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Thinking about getting a booth at a flea market/antique store?
Well, it's a little like the children's book If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.
So, let's get started, first thing's first...If you want to start a booth, you'll need:
Well, it's a little like the children's book If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.
So, let's get started, first thing's first...If you want to start a booth, you'll need:
1. Merchandise
The first thing you need to have a booth at an antique store/flea market is stuff to put in it, right? This may seem obvious, but it can be a challenge to keep your booth full. For some people, it is the reason that they want to have a booth, maybe they want to clear out extra items. For others, they just enjoy hunting for the items to fill the booth, and for some people they love the hunt and that's *why* they need to clear out the extra. ;) Spend some time checking out what your item should cost, take into account who will be your customers and the community you will be servicing, then you can better choose what items to take to your booth. Then when you give the booth some merchandise, you will need some...
2. Tags
...tags to go with it!
Tags/tickets let the buyer know how much you are asking for the item. I suggest larger tags 2 1/2 x 5 inches for larger items such as table and chairs, dressers etc... Small tags seem to get lost on these items.
A tag size of 2 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches is a good size for everything else. If you go smaller it becomes hard for the buyers and clerks to read,
thus leaving an opening for dispute.
Write the description, your vendor number and the price very clearly. If it is hard to read there can be confusion on the item or the price. The shop/store needs to be able to read your vendor number so your item can be matched with you so that you get paid.
Also, a short description on the tag is very helpful for two reasons; 1) if the tag should get separated from the item, it will make it easier to match them up and 2) if the tag has been placed on the wrong item. For pricing books, {inexpensive paperbacks} placing a tag over the bar code works well. If it is a table book or hard back, a bookmark with the price, vendor number, and description helps to keep from damaging the book with tape, you could always place a string through the middle and tie it completely around the book and attach the tag to it.
If you are pricing material items such as pillow, quilts, curtains, etc., try using a safety pin to attach the tag to the material.
Attaching prices to paper magazines or newspaper is also best over the label with scotch tape.
Be sure to attach the tags securely to each item.
Tags/tickets let the buyer know how much you are asking for the item. I suggest larger tags 2 1/2 x 5 inches for larger items such as table and chairs, dressers etc... Small tags seem to get lost on these items.
A tag size of 2 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches is a good size for everything else. If you go smaller it becomes hard for the buyers and clerks to read,
thus leaving an opening for dispute.
Write the description, your vendor number and the price very clearly. If it is hard to read there can be confusion on the item or the price. The shop/store needs to be able to read your vendor number so your item can be matched with you so that you get paid.
Also, a short description on the tag is very helpful for two reasons; 1) if the tag should get separated from the item, it will make it easier to match them up and 2) if the tag has been placed on the wrong item. For pricing books, {inexpensive paperbacks} placing a tag over the bar code works well. If it is a table book or hard back, a bookmark with the price, vendor number, and description helps to keep from damaging the book with tape, you could always place a string through the middle and tie it completely around the book and attach the tag to it.
If you are pricing material items such as pillow, quilts, curtains, etc., try using a safety pin to attach the tag to the material.
Attaching prices to paper magazines or newspaper is also best over the label with scotch tape.
Be sure to attach the tags securely to each item.
The next thing you will want in your basket of tricks is...
3. Tape
You will probably want to have different types of tape on hand for different items. Scotch tape is the most widely used and works well on most items. It works best on glass, plastic, and pottery items.
Masking tape works best on wood items.
Also, if the item is being placed outside masking tape tends to stand up to the weather better than Scotch tape.
The best way to attach a tag is no tape, if possible.
Masking tape works best on wood items.
Also, if the item is being placed outside masking tape tends to stand up to the weather better than Scotch tape.
The best way to attach a tag is no tape, if possible.
***Bonus***
Easy way to attach a price tag: Pull the tag through the center of it's string.
4. Pens & Markers
Here at GA, we like the looks of a Sharpie pens writing for the 1 1/2" X 2 1/2" inch tags/tickets. We like to use a black marker for the larger card stock type tags. A good black ink pen works great as well, we just find that the thick gel ink shows up nicely and makes for a more professional looking tag.
5. Measuring Tape
A measuring tape is of great value in the upkeep of a booth, trust us, you'll be shocked at how much you find use for it!
It is used to check spaces in the booth and for loading vehicles. It is used to measure the sizes of items to place that information on the tags/tickets. We get phone calls asking us to measure items all the time; the height and/or length of a dresser or table. The height of the shelves or if they are adjustable. What is the size of the quilt, will that over-sized couch fit in my car, etc... You get the picture.
It is also helpful to know the measurements of common household items, such as beds: Twin size 39" x 75", Full size is 54" x 75", Queen size 60" x 80", King 76" x 80."
Seriously, a good measuring tape is worth it's weight in gold! (Or at least the room it'll take up in your basket/box/purse!)
It is used to check spaces in the booth and for loading vehicles. It is used to measure the sizes of items to place that information on the tags/tickets. We get phone calls asking us to measure items all the time; the height and/or length of a dresser or table. The height of the shelves or if they are adjustable. What is the size of the quilt, will that over-sized couch fit in my car, etc... You get the picture.
It is also helpful to know the measurements of common household items, such as beds: Twin size 39" x 75", Full size is 54" x 75", Queen size 60" x 80", King 76" x 80."
Seriously, a good measuring tape is worth it's weight in gold! (Or at least the room it'll take up in your basket/box/purse!)
6. Duster & Paper Towels
We all know that Flea Markets are known for being dusty and dirty, there just seems to be something about all of this "old stuff" that oozes dust. This doesn't have to be true, however! We dust and clean items and areas, all. the. time. We sweep and vacuum, especially when we are changing around a booth. And since rust seems to sell right now, and it leaves a trail wherever it goes, there's some more dirt that needs swept up on a regular basis!
It can definitely be worth the effort though! I have dusted pieces that have set for quite some time and soon after, that new shine or luster caught the attention of a buyer.
Also! Polishing that silver can make all the difference. If it's not selling tarnished, try polishing it! That may be just the push someone needs to buy that piece they've been eyeballing!
Sure, that mirror may be peeling but, that doesn't mean that the rest of it shouldn't sparkle like a Windex commercial! I would be hard pressed to count the number of people who have expressed to us how much they appreciate the cleaner environment that we strive to keep!
In saying this though, don't stress too much about it! Cobwebs show character, right? Oh, maybe not.
It can definitely be worth the effort though! I have dusted pieces that have set for quite some time and soon after, that new shine or luster caught the attention of a buyer.
Also! Polishing that silver can make all the difference. If it's not selling tarnished, try polishing it! That may be just the push someone needs to buy that piece they've been eyeballing!
Sure, that mirror may be peeling but, that doesn't mean that the rest of it shouldn't sparkle like a Windex commercial! I would be hard pressed to count the number of people who have expressed to us how much they appreciate the cleaner environment that we strive to keep!
In saying this though, don't stress too much about it! Cobwebs show character, right? Oh, maybe not.
7. Hangers
The picture above shows a few ideas of how to hang items in your booth. It all depends on the type of wall that you're working with. Peg board is a nice way to present smaller items. The drapery hanger works so well on chicken wire type walls. We also used floral wire for hanging items. These are just a few to get you started, let your creativity shine through! Hanging things up on the walls gives you a way to create height and draw people's eye up to the things on the top of your booth.
***Bonus***
Impromptu "hanger" for flea market booth when you don't have wire, etc. on hand!
8. Goo-Gone & Razorblade
This is to try to save you from some embarrassing situations; please always remove the ticket that shows how much *you* payed for an item, from the item! You may have gotten a bargain on that vintage bowl and believe that you can sell it for $15.00, but if your $2.00 sticker is still on the bottom of the item, we have to honor that price. Goo Gone works wonderful in getting old price tags and writing off of dishes and other plastic/glass items. The razor blade is also great for removing stickers. If the dirt is really stubborn, goo gone and the razor blade together should do the trick!
9. Tools
You never know when you will need that hammer, nails, or hanger to hang a picture. The scissors come in handy for removing tags, especially if you are marking items down and want to replace their tags, it can really save you some time if you cut the tag instead of untying it.
10. Staging Props
These are staging items. They are not necessary, but they sure are helpful!
If everything's at the same height, that means the items in the back will most likely get overlooked-add some height!
You can also use props to show an idea for how the item can be used, present its use in a new way, etc.! All of these things add up to help your items catch the attention of the customer.
That concludes our "Top 10" list for today, I'm sure it'll keep growing and changing as time goes on! Go get yourself a booth and sell those extra items laying around the house or enjoy the thrill of the hunt for a bargain!
Just remember,
having a booth is a business and if you want to make money
you have to work at it...
Change the items to new spots at least every two weeks and give the booth a complete overhaul as often as possible, when things look different, those frequent shoppers will be more inclined to give everything a once over again!
More frequent shoppers+more frequent thorough searches of your booth
=more frequent sales for you!
We definitely don't have all the answers and we would love to hear your advice and suggestions, but we do hope this can be a help to you!
So, what would you put on your "Top 10" list?
Leave us a comment below!
If everything's at the same height, that means the items in the back will most likely get overlooked-add some height!
You can also use props to show an idea for how the item can be used, present its use in a new way, etc.! All of these things add up to help your items catch the attention of the customer.
That concludes our "Top 10" list for today, I'm sure it'll keep growing and changing as time goes on! Go get yourself a booth and sell those extra items laying around the house or enjoy the thrill of the hunt for a bargain!
Just remember,
having a booth is a business and if you want to make money
you have to work at it...
Change the items to new spots at least every two weeks and give the booth a complete overhaul as often as possible, when things look different, those frequent shoppers will be more inclined to give everything a once over again!
More frequent shoppers+more frequent thorough searches of your booth
=more frequent sales for you!
We definitely don't have all the answers and we would love to hear your advice and suggestions, but we do hope this can be a help to you!
So, what would you put on your "Top 10" list?
Leave us a comment below!
-The GA Gang
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