Are you looking for a great way to get rid of unneeded household items before packing to move into a new house? Holding a flea market (garage sale) could be the right solution. This article will give you some tips if you want to run a flea market.
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Part 1 of 5: Sorting Out Items for a Flea Market
Step 1. Collect items to sell
Search the boxes in the attic, shed, closet or garage and select items that are still worth selling. Then, explore other rooms to see if there's anything you don't need anymore.
- Many people find it difficult to part with their belongings, even when they are no longer used. If you haven't used an item in more than a year, that's a sign that you won't feel like you're missing out on the item.
- Sell everything you no longer want or use, such as clothes that are too small, tableware that you never use, outdated game consoles, shoes, crafts, photo frames, and other knick-knacks.
- People love to shop and will buy just about anything. Certain items are selling well, such as hotcakes, such as children's toys, old utensils, books, antiques, and simple kitchen utensils. Don't be afraid to offer things you don't think will sell. If no one is interested in buying it, you can always throw it away.
- Make sure all items offered are clean enough and undamaged to prevent injuring anyone. However, it is not forbidden to sell damaged goods, as long as there are no risks involved. You will be surprised. Many people are willing to buy broken household items, bent hoses, old doors, and items they no longer seem to want. Maybe you could consider giving away these items for free.
Step 2. Make an inventory
Write down each item you want to sell on a piece of paper. Many people skip this step, but a list of items can help the sales process run more smoothly.
- Include a price for each item on the list. Price tags are often lost during flea markets, and it's difficult to determine the right price on the spot, especially if you're dealing with questions from other buyers or helping sell other people's goods.
- The more items you offer, the more important it is to list items and prices.
- An item list can help keep track of the items you sell so you can anticipate thieves who want to take advantage of the opportunity.
Step 3. Determine the price for your merchandise
Study the list of items that have been created and set a reasonable price for each item.
- If you just want to get rid of old knick-knacks you no longer need, they're cheap. For more valuable items, a rule of thumb you can follow is to charge them around a quarter of the original price.
- You can charge higher prices for certain items, such as barely new items, collectibles, or valuable antiques.
- Remember, your goal in holding a flea market is to get rid of old, unused items, not to make big profits. People who come to flea markets want to find bargains and bargain. If you don't want to take most of your belongings home with you again, it's the low prices that are the main goal of visitors. Some people are not willing to pay more than 10% of the store price for an item at a flea market. Set a fair price for your wares, and you'll take home the money.
- If you don't want to set a fixed price for an item, post a “Praise to bid” notice or write it on a price tag. Keep in mind that buyers may try to bargain very low prices. You can work around this by saying, for example, “Rp400,000 or best offer” to set your desired price estimate.
- Don't set a fixed price. You may need to change the price of certain items, depending on how much interest visitors show for an item.
Step 4. Provide a price tag for your merchandise
Put a clear price tag on each item. This way, you don't have to answer the same questions for the item and avoid the confusion of having a lot of items.
- Labels with bright colors will make it easier for buyers to find the price of an item and save selling time.
- You can buy self-adhesive price tags, or you can use a “sticker gun”. If you don't have sticker labels, you can use a piece of masking tape, or make your own.
- If you have large quantities of the same item for the same price, for example books, CDs, cassettes or videos, put them all in one box and put a price tag on the box (Rp. 10,000/book). Buyers can easily browse through the contents of the box if they are interested, and collectors may make an offer to buy the entire contents of the box.
Step 5. Make the flea market as big as possible
Flea market visitors tend to prefer big sales. If they see not much on offer, they may not even be interested in getting out of the car. If you can attract a lot of serious thrift enthusiasts, the crowd will attract the curiosity of passers-by so they're keen to join in.
- Ask friends, family, and neighbors if they have anything to sell. You probably know people who want to sell some of their favorite things, but aren't ready to run their own flea market. If it turns out that friends, family, or neighbors have items you'd like to sell, ask them to make their own list of items so you don't get overwhelmed later. They have to tell you what items they will be leaving you to sell, along with the price.
- Bargaining for other people's goods must be done with the permission of the owner. If the buyer doesn't want to compromise with their offer, just say “This item is a friend's deposit, not mine. So I can't change the price."
Part 2 of 5: Planning and Promoting Flea Markets
Step 1. Find out if you need a permit to run a flea market
Contact the local RT/RW head or other authorities.
- Each city has its own rules about organizing an event, where you can place your ad, when you can hold it, and how often you can do the activity. This regulation will prevent residential areas from being commercialized because there are people who want to use them for professional gain.
- It's better to take the time to gather as much information as possible, and spend a small amount of money getting a permit than to risk losing more money paying the fine.
Step 2. Consider setting up a flea market with a few families or the whole neighborhood
This means that every family in your neighborhood is laying out an item they want to sell in their own garden or driveway at the same time. Each house will attract its own buyers and they will most likely stop by the other house to have a look and possibly make a purchase. Flea markets attended by many families are often more successful than those conducted by one family alone.
- If you are merging the sale of items from several different families, put price tags in different colors or clearly mark your items so the cashier will know who will receive payment for the items.
- It's a good idea to tell other families or the cashier which items are acceptable and which are not. Especially if all the items are mixed into one.
Step 3. Set a date and time for holding the flea market
Holding a flea market for two days should be enough to sell most of your stuff. Weekends or holidays can be a great time to hold a flea market. Choose a time when potential buyers are willing to come in and spend money (eg at the beginning of the month).
- Most flea markets start in the morning, around 08:00 and end in the afternoon. Plan to spend the whole day as sales can run from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
- Check the weather forecast for your area and try to avoid the possibility of rain. Sunny weather will usually attract more visitors.
- Be careful if you schedule a flea market to coincide with another major holiday celebration or a long holiday as many potential buyers will have to make certain preparations or choose to take a trip out of town.
- Certain organizations or neighborhoods host annual flea markets. You can take advantage of this opportunity to participate. Some flea markets are also quite famous and many people are looking forward to this event. Find out the information on the internet or social media.
- Do not hold a flea market when there are roadworks in the area leading to the site. Roadworks can create traffic jams that people will avoid or put visitors in a bad mood due to road fatigue.
Step 4. Choose the right location for your flea market
If you're holding a flea market alone, a location can be easily assigned. You can have it in your front garden, in your driveway, or in your garage.
If you're hosting a flea market with several other families or a charity market, make sure you choose a location large enough to display all of your items. Choose a location that is easily accessible. It would be better if you choose a nearby location, such as a park or parking lot
Step 5. Make an announcement for your flea market
You don't have to advertise the event in advance, but doing so can significantly increase visitor numbers.
- Placing an ad in the newspaper may be too expensive. You can make flyers/posters and stick them in strategic places. If the flea market is being held on a Friday, it's a good idea to start distributing flyers on a Wednesday or Thursday. Pay attention to how long it takes to print the flyer/poster.
- Promote your event on the bulletin boards of major supermarkets in your area or at the laundries. Spread the news by word of mouth or through social gathering events or RT meetings.
- Don't forget the internet. There are many sites that allow you to create ads for free.
- Make posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media networks. Invite friends and relatives to browse what you have to offer.
Step 6. Make a poster a few days before the event
Write down the date, time, location of the flea market, and, if possible, the type of item being offered.
- You usually make simple posters, for example “Flea Market: Saturday, August 5 2017, 08:00-14:00, at Jalan Ikan Mas No. 43, with arrows pointing to your house.
- If you want to stick a poster on your car, try to find the right balance of the information provided so that it's easy to read at a glance. Make sure the words “Flea Market” can be seen prominently.
- Use plain, bright colors and simple fonts to convey information about flea markets.
- Use a sturdy material for a flea market poster, such as a few pieces of cardboard or cardboard so it doesn't bend in the wind.
Step 7. Put up posters around your neighborhood
It's a good idea to put up posters a few days before the event in strategic places that can be seen by passers-by. You can stick posters on telephone poles, electricity poles, trees, or traffic signs.
- Hang the poster at the entrance of the housing complex, or in front of your house.
- If you live near a main road, hang posters on telephone poles or street name poles at major intersections. An intersection with a traffic light can be an excellent location for placing posters.
- Just in case, learn the rules regarding posters.
Part 3 of 5: Preparing for a Flea Market
Step 1. Clean the garden and/or garage
Visitors are more likely to buy (and spend more money) if they see the items on offer come from homes that are well-maintained and the owners really care about those items. They also tend to feel more comfortable stopping by and having a look if the point of sale looks attractive and clean. Presentation is everything.
- Cut the grass, sweep up the dry leaves, and prepare a place to display the items for sale.
- Make sure there is plenty of parking. Maybe you can move the car that is usually parked in front of the house to another street or ask permission to park it in front of the neighbor's house.
Step 2. Make sure you provide enough tables
You can use tables and bookshelves to display merchandise. Alternatively, you can rent a folding table if you need an extra table.
- You can put some things on the grass, but it's best to place small items on the table. In this way, those who are interested do not have to stoop too low to inspect it and prevent the possibility of items being stepped on by visitors.
- If you use furniture from home to display items for sale, make sure the buyer knows that the furniture is not for sale. Consider covering the table with a cloth or tablecloth so it's not visible. That way, the table can still function as a place to display merchandise without causing misunderstandings.
Step 3. Prepare the change
Very few visitors think of setting up a small fortune. If you can't provide a change, the buyer may think twice and cancel the transaction.
- If you don't have enough petty cash at home, you may need to go to the bank to exchange it the day before the flea market is held. Prepare lots of change and small money.
- You can be sure you have to give a lot of change to customers. So, consider using a waist bag or pocket apron to make it easier for you to manage your money. The waist bag has two compartments: you can store banknotes in the larger compartment, and coins in the smaller compartment.
- Keep large amounts of money at home until needed. That way, you minimize the chances of losing a large amount of money by dropping it or getting it stolen.
- If you have an auto debit machine, you can accept the use of a debit or credit card. These facilities look very professional, and can encourage shoppers to spend more money. This machine will be very useful for selling expensive items, such as furniture, bicycles, musical instruments and rare antiques. Contact the nearest bank for information on how to get an auto debit machine.
Step 4. Prepare everything in the morning
Get up early so you have plenty of time to prepare the place to be used. The time in the morning is usually used to display things, move furniture and cars.
- Enlist the help of a few friends and family members to set things up so that they are faster.
- Make a game plan the night before. You should know where the table will be placed, where you will display the items, how much each item will cost, and where you will be saving the money. If the sale goes well, you will be very busy. So, be prepared.
- Experienced flea market visitors often arrive earlier than scheduled times for their first chance to see the featured items, and they're here to buy. Make sure you're ready an hour or two before opening hours.
- Don't prepare things the night before, no matter how safe your environment is. No one knows who will pass in front of your house at night. In addition, items can become damp or wet from dew making them more difficult to sell.
- To prevent visitors from arriving before you're ready, put up “wait” signs around your neighborhood until everything is on display and you're ready to serve. Put the sign closest to the last house. Early visitors (usually buying items to resell) can be distracting, even pushy, while you are busy preparing for the event.
Step 5. Arrange items to attract attention
Many potential buyers will drive past your house before deciding to stop by, and you'll need to make things look neat and tidy so they'll stop.
- Remove items from storage boxes so passers-by can actually see them, not just piles of cardboard.
- Place premium items (near-new items, antiques, large tools, etc.) near the road so they can attract attention.
- Arrange the tables in such a way that items can be displayed neatly without stacking each other so that visitors can check them easily.
- Instead of folding clothes on the table, hang them on a hanger rack or a rope stretched from a tree to the garage ceiling. Hanging clothes will be easier to check and you won't have to bother folding them back.
- Helium balloons can be an inexpensive way to attract visitors' attention. Hang them on tables or at the end of the street.
Step 6. Offer a drink or snack
Flea markets will be more interesting if you provide souvenirs or serve pastries, or drinks.
- Some may be tempted to stay longer and buy more with coffee and donuts.
- People tend to attract the arrival of other people. People often only pass flea markets if there are no visitors at all.
Part 4 of 5: Holding a Flea Market
Step 1. Be an active seller
Holding a flea market is not much different from any other sales job. So, unleash your selling talent.
- Greet visitors with a friendly smile.
- Ask if you can help them. If they say no, feel free to have a look. You have to make visitors feel comfortable there, and not make them feel watched or judged.
- Give special offers. If someone buys a blender, for example, offer to buy a cocktail glass at a special price, or give it a certain discount. Don't expect things to sell out on their own.
Step 2. Ask others for help
Prepare several people for convenience and safety reasons. You can ask a family member or friend to help out and in return you can pay a small fee or treat them to a meal after the event is over.
- With help, you can easily go to the toilet if needed. When you need to pee, sales can still go well.
- Never leave things unattended for more than a few minutes and don't ask young children to supervise them.
Step 3. Make sure things are always tidy during the event
During the event, it is inevitable that things will fall apart, out of place, and maybe even damaged. If you want to sell as much as possible, make sure things are always tidy.
- Tidy things up as you pass by or while serving shoppers.
- Rearrange the position of the items after they are sold. Move new, high-quality items to always be at the forefront.
Step 4. Negotiate with those who like to bargain
Even though items come with price tags, some people will try to haggle. Just wait for them. Bargaining can be a fun experience, and you'll likely sell more if you're willing to treat these people well.
- Don't be afraid to turn down offers, but it's a good idea to consider every offer. After all, you want to get rid of these items.
- Don't lower the price too early. If you can run a flea market successfully, you should also be able to attract buyers who are willing to pay full price.
- If you're hosting a flea market for several families, haggling for their belongings can only be done with their permission. If the buyer isn't willing to pay the price, just say, “This item has a friend. I'm just helping to sell it. So, I can't lower the price.
Step 5. Give big last-minute discounts
If you still have some items, even though it's close to closing time, there's nothing wrong with offering massive discounts. Here are some ideas for special offers:
- Buy one get one free.
- Big discount for bulk purchases.
- Two items for one price.
- 50% discount after a certain time.
Step 6. Don't pack up after closing time to attract latecomers
You never know when someone will pass by your flea market location and stop by, even if it's empty.
- This is especially important if you have set a specific schedule for your flea market, for example 9:00am-3:00pm and have posted an announcement on the internet or in a flyer. It is possible that visitors will still come even after closing time.
- If you wait a little longer, there's a chance that some passersby will stop by. Sometimes people are willing to pay for all the remaining items at a certain price!
Step 7. Donate unsold items
Do not throw items that can still be used in the trash. Look for someone who might need something you don't need anymore.
- You can put an ad on the internet or a poster in your neighborhood about the items you want to donate.
- You can tell friends, family and neighbors about the items you'd like to donate, and ask if they need it.
- Contact a local charity or thrift store. Maybe they're willing to take things that don't sell and use them.
Step 8. Take down the poster you put up after the event is over
Try to take down posters as soon as possible to keep your environment and living space clean and tidy. The old, worn, and broken posters stuck to the poles are not a pretty sight.
- Ask a friend or family member to remove the poster after the event is over while you can continue selling and tidying up.
- If your address is on a poster, and you keep it posted in your neighborhood for weeks, everyone will know where you live. Maybe you will continue to be visited by buyers who show up at the wrong time.
Part 5 of 5: Securing Flea Markets
Step 1. Keep an eye on the visitors
Flea markets attract not only honest visitors, but possibly thieves as well.
- Place items in a clearly visible place and do not leave items unattended for more than a few minutes.
- Enlist the help of friends or neighbors to help with sales so there is always someone to keep an eye on visitors. The more people watching, the more likely you are to catch a thief in the act.
- As long as people know you're watching the situation, there's likely to be no major problems. If someone manages to steal a small item, you may not need to confront them. Use your best judgment. If the thief is a neighbor's child, you may need to reprimand him and tell his parents. If the thief is a fierce-looking and dangerous-looking stranger, it's probably best that you don't start an argument.
- If you suspect someone is stealing valuables, try to talk to them without exposing the person in front of other visitors. In an emergency, call the police, but don't try to arrest them.
Step 2. Lock the house during the event so as not to give a chance to robbers or thieves
During the flea market, lock all the doors of the house, including the back, front, and side doors. Do not forget, windows and patio doors must be closed tightly.
- Maybe not only thieves, but also gangs of robbers who want to steal valuables in homes that are not for sale.
- Crowds of people can be distracting. Make sure you place items in a location where they can be easily seen.
Step 3. Watch your money
Anyone can be tempted to steal your hard-earned money. So, make sure there is someone who is always watching him. Or, you can store it in a closed bag or waist bag.
- Keep a reasonable amount of money in a money box or waist bag. This way, if someone manages to steal it, your loss is not too big.
- Consider purchasing a counterfeit money detector. If you suspect the authenticity of the banknotes received, you can always check them with the tool.
Step 4. Think about the toilet problem for visitors
The larger the flea market you host, the longer visitors will be there, and the more likely they will have to go to the bathroom.
- Some visitors may ask for permission to use the toilet. There is no obligation for you to let other people into the house, even to use the toilet. However, you may be able to make exceptions for children and seniors.
- If someone really needs to use the toilet, advise him or her to go to the nearest public building.
Tips
- Provide empty boxes and cardboard to use as shopping baskets for visitors who buy a lot of goods.
- Prepare a power outlet or extension cord so visitors can test electronics before buying them. You will get a better price if the buyer can make sure that the purchased item is still functioning properly. If it's damaged, you have to be honest and don't sell it as if it could still be used properly.
- Be prepared for visitors who smoke or take a pet dog to the flea market. Make a plan to anticipate it. If you're worried about trouble, create a sign asking visitors not to smoke and to clean up any litter their dogs leave behind.
- When you're setting a price, examine the item carefully and ask yourself if you're willing to spend that much money on the item.
- It's not uncommon for people to like to haggle at flea markets. Therefore, set the price a little higher above the price you want. For example, if you want to sell a toy for $10, write $12,000 or $15,000 on the price tag.
Warning
- Sometimes, shoppers try to get things for free by using the following trick: They pick a small item for Rp. 5,000 and pretend they want to pay with Rp. 100,000. They hope that by draining your petty cash supply, it will make you feel frustrated and give up and let them take it for free. Be prepared for the situation and decide whether you're going to give the item away for free, ask them to exchange money first, or increase your petty cash supply. The $100,000 may be counterfeit while the $95,000 you gave is real.
- Make sure you don't get in trouble if you put posters on telephone poles or street name poles. In principle, posting posters without permission on someone's property is illegal and is not welcome. Be careful if you include the address on the poster.
- Remember that every visitor to your flea market is a guest, and you are legally responsible if a visitor is injured while on your property. To reduce this kind of risk, prepare the area to be used for a flea market as well as possible and take precautions to avoid potential harm, especially to children. Keep sharp and dangerous objects out of reach of children.
- If the flea market takes place in the yard, be prepared to move items to a garage or sheltered area when it rains. You can also cover the table with a tarp if you don't want to move it around.
