Barely a weekend goes by without a flea market visit for Terry Grahl, a Detroit-based interior designer and flea-market fanatic. She shops for her nonprofit work decorating women's shelters and to add to her own vintage linen collection. But when she wants a real steal, Grahl avoids the flea market and heads to garage sales, rummage sales and thrift stores instead. Flea-market vendors say their prices are still cheaper than at specialty retailers and online auction sites. Bargain hunters may find they can get the best of both worlds: Some flea markets lease stalls on a one-time basis as a garage sale alternative for sellers looking to de-clutter.

Forget that dream of finding the rare collectible action figure or priceless 19th century end table for ten bucks, says former Sotheby's director Patrick van der Vorst, who appraises roughly items a day on his website ValueMyStuff.

For example, collectors may find a piece that on its own isn't valuable, but when added to the buyer's now-completed set, is worth a lot. Stalls can also be so crowded that bargains go undiscovered under tables or behind other items, she says. Ok, so you won't get rich on your flea-market find. But most shoppers do expect a bit of originality. Not so anymore, say experts. In the era of mass-market furniture, flea markets are full of mainstream retailer leftovers from a few years ago.

For the cash you're spending, those pieces aren't likely to retain any value down the line, he says.

Another thing to look out for: What can you tell me about it? That can help shoppers spot mainstream products for more accurate price comparisons. If you're looking for more offbeat items, some regions and markets are better than others.

Campbell likes the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, Calif. European flea markets tend to have significantly older pieces, which yields more unique items, he adds. You may be on your own when it comes to moving large, heavy items like furniture. But it can be even more complicated to get purchases from flea markets abroad back home, says Campbell, who often ships from international markets. Travelers need to be aware of any U. Australia prohibits the exportation of some indigenous fine art, for example.

Other goods may require permits. To bring wood furniture from South Africa to the U.

Travelers can avoid some potential problems by checking restrictions before they travel. Shippers can also take care of necessary documentation, says Toma Haines, chief executive of The Antiques Diva , which arranges tours of European flea markets. Many have offices on-site to handle arrangements, but you can also set up an account in advance of any shopping, she says.

That way, the shipper can consolidate all purchases from different vendors and markets into one shipment.

It used to be, the older the piece, the higher its price. But as the flea-market crowd shifts to younger consumers, tastes are moving more toward clean-lined furniture, funky appliances and vintage fashions from the 50s, 60s and 70s, says experts.

Forbidden

Prices in those categories are naturally appreciating. Vendors, however, haven't necessarily lowered prices to match this drop. Shoppers should arrive at flea markets armed with general market prices for the items from the periods they're interested in, Fendelman says.

If you have a smartphone, search eBay and the web for prices on comparable items once you find something specific you like. If the item seems over-priced, consider that extra room to negotiate, she says. Flea markets and haggling aren't as synonymous as bargain-hunters might expect.

More unusual items and those with established provenance tend to have firmer prices. Vendors that sell items they made themselves also tend to have less wiggle room, says Sally Schwartz, founder of the Randolph Street Market in Chicago. The big reason shoppers are unlikely to lower prices, however, is because they're going about haggling the wrong way.

Flea-market shoppers often encounter items that shouldn't be for sale. This spring, for example, the U. Consumer Product Safety Commission warned that discounters at flea markets and other venues were reselling some recently recalled products. But often the seller doesn't know there's been a recall, she adds. Other secondhand items like cribs, children's car seats and sports helmets are unlikely to meet the latest federal safety standards and should be purchased new, Davis says.

Market organizers say sellers are warned of potential federal fines for selling a recalled item and violators may be banned. But the onus is on the consumer to ensure a product is safe. Davis suggests using the free Recalls. It's worth asking the seller about safety concerns, too. Tammy Kerr, the founder of seasonal consignment sale Play On Sports Gear in Chicago, says she makes sure buyers know which pre-owned bats meet new Little League safety requirements aimed at reducing player injuries, and which should be for adult games only.

Buying brand-new items at flea markets doesn't guarantee quality either. Fakes abound, despite many markets claiming zero-tolerance policies for such behavior. Some are the usual suspects: But flea markets are often also venues for less-expected -- yet more dangerous -- counterfeits like perfume, makeup , kids' toys and batteries, she says.

Fake batteries may explode, while cosmetics may be laced with lead or toxic chemicals. Regulators are starting to crack down.

In late April, U. Days later, after a similar raid at Baltimore's Patapsco Flea Market, federal agents arrested five men for allegedly selling counterfeit purses, shoes, watches and other goods. Luxury brands including Coach and Louis Vuitton have also filed lawsuits against flea market owners and landlords alleging they turn a blind eye to knockoffs. Even with the uptick in enforcement, shoppers are probably best off buying brand-name goods from more reputable retailers, Steketee says.

Flea-market visitors may come home with empty wallets -- and empty shopping bags. That's because markets have become as much an entertainment destination as a shopping stop. Many now tout drive-in movie theaters, carnival rides, concerts and other attractions.

They also rake in more bucks from admission fees, food and drinks. At Denver's Mile High Flea Market , for example, a third of the revenue comes from restaurants and carnival rides, says chief executive Rob Sieban.

Operators say all these extras are still a bargain. Getting up at the crack of dawn may not be early enough to get be one of the first market visitors.

Vendors say they typically take a turn around other stalls before the market opens, picking up items for their personal collections or to resell down the line. Latecomers can still find some bargains, say experts. Some vendors replace purchased items with other stock from their vehicles throughout the day, says Fendelman.

In the afternoon, Grahl says, sellers may be more willing to haggle to avoid packing up unsold items. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Service , Privacy Policy , and Cookie Policy. Intraday Data provided by SIX Financial Information and subject to terms of use. Historical and current end-of-day data provided by SIX Financial Information. All quotes are in local exchange time. Real-time last sale data for U. Intraday data delayed at least 15 minutes or per exchange requirements.

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Making Money at the Flea Market - Super Saving Tips

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