If you enjoy finding hidden treasures at swap meets and flea markets, here are some tips to make your expedition more successful once the season resumes in full force:
1 Get there early. Savvy shoppers know that the best stuff goes fast. They make sure to arrive when the market opens, or even pay extra for an early pass. Added bonus: It's not hot or crowded yet.
2 Wait around. If you've bargained with a seller and you just can't afford an item that you love, wait until the end of the day. (You did bargain, right?) If it still hasn't sold, there's a good chance the vendor really doesn't want to truck it home. Make a last offer and see what happens.
3 Bring cash, a cart, a tape measure, water and snacks. I love my little wheeled shopping cart — it makes life so much easier when I'm tromping around a market. If you don't have a cart, at least bring a backpack. If you're looking to fill a particular space, make sure you've measured before you come, and bring a tape measure with you. You'll need plenty of cash for bargaining, and keep it somewhere that pickpockets can't reach.
4 Look for quality. Vintage furniture made from hardwood is heavy and will last forever. Pressed board is also heavy, so know the difference. Is that fabric silk or rayon? Rayon will shrink like a ray gun zapped it when you put it in the washer.
5 Get real. This is the hardest thing for all of us who love bargains and vintage. Yes, that old leather case is cool, but it smells moldy. And, are you really going to make an end table out of it? Or is it just more junk to pile in the garage?
