Selling at Swap Meets, Flea Markets, etc.

5 replies
With today's online markets, eBay in particular it's very hard to sell electronic goods at a decent price to make enough profit. The very reason being is that there is someone out there who has either found a better supplier or possibly the overseas supplier selling the products directly. I'm not too familiar with swap meets or flea markets but there is enough reason to believe that most shoppers especially in Malls don't mind spending a little bit extra knowing that they can get it right away.

I don't have enough money to come across an agreement to rent out a kiosk in the mall, however I was thinking of selling various electronics. iPhone 5 cases, plugs, etc from a supplier I know overseas who doesn't charge me much. However, I've never personally been to a swap meet so I'm not sure if there is any potential to sell there. I will be going this weekend, walking around checking out what there is, but I believe there may be a possibility to make a higher profit in sales then you would online.

What do you guys think?
#flea #markets #meets #selling #swap
  • Profile picture of the author Marvin Johnston
    I think you might have to check out more than one swap meet to find one you feel comfortable with.

    Each swap meet has a different feel to it with different people who attend. And that makes a LOT of difference in what will sell.

    I know people who do quite well, but they also tailor what they are selling to the type of people who attend. The TRW swapmeet in the Los Angeles area and the Foothill swapmeet in (I think) Cupertino are two examples of people selling mostly used electronics to techie type people. At least for the most part.

    While I hate ebay (although I'm starting to get over it), they are the best place to sell electronic collectables (vintage audio gear, vintage computers/parts/etc. for two examples) What sells for maybe $20 or so at the swapmeet can bring several hundreds of dollars when sold on ebay.

    And one REALLY stupid thing some people do is the hope and pray method of selling on ebay. I've found countless items that even cursory research would show a profit couldn't be made even if you got the item(s) for free as they just don't sell there.

    Kind of like any type of marketing, find where the people are who are buying. Then stand in front of them selling what they want.

    Marvin
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    • Profile picture of the author umc
      Around here we have flea markets and swap meets, and both could be profitable for you. However, we also have "peddler's malls", where you basically have a booth and don't have to physically be there. They are open 7 days a week, and handle the transactions. I sold a variety of things a few years back in a few different locations, and it was profitable for me. All of my items had a tag on them with my booth number, and I was credited for all transactions. I did have to invest in some locking cases for some items, but it depends on what you've got to offer. Anyway, it might be worth looking into if you have these types of markets near you. If nothing else, your items sell without you being there, freeing you up to do other things to earn money.
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      • Profile picture of the author HellaFamous
        thats what i call a side hustle
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        • Profile picture of the author LivingCali758
          Thank you guys for your suggestions, I'll have to see what kind of different events we have going on here and maybe take advantage of them and try out the market. The most I'll loose is maybe 1k but it's def worth trying out.
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  • Profile picture of the author davidreese
    I've sold things at various flea markets in Florida and Rhode Island years back. You can make money but it is difficult to get things at a price low enough to be able to sell. People go to flea markets expecting lower prices. You need to be able to discount and still be able to make a profit.

    If you have a product that you can sell it is helpful. I knew a woman that did great with the knifes that advertise in the infomercials. She could demonstrate it.

    I had a decent six month run with POGS when they were hot. It was the ability to demonstrate and sell.

    Many people do well with sunglasses. If you follow the fashions and get copies but not direct knockoffs you can do well.

    There are people that go to the various flea markets looking for illegal copies. I saw three stands shut down.

    Checkout some books on retail methods before you start your stand. It typically takes much more in inventory than you would think.

    -David
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    David Alger
    Thumbtack Bugle We Get the Word Out

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