it's a flea market!
posted on August 31, 2000 01:56:14 AM
The one question that used to get me going was "Is that your best price?".
If the item was marked at say $10.00 I'd reply "No. My best price is $50.00 but today is be nice day. Thats why for today only you can buy it for $10.00".
Usually worked!
posted on August 31, 2000 04:52:31 AM
Years ago I tried selling at flea markets. I'd go and set up only every six months or so, after I'd accumlilated a large pile of stuff to sell. I was a novice flea market seller.
On about my second time I had this very nice, slightly used lawn mower that I wanted 65.00 for. Some guy comes by and tells me a sob story about how he really wants it. He needs it for his home but only has 40.00 to spend. He works on me with his story and I've got a soft heart at times. I let him have it for the 40.00.
Well, you've probably already guessed...
A while later I walked around a little bit, and here's this same dude with a bunch of lawn mowers and stuff set out, and there's "my" lawn mower for sale for 75.00.
So, who was the bigger a**. Him or me?
[ edited by loosecannon on Aug 31, 2000 04:58 AM ]
posted on August 31, 2000 05:38:49 AM
Before you answer that, I forgot to say that I did tell this "gentleman" exactly what I thought of him. Got in his face.
