The Small Business Administration estimates that 95% of all new small businesses close their doors within the first year. That doesn't sound very encouraging. How would you like to start your own business that is almost 100% guaranteed to succeed? How would you like to sell at flea markets?
I am talking about starting an actual business, your own flea market and swap meet business, of course. It's a very easy business to start compared to a brick and mortar business in a strip mall.
There is no long-term lease to sign, no long search for the right location, no large expense for fixtures and shelves, no utilities to pay for and no need to spend thousands of dollars before you open the doors and make your first dollar.
There are no employees, no employee payroll taxes and no workman's comp to pay.
You can start a flea market business with a lot less financial risk and trouble. Most can be started with less than $1,000. I started mine with only $200 and have made as much as a thousand dollars in only one day.
This business is nothing more than a proprietorship owned and operated by just one or two people. It operates on a basic concept: buy merchandise at the lowest price and sell it for more than your cost.
Many vendors sell used items. The more successful vendors sell brand new merchandise, many times the same items you've seen on the shelves in K-Mart or Target.
Selling new items means you can always order more for next weekend. Not so with used items.
Selling is as easy as saying hello to someone when they walk up to your table. Be helpful and friendly and you will make money.
The majority of flea market vendors buy their merchandise from import companies who sell to them at wholesale prices. It is also possible to buy items on sale from retail stores and sell them at the flea market for more than your cost.
Arrive at the market early in the morning on Saturday, rent a space and set your merchandise on the table. Selling is as easy as just saying hello or good morning to people when they walk over to look at what you have.
Merchandise will be your largest expense, perhaps 90% of your investment. Space rent is minimal, as little as $5 a day to as much as $50-$75 a day. The average costs are usually around $25 per space per day.
It is quite easy to double and triple your money at flea markets and swap meets. Buying your merchandise at the lowest cost allows you to sell it for two to three times that cost and still keep your prices less than retail stores.
In the beginning, put all of the profit back into your business by buying as much merchandise as you can afford for the next weekend. After doing so for a month or two, you will be able to begin keeping the profit for yourself without hurting your business. It will become self-sustaining.
You will discover that a flea market or swap meet business is easy and affordable to establish, easy to operate and can provide you a good steady income each weekend.
Copyright 2008 by Allen Farlow. All rights reserved.
Allen Farlow has been a professional flea market and swap meet vendor since 1996. Learn how to earn a very good income by reading his blog: http://www.sellatfleamarkets.blogspot.com
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