On the outskirts of nearly every town across the U.S.,

especially in The spring, summer and fall, you will see a Flea

Market set-up. Often there will be hundreds of trailers, booths

and tables in a large field just off a major thoroughfare. How

do these people operate? Where do they get their merchandise?

Do they make any money?

Whether they make any money or not depends on the way each

individual merchant operates, what type of merchandise is

offered and how much time is devoted to the business.

Most of them set up their wares on weekends an spend the rest of

the week searching for goods to sell. Good antique dealers who

know their product generally make very good profits. Clothing

dealers, in the right location, can often bring in up to $600 on

a typical weekend.

Jewelry, including rings, various kinds of necklaces, and silver

The secret to making a profit in Flea Marketing is not what or

how you sell. It's what you buy and how you buy it! You must

find items which will sell for 8 to 10 times more than cost,

unless you have really favorable products that will sell in

large quantity. The products should be unusual; things which

can't be obtained locally, unless the price is substantially

below market.

You can get seconds and damaged goods direct from many factories

across the country, often at very little cost just to get them

out of their warehouse where they are taking up room and

gathering dust. Call on the managers in person or send letters

offering to purchase factory closets, etc. Hand out your

business cards letting people know that you are in the business

of purchasing various kinds of merchandise.

Auctions, garage sales and yard sales are other good sources.

Don't overlook the classifieds in the paper.

Offer to clean out attics and garages and haul "junk" away.

Many times the "junk" turns into the most lucrative profit

items. You will have to learn to "bargain" with the people on

all your purchases in order to get them to sell for a low

figure.