Octavia & Brown
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Homeandgarden
Decorating
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Homeandgarden
DECOR
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Homeandgarden
Home Tour
This weekend was Alameda Antiques by the Bay, which takes place on the first Sunday of every month. It's the probably the most well-known flea market in Bay Area and has more than 800 vendors. It's also one of the most well-attended. Whether you’re a newbie or experienced shopper, these tips will help you get the most out of your trip to the flea market.
1. Timing is everything. Try to arrive at least 30-40 min before the market opens. Hop in line with the stylists, interior designers and antiques dealers to troll for the best items once the gates open.
2. Bring a flashlight and some extra canvas bags. Some of the markets open as early as 5am, having a flashlight will help you dig through boxes of treasures early in the morning.
3. Skip the plastic. Bring cash and your checkbook. A lot of vendors don’t accept credit cards and cash is appreciated. Smaller bills and exact change help with bargaining too.
4. Leave it. Once you purchase an item, ask the seller if you can leave it there while you shop and just pick it up on your way out. Most vendors are accommodating; just make sure you write down the name of the items and the booth number.
5. Bargain, baby! Say it with me "I will never, ever pay the original asking price on an item, even if I really want it". As a rule, start with 30-40% off the original price and go from there. If a seller is not willing to negotiate, be prepared to walk away.
6. Do your homework. Most of the time shopping a flea market is about finding a cool, unexpected item, but if there's something you've been searching for make sure you do some research. Questions to think about: How old is the item? Are there marks, stamps, or signatures to determine if it's an original? What is the item is worth? How much are you willing to pay?
7. Talk it up. Most vendors love sharing information about the items they’re selling. Chatting with them before a sale may give you a cool piece of history on your item and get you a better deal.
8. Refuel. After a few hours on the hunt, fatigue inevitably sets in. Make sure to grab some food and water while you’re shopping. (Bonus: most flea markets have delicious food.)
9. Make sure to visit the area furthest from the entry gate. These vendors don’t get as much love as the vendors in the front of the market and are usually more willing to negotiate on prices.
10. If you didn’t make it to the market at the crack of dawn, go later in the afternoon when vendors are starting to pack up. They’ll be willing to work out a deal if it means they don’t have to pack up an item and lug it home. This is also a good time to ask for a better price on multiple items.
Elizabeth Geddes is a regular House Proud contributor and the owner of Octavia & Brown, a shop which specializes in handpicked vintage finds for the home.
