How to Visit and Enjoy a Swap Meet

Well, the economy is in terrible shape right now. I probably didn't even have to say it, as it's probably on everybody's mind. Is there any good news at all? Maybe.

Some people are using their financial troubles to discover new ways of shopping to save money, and many of them are having a lot of fun and adventure in the process. One of my own secrets is visiting a several-block long, outdoor swap meet. Think of any item you need or want, and you can probably find it somewhere at the swap meet in great condition, for a great price that may be further haggled down. Some vendors will ocasionally give away items for free. In the past, I've recieved eye makeup still in the original packagine, shoes, a purse, and a brand new manicure kit free of cost from vendors that were packing up and desperate to get rid of their leftovers.


Because I live in the Las Vegas area, I'll be writing with the local Broadacres swap meet in mind. However, most of what I'll cover applies to any swap meet, and many cities will have a swap meet or flea market located nearby or within reasonable driving distance. Do a brief search online for your city and hopefully you'll be surprised at what you find.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Comfortable shoes
• Appropriate clothing
• Bags or empty suitcases
• Cash (small bills)
• Water and snacks

1. For those who either live in Vegas or plan to take a vacation here, Broadacres is billed as "Nevada's oldest and largest open air swap meet." It's a great place to bring your family, as there will be plenty of entertainment and treasures for kids to find. It's open every Friday through Sunday, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. I suggest getting there early, around 8:00 to find the best deals; it's definitely worth waking up a little early. In my experience, Sunday is the best day out of the 3 to go, as most of the vendors will be getting antsy to sell their wares and tend to lower their prices dramatically by the end of the weekend.
   
   Here is the official website:
   http://www.broadacresswapmeet.com/

2. 
    
   Image credited to broadacresswapmeet.com

   Broadacres is located at 2390 North Las Vegas Blvd, actually pretty far from The Strip. It's in the Northeast corner of the valley, near Nellis Air Force Base. While out there, you might notice the interesting sight of military planes heading to and from the base. You'll also get a nice view of the mountains bordering the Northeast part of Las Vegas. You might want to bring a camera.
   
   To get to Broadacres, you can take one of several routes. A fast way to get there is described on this page:
   http://www.broadacresswapmeet.com/directions.htm
   
   If you're taking the bus or here on vacation, it's easy to get there from The Strip. Take the Strip bus north until you reach the Downtown Transfer Terminal. It's the last stop on the route, and you'll know you're there when the bus driver requires everyone to get off the bus. Then, transfer to the Max-line bus, which will arrive frequently on the east side of the transfer terminal. You can ask anyone for assistance locating it. You will take this bus North until you reach Broadacres. It will be ocated on the right side, and you'll see giant Swap Meet signs and billboards on the side of the road. You can stop in front of it, or on Pecos Road.
   
   If you're driving, you can take the route described on the website above. Another easy way to get there is to take any cross street (Tropicana, Flamingo, Sahara, etc) East until you reach Pecos Road, and head North until you hit North Las Vegas Blvd. The swap meet will be directly on your left.

3. There is a free parking lot at the entrance, and a small fee per person (excluding children) to get in. The fees are listed on the official page linked above, and won't exceed $1.50 for each adult. Make sure you have plenty of cash in small bills before you enter, as some of the venders won't be able to return change for large bills.
   
   If you need to make change or draw out money inside the swap meet, there will be booths with ATM machines available and employees willing to help. The lines can get pretty long, so I suggest making preparations beforehand instead.

4. There are a few different types of vendors at most swap meets: people selling a mix of used and new personal items, and commercial vendors selling only new items that they usually get wholesale from a well-known store. Sometimes you'll also meet vendors in the process of starting their own store and selling handcrafted items. Whether you want to buy a book for 25 cents or a car for $10,000, you'll be able to find anything you want at any price range you're willing to pay.
   
   Some of the items I've found at Broadacres include designer clothing, shoes, and purses in perfect condition (some with original tags still on) for as little as 25 cents an item, antique bottles worth more than $200 from a vendor willing to sell them for $2 each, vintage and antique Vegas memorabilia for half the prices that gift shops on The Strip charge, books on various subjects for 25 cents each, brand new CDs and DVDs for $1 each, a genuine turquoise necklace and jade garden decorations for $3 each, large packages of organic strawberries and bananas for $1 each, various working electronics and musical instruments under for $20, and tools for 25 cents each. 25 cents seems to be a common number. I can think of several vendors at Broadacres that have 25 cent baskets and tables, and one in particular that sells absolutely everything for 25 cents. Keep in mind that this is only a partial list of items I've found at the swap meet.

5. There will often be a farmers market area as well, with fruit, vegetables, and other foods for purchase. This is a great place to buy produce, as the prices are usually better than what you'll find at any grocery store, with better quality as well. Some sellers offer organic produce as well.
   
   If fruit and vegetables don't appeal to you when you need an energy boost, you'll find several kiosks and booths selling various cooked meals. At Broadacres, you can choose between All-American classics such as hotdogs and barbecue, delicious and authentic Mexican food, or Asian specialties like orange chicken with noodles. Expect to pay around $5 on average for a hot meal. Packaged cookies and chips are also available, as well as cold drinks.
   
   Indoor restrooms are also available in several areas.
   
   If you have kids, they'll be delighted to discover entertainers strolling through the open air market, offering everything from humor and puppet shows to balloon animals and trained monkeys. Some vendors sell animals and will allow your kids to hold or pet them. Blends of rock, classical, and Latino pop music can be heard from different sections of the swap meet, along with the noises of vendors performing demonstrations and haggling with buyers.

6. While you're out there, don't be afraid to haggle; it's a lot easier than it seems. There's often no need, as vendors will automatically suggest a lower price if you put down an item and attempt to walk away without buying anything. Here are a few tips on getting the best price for an item.
   
   If you see something you want, feel free to examine it, but do it casually and without any outward signs of interest. Some venders will suggest a higher price if they think you desperately want it. It's very acceptable to point out any imperfections or damage to an item while asking for a lower price. In the end, if the price is still too high, you can always put it down and start to walk away; many vendors will call you back and offer a better price at last minute. Whatever you do, have fun with it and don't get upset or argue with a vendor.

7. Whether you're a tourist or a local, I suggest you bring an empty suitcase on wheels to carry your treasures in. Even if you don't plan on getting anything large, you might be surprised at what you find. I went out to Broadacres one day with the intentions of buying only small objects, but then found an antique wooden cabinet for
   only $1.
   
   Keep certain circumstances in mind when you buy. If you're a vacationer by plane, you'll need to make sure everything will fit inside your suitcase and will be appropriate for air travel. Liquids and sharp items might not be a good idea. If you've taken the bus, chances are you'll have a long trip ahead in order to get back to your house or hotel room, so make sure you can comfortably carry everything. If you're a vacationer that's driven here from another state, consider that some items (live plants and flowers, fruit, etc) will be confiscated at certain state borders.
   
   If you've driven and plan to make several trips in between the swap meet and parking lot to store things in your car, make sure you have your hand stamped at the entrance booth so you'll be able to enter again without paying.

8. Other safety tips: Keep a close eye on your children, as it's easy to get lost in the large, noisy crowd. Bring a bottle of water for every member of your group, as well as energy bars or small snacks if you aren't willing to pay for these inside the market. Wear comfortable shoes and weather appropriate clothing; this is outdoor, and the weather often reaches extremes in the desert. Keep and eye on your personal belongings as well, as a distracting atmosphere is the perfect place for a wallet or purse snatching to happen.
   
   Keep these tips in mind and expect to have a lot of fun while saving money and returning with some awesome, one of a kind gifts or souvineers. Good luck and happy adventures!