How to shop in the market: tips for buyers

1. Think outside the box. The things that you see on the shelves can be used not only for their intended purpose. Train your imagination trying to come up with new uses for them. For example, a colorful fifties skirt can make a wonderful lampshade!

2. Take with you a lot of small denomination bills and even coins. For example, if an item is worth eight pounds, and you have seven one-pound coins, the antique dealer is likely to give you the coveted item for that money.

3. Bring a pen and notebook with you. Write down the numbers of the counters you like, or sketch out a map of the market and mark their location on it. This is especially important if you’ve purchased a large item and want to keep it with the vendor for the rest of the day. I once bought as many as twenty wooden ironing boards, but then I got lost and had to leave without them!

4. Carefully inspect the item for defects before purchasing. If there is a stain on the fabric, do not expect to be able to remove it. Do you think the seller hasn’t tried it before you?

5. Do not rush to part with money. Before you start buying everything you see, go around the entire market, feel its atmosphere, get an idea of ​​prices. At first glance, it might seem like £ 20 for a glass cake stand is very cheap. But, perhaps, in the next row, you can buy the same for six. Everything is relative.

6. Leave your Rolex at home! When going to the market, do not wear expensive clothes, jewelry or watches. If you are going to seriously bargain, dress as modestly as possible, otherwise your chances of knocking down the price of the item you like will be close to zero.

7. Do not spray. Make a list of 5-10 items that you would like to buy and try to stick to it. Otherwise, at the end of the day, you will have a heap of wonderful, but absolutely unnecessary trash in your hands.

8. Pay attention to the design of the counters. If any of them caught your attention from afar, linger and carefully study the assortment. If the counter does not “catch” the eye, feel free to pass by: the owner’s taste does not coincide with yours.

9. Bargain Politely. Do not offer the antiquarian to cut the price by half – this will offend him and will not achieve anything. Offer two-thirds or three-quarters of the original price and with a smile say something like, “I’d love to pay more, but unfortunately I can’t afford it.”

10. Put on comfortable shoes and get ready for your race. In America, shoppers arrive at the market half an hour before opening and walk around the perimeter planning their route. As soon as the gates are opened, many start running, trying to get a pre-noted thing.

11. If you want to save money, come to the market in the afternoon. Before closing, you can count on the most significant discounts. Early morning is a time for fanatical collectors looking to grab something rare.

12. Make and keep in touch with antique dealers. If you need something specific (for example, you collect old clockwork toys), they will select and bring such curiosities especially for you, without even putting them on the counter. Antique dealers often buy items for specific customers.

13. Feel free to admire the things you like out loud. It is important for many antique dealers to give their treasures “in good hands”. By showing interest and knowledge of the subject, you can get a good discount. I know from myself: it is simply a pity to give the “saved” from some attic a rarity to a person who plays with him and throws him away. Sometimes I myself discouraged “inappropriate” customers from buying.

14. Do not buy old and rare items in very poor condition., even if they are given to you for a song. The more expensive an item is, the more expensive is its restoration. You cannot fool a restorer – for a good thing of the XNUMXth century they will charge you in full. This is especially true for furniture.

15. If you are planning a tour of overseas flea markets, be sure to visit the antique wrecks in your city before your trip. For example, for Muscovites, the best choice is the Flea Market project, which regularly takes place in the Tishinka shopping center, or the market in Izmailovo. It is expensive and difficult to transport furniture from abroad. Someone may have already done this before you. It makes no sense to carry a thing far away if you can buy a similar thing in Russia.