First day of Spring means treasure shopping to those Flea Markets and Garage/Yard Sales!

~Antique china cabinet found as is, with blue stained glass for $150.00 at Flea Market. Now being used in a clients darling little girls room for her dolls and collectibles!
When I think of Spring I think of Garage sales, Yard sales and Flea Market shopping! The smell of Spring, warmer weather and the idea of a GREAT find…is almost too much…How exciting!
So what do you need to know, to get the deal of the century on the find of the year? Well, I will give you my Top 5 tips for a successful shopping excursion.
Top 5 Flea Market, Garage & Yard sale shopping Tips:
5. Bring gloves for any really dirty finds, heavy lifting or splintery items you may find. This is important because inevitably I have found great pieces of furniture that need sanding or have been outside and have tiny spider webs or even nests and this can help keep you free of splinters or unwanted bites.
4. Bring baby wipes, water bottles and large vehicle (or access to one).  This is for drinking and for washing up after handling items that may not be in great condition. Also this can come in handy if the owner of the item does not mind you dusting an item off that may need it before you consider buying it. The larger vehicle…well, there has never been a time that it has not come in handy.  There is always that unexpected find that is large. So if you do not own one…be sure you have access to one.
3. Measuring tape! That and your measurements from home if you are looking for a specific piece, for a specific space. This is important for everything from furniture to decorative accessories.  If they are going on a shelf of niche be sure and measure depth height, etc.
2. Pictures and lists! If you are looking for a specific piece pictures and a list of items needed is really nice because sometimes you get caught up in the fun and forget the task at hand.  I love when my clients bring me pictures of items they see in magazines or online and say “I have to have this…but, it is too expensive.” Woohoo, a challenge!  I take those pictures and find the equivalent for MUCH cheaper!  This is the fun part! The list is because there are always “wants” for the room and sometimes these are found for so cheap during the outing, they turn into Have to Have’s!
1. Bargain, Bargain, Bargain!!! I know to many of my clients have told me it makes them uncomfortable.  But, it is part of this kind of shopping.  All, Flea Market vendors, Garage and Yard Sale patrons are putting their items up for sale at the above value of the item most of the time.  They are “hoping” to get the price below the asking.  The game is to find out what that magic number is.  So always ask…”is there a better price on this item?” or if you know your budget for that specific piece then don’t be afraid to speak that.  I have many times said to a vendor or patron of the garage/yard sale..” my budget for an, (armoire, bed or whatever the item, is $$$.” So speak your price and sometimes you may be surprised. They may come down more than even YOU expected! But, put those fears of asking for a bargain out of your mind and have fun.  These people are used to it and expect it. 
*Bonus Tip: It does not hurt to research the items you are looking for ahead of time to see what most people are asking.  This can be done by retail examples for the high end and Craig’s List  online, for the in between and lower end prices.  This helps to see what an Antique shop might charge and what a seller/owner might charge.  Then when you find those items while shopping, you have a better gauge of what a “DEAL” really is!
Have fun, bring home that Treasure and change in your pocket!