How to Bargain at a Flea Market

You can get anything from shoes to kelp for less with the proper bargaining at a flea market.

Rate: (4 Ratings)

Flea markets offer wonderful stuff at wonderful prices. The prices can be even more amazing if you know how to bargain. There’s more to the art of bargaining than telling the vendor “I’ll only pay $5.” Bargaining is a psychological game that can be a lot of fun, not to mention cost effective.

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Money in small denominations
Many pockets
Poker face
Nonchalance
Patience

Step1

Before you arrive, trade in your big bills for all singles and some quarters. Distribute the money evenly between many pockets and compartments so it’s never evident that you have more than you’re actually pulling out at any given time.

Step2

Browse all aisles with careful nonchalance and your best poker face.

Step3

When you see an item you just must have, decide how much you’re willing to pay for it, say $10. Casually pick it up and ask how much it’s going for.

Step4

If the price is not to your liking, say it’s going for $15, put the item back down and simply say, “Oh.”

Step5

Glance at the item again and tell the vendor, “Well, I like it, but I would like it even more if it were $7.” Be sure to go lower than what you’d really pay. At this point the vendor may get all huffy and say, “It’s worth at least $12.”

Step6

Here’s where you offer $10 and hope he goes for it. If he does, you can continue to be tricky by pulling out $7 in singles then pretending to hunt through your pockets for more money, slowly pulling out a quarter or two at a time. The seller may get frustrated and say, “Just take it for $7.25.” Or he may wait until you have every cent on the table.

Step7

Take your item and run. And try not to let the vendor see you buying other things with the rest of your money.

Tips & Warnings

Dress appropriately for flea market shopping. Show up in worn-down shoes and sweats rather than crisp boots and a brand new leather. Make it look like you have no money.
If a vendor is acting like a jerk about bargaining or selling you an item, just walk away. You don’t want to buy anything from a jerk anyway.
Always make it seem like the money you are pulling out of your pockets is the last money you have on earth.
If you see more than one item you want, ask if you can get a “bulk discount” for buying several items. They will usually laugh and go for it.
Don’t insult the seller by proposing a ridiculous price that is way too low.
Don’t let the vendor see you go nuts over an item. He’ll then know he can trap you for more money.
Don’t bring credit cards or check to a flea market. Too many vendors now take them and you'll be sorry.