Selling at a Flea Market

This past Sunday, I got up at 4:30 am to sell at the Medina flea market in Hamel, which runs every Sunday from 6 am to noon. This was my first time this year as a seller, usually I prefer to go there and buy. The flea market was at capacity because of the great weather. I think there were about 250 vendors.

My sales were decent. I had 3 sales of $20 or more, and most others were from one to five dollars. It cost $20 to set up. With so much to see, customers usually give you a one-minute walk by, unless something catches their eye. That's why I try to have a variety of rummage, including a box of 25-cent toys for kids. You have to have wide appeal. Many people did stop or slow-down to look at the 30+ framed vintage photos I had on display. Sold an 8 by 10 photo from the 30's of a guy in a casket along with some military photos. Will try selling there again later this year.

Try Some Marketing

Earlier this garage sale season, I purchased an analog television set with a built-in dvd player. The couple I bought it from had it on the floor of their dark garage, no price, and you had to look hard to tell it played dvd's. They were asking $10 for it. I offered $8 and also purchased season 1 of Golden Girls on dvd for $2, so they got their $10. Took it home, set it up in my bedroom; it worked fine.

As I already had a dvd player connected to my other tv set, I decided to sell this one at my first lawn sale. But I also decided I was going to make some money off of it. Here is what I did:

I created a descriptive marketing sign for the tv screen. It read: 22" Screen DVD Player; Works Great; Easy to use: turn on power, insert dvd, press: play; comes with remote; perfect for bedroom, kitchen, office, family room; easy for kids to use. $35

When I had my lawn sale, I placed it on a table so it was easy to see, and I placed the sales sheet on the screen. The first people who stopped at the sale bought it. They offered $25, I countered with $30. SOLD.

Marketing makes a difference. If you really want to sell an item, display it properly, post the facts & benefits, tell how they might use it, and price it right. This is a key to garage sale success and profits.

My First Lawn Sale

My first lawn sale of the year was Saturday, July 3 and had a patriotic theme. My lawn signs read: "Buy American Rummage" and "Celebrate Your Freedom to Buy Rummage." Sales were decent; not the best ever (or the worst). Often, a holiday weekend is not the best time to have a sale, but this one worked out ok. As usual, I had a wide variety of merchandise. Sold lots of stuff that was just sitting in my garage and basement, including an old 80s stereo system. Love turning clutter into cash!