How to Have a Successful Flea Market Booth

A simple, attractive display will lure customers.

Flea markets are an American pastime that can bring in a significant amount of income for booth owners. If you know the market you are working in, and the customers that you will serve, you can make your flea market booth a success. Being friendly, open and prepared will help increase your sales.

Things You'll Need

• Flyers
• Business cards
• Banners
• Displays
• Sturdy racks
• Covers

Instructions

1. Arrive prepared for windy or wet weather. Bring coverings for your items and sturdy racks or other display gear that are not likely to blow over on a windy day.

2. Arrange items in a case display or deep set trays for expensive or breakable items. This helps cut down on lost money due to broken or stolen merchandise.

3. Print up and display business cards, banners and flyers for your merchandise. This helps customers if they want to contact you in the future or refer you to other potential customers. If possible arrange your booth in a U-shape, open towards the aisle, to encourage customers to come into your booth and talk.

4. Use testers, give-away samples and put out a mirror so customers can look at themselves wearing your merchandise. Display merchandise customers have to try right at your booth to catch their interest immediately. Take-home samples can be forgotten about or thrown away.

5. Mark the prices of your items so people don't have to ask you. This helps you serve customers faster since they don't have to wait for you to finish with another customer.

6. Sell a variety of merchandise instead of only a few items. Visit the flea market where you'd like to sell to see what kinds of items are popular. Sell items that you are familiar with so you can answer questions from customers.

7. Visit with other booth owners near you. They may purchase from you or refer others to you. Do the same for them if you are able.

References

• Flea Market Zone: How to Display Items at Flea Markets and Swap Meets; Michael Alterio; December 2010
• Flea Market Vendor Resources: Tips for Flea Market Vendors
• Work for RVers and Campers: Show Booths - 18 Tips to Make Them a Sales Success
• Great Flea Market: Making Money at Flea Markets; 2010
• WAHM: Supplement Your Income with Flea Markets; Daphne Mallory, Esq.