Rock your Local Vintage Market with these 5 Tips
Rock Your Local Vintage Market with These 5 Tips
How to Get the Best Deals, and Best Stuff at the Antique Markets
You’ve got your ticket, your trolley and you’re ready to score some great stuff for your home, but it takes these savvy tips to get the best bang for your entrance fee buck.
- Splurge on the VIP early event ticket. It’s all about networking. Early access gives you first dibs on the things you can’t live without. It also gives you access to the vendors without crowds competing for attention. You can network with them to see which ones are willing to use their skills and connections to help you find specific items or designers for you.
The early ticket events are often attended by local influencers, bloggers, and designers. Don’t miss the opportunity to make connections with other people who share your passions. I’ve found them to be generous with their help and they’re often the first to know about other events that might interest you. So, spend most of your time networking, and save the heavy shopping for the next day.
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- Make a list. Knowing what you need ahead of time keeps you from bringing home treasures that don’t fit into your decorating plan. It’s best to have a general, rather than specific idea of what you’re looking for. Keeping an open mind helps you see different possibilities while still getting the piece that you need. Think “display/cabinet for the corner of the kitchen” rather than “blue 1940’s ice box.” And don’t forget to write down measurements.
Most people attending the last vintage market I visited had purchased wall hangings. My guess is that they had to pass on some of the more interesting pieces because they weren’t sure where they would put them, or if they would fit. So, survey your home before attending and make a list that will allow you to bring home truly unique pieces that work for you.
- Bring a Tape Measure. This one is so obvious, and yet we forget that every time we shop for home furnishings we need a tape measure. There’s nothing worse that bringing home something you love and finding that it just doesn’t fit into your plan because you didn’t measure first.
- Bring a wagon, dolly or lumber cart. You’re going to have to get your treasures back to your car—parked ½ mile from the venue. There’s usually a staging area where you can stow and fill your cart until you’re ready to leave. For really big pieces, ask the vendor to mark it as sold and plan to pick it up later.
- Snap pictures. So many of the vendors at these events are artisans willing to customize. Snap pictures of the piece that you like, but maybe isn’t quite right and another picture of their business card or promotional sign. Then call them a week or so after the event to discuss producing a custom item for you.
Share your favorite tips for shopping vintage markets in the comments below.
