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Is the time and effort worth it? (Moderated by Deepika, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 8/7/14 2:09 PM ET
We have moved and I have LOTS of downsizing still left to do (we are combining two households). Our new house is fairly close to a weekly swap meet held at a drive-in. It is only $15 to set up a table between two speakers.
I'm going to go check it out this Sunday. I've not experienced one so I don't know whether the bother of packing up a load of things and going to sell it would be worth it. The couple times we've had a garage sale it was a lot of work for little money and I would have been happier just bringing it all to a thrift shop. Obviously I'm not experienced at setting prices and dickering either. Hopefully I'll get some clue when I go visit it. I guess at $15 it would be worth a shot.
I'm wondering if any of you have experience selling at swap meets. Any hints to make it more worthwhile? I'm not looking to make huge profits, just hoping to come out a little ahead with all this STUFF I have.
Susan
I'm going to go check it out this Sunday. I've not experienced one so I don't know whether the bother of packing up a load of things and going to sell it would be worth it. The couple times we've had a garage sale it was a lot of work for little money and I would have been happier just bringing it all to a thrift shop. Obviously I'm not experienced at setting prices and dickering either. Hopefully I'll get some clue when I go visit it. I guess at $15 it would be worth a shot.
I'm wondering if any of you have experience selling at swap meets. Any hints to make it more worthwhile? I'm not looking to make huge profits, just hoping to come out a little ahead with all this STUFF I have.
Susan
Posted on: 8/7/14 6:17 PM ET
I'm going to be in one this Saturday and it is $15. Sometimes we take in a lot of money, sometimes not. I enjoy meeting the people and chitchatting with them.
A swap meet with a lot of people is a little different than your own garage sale. For garage sales at my MiL's we put tablecloths on all the tables and hid empty boxes, etc. We put up balloons, etc. as you want to attract the people. The swap meet itself will attract the people.
I like to price everything, but some people don't. If you really want to sell something, price it low enough, but have a little leeway in case they ask "Will you take $ for this?" I try not to put things on the ground as it is difficult for some to bend, even if I have to put a box on an empty box just to give it some height. Books seem to attract people.
At this sale there will be a donation truck, so we can give items which didn't sell to them. There are only a few items I will haul back home if they don't sell.
I don't put out rusted or chipped items, nor items which don't work. Some items I am certain will sell, don't; others, I think border on junk do sell. You just don't know who will come by and what they are looking for.
A lot of people ask for jewelry and they probably will sell the pieces for the gold or silver in them.
I'd say give it a try. You might enjoy and make some money to boot!
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A swap meet with a lot of people is a little different than your own garage sale. For garage sales at my MiL's we put tablecloths on all the tables and hid empty boxes, etc. We put up balloons, etc. as you want to attract the people. The swap meet itself will attract the people.
I like to price everything, but some people don't. If you really want to sell something, price it low enough, but have a little leeway in case they ask "Will you take $ for this?" I try not to put things on the ground as it is difficult for some to bend, even if I have to put a box on an empty box just to give it some height. Books seem to attract people.
At this sale there will be a donation truck, so we can give items which didn't sell to them. There are only a few items I will haul back home if they don't sell.
I don't put out rusted or chipped items, nor items which don't work. Some items I am certain will sell, don't; others, I think border on junk do sell. You just don't know who will come by and what they are looking for.
A lot of people ask for jewelry and they probably will sell the pieces for the gold or silver in them.
I'd say give it a try. You might enjoy and make some money to boot!
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Oops, forgot what I was going to put here.
Posted on: 8/7/14 6:53 PM ET
I probably end up bringing home someone else's junk. I *love* swap meets, flea markets, etc.
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Joe in New Albany, iN
Posted on: 8/7/14 7:39 PM ET
Having lived in several areas of the country I can say that it varies, depending on where you are. Even in a large metropolitan area, what 'works' in one part won't fly in another.
I suggest that before you purchase the space and set up a table you attend the meet several times and get a feel for pricing. Talk to some of the sellers about what is hot and what doesn't seem to move. As for 'junk', put it out and watch with amazement what will sell. My uncle cleared out his FILs house some years ago and had a huge pile he planned to burn. Luckily the auctioneer saw it first and stopped him!
My mom and I had a sale when she down sized and I almost cringed at some of what she put out for sale. (She is a pack rat!) But we put 50 cents on most stuff, and sold the rest for not much more. In two days we made $400, so you can make some money. We did learn, to our great surprise that in our area the big day to make money was Friday. Saturday was a slow sale day and we didn't even have our first customer til 9:30 am.
Good luck!
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I suggest that before you purchase the space and set up a table you attend the meet several times and get a feel for pricing. Talk to some of the sellers about what is hot and what doesn't seem to move. As for 'junk', put it out and watch with amazement what will sell. My uncle cleared out his FILs house some years ago and had a huge pile he planned to burn. Luckily the auctioneer saw it first and stopped him!
My mom and I had a sale when she down sized and I almost cringed at some of what she put out for sale. (She is a pack rat!) But we put 50 cents on most stuff, and sold the rest for not much more. In two days we made $400, so you can make some money. We did learn, to our great surprise that in our area the big day to make money was Friday. Saturday was a slow sale day and we didn't even have our first customer til 9:30 am.
Good luck!
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2020 Sewing Goal: Anything. Anything at all. And please let it be more than I buy.
Posted on: 8/7/14 11:21 PM ET
In reply to Mandolin82
Hi Mandolin82, I have never sold at a swap meet. However, three weeks ago I bought a sweet antique Mellon Back Mandolin for 8 bucks
I thought of you when I was admiring it at home. I absolutley love swap meets.
Sew Cool
I thought of you when I was admiring it at home. I absolutley love swap meets. Sew Cool
Posted on: 8/7/14 11:53 PM ET
We have been attending a swap meet every week for several years. It's a treasure hunt.
Most vendors do not price their items. Find something you like, ask about it, and the seller names his price. The bartering back and forth is half the fun and is expected. Hint: Never ever say "Make me an offer." Seller always goes first with his asking price.
Be prepared to sell low or drag it all back home. People are there bargain hunting.
For example, I picked up a used, but like new, $40 coffee press for $2. I would have given more, but the seller named his price and I produced the two bucks.
Believe it or not, the best items go early and are snatched up by other vendors. So if the opening time is 8:00, you will want to be there, set up and ready to go by 7:20. Sellers shop one another before the public is allowed in.
Most vendors do not price their items. Find something you like, ask about it, and the seller names his price. The bartering back and forth is half the fun and is expected. Hint: Never ever say "Make me an offer." Seller always goes first with his asking price.
Be prepared to sell low or drag it all back home. People are there bargain hunting.
For example, I picked up a used, but like new, $40 coffee press for $2. I would have given more, but the seller named his price and I produced the two bucks.
Believe it or not, the best items go early and are snatched up by other vendors. So if the opening time is 8:00, you will want to be there, set up and ready to go by 7:20. Sellers shop one another before the public is allowed in.
Posted on: 8/8/14 0:29 AM ET
Quote:
Sellers shop one another before the public is allowed in.
Sellers shop one another before the public is allowed in.
Now THERE is a dangerous concept.

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It's just fabric; we can out-think it.
Posted on: 8/8/14 0:46 AM ET
In reply to BriarRose
There is another way to look at it: before the sale opens, that is the only time the sellers have to walk around and buy things. Not all of them are looking to resell the items. When selling, I always wonder what is out there for sale (and I'm missing it)!
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Oops, forgot what I was going to put here.
Posted on: 8/8/14 1:17 AM ET
Who do you think has first chance at items donated to a thrift store?
Posted on: 8/8/14 10:08 AM ET
In reply to crankyoldlady
Always remember that what you look for is not what others look for. I have bought a lot of my "collectable" sewing machine and sewing patterns for cheep because most people think they are old fashioned
Now if all of us went to a swap meet together there could be trouble.

Sew Cool

Now if all of us went to a swap meet together there could be trouble.

Sew Cool
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