by Janet Sandford

Created on: November 06, 2010

How to increase your sales at a flea market

A lot of people have a go at flea markets and boot sales. Why is it that some people find it a depressing and unrewarding experience whilst others find it profitable and fulfilling? A lot of it comes down to attitude and approach and there are a number of simple things you can do to boost your sales.

1) Know what sells

Before ‘doing’ boot sales and markets it’s a good idea to go to a few to get a feel for what kind of things sell. Remarkably, there are people who regular display their goods at boot sales and bemoan the fact that nobody’s buying - in fact, it’s been like that for five years now - maybe next week things will pick up. Yeah maybe!

2) Price right

Your market research will also give you an idea of market prices. Of course, you can sell more by undercutting everybody else but remember to keep it profitable. Giving stuff away at silly prices isn’t selling it’s just naïve. If you are a newbie, traders will visit your stall early; even as your unpacking, to try and pick up a bargain. It might make you feel good to get some quick sales but when you go round the market later in the day and see your stuff on their stall for double the price, you’ll be pretty annoyed.

3) Arrive early.

Some markets allocate pitches on a first come, first served basis so if you’re going to do it, do it properly. It’s not by accident that late comers get the pitches on the edges of the market where many punters never go.

4) Take care in presentation

You might think that it’s only a flea market and not the shop front of Harrods but act like it is. It is your shop front and by presenting your goods tidily and attractively you immediately add value to your stall - literally; you can justify a higher price. Something polished and nicely presented will appear more valuable than some dusty in a box of junk.

5) Promote your best items

Think of your stall as advertising space containing prime locations and other less prominent sites. Make sure that things you want to sell because they have a good profit margin are clearly visible and not obscured by less important objects.

6) Sell!

OK, you’ve arrived early, set up your stall and it’s nicely presented. Now you can sit down, eat a sandwich, read a newspaper and relax for the day; right? Wrong! However, there are many people who make absolutely no effort to engage with customers and then wonder why they haven’t

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