Market v eBay

[sakic92710]

So, at a newly reopened flea market, after being shut down for 9 weeks, I had almost $200 in sales in just a few  short hours.  It was very quiet there.  VERY!   With MILLIONS of people on eBay, over the course of a normal 2-day weekend, I've sold a flickin' $3.00 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It's unnatural.   Good luck to us all.     🙂

[rebell45]

Everyone is out spending their money in the stores or left for summer vacation.

[katzrul15]

@sakic92710 

It has been a really quiet weekend for us as well. 

Glad you at least sold some things at the flea market?

Have never tried those.  Am guessing it is a lot of work to get your wares set up/tore down, etc?

[chapeau-noir]

I've done fleas, and the biggest hassle is getting my danged station wagon into the staging area so I can haul all my stuff to my spot.  There's always a big roiling mob at 0-dark-30 trying to get in and out.  Then I have to dump my stuff in a pile and go and park the thing.  I'm solo, though - it's easier if you have a few people doing it.

After that, it's not so bad.

ETA: Fleas are a lot of fun once you get going, but I probably won't be doing any this summer.

[sakic92710]

I have permanent indoor booths so once it's set up, you are done with it.  My only issue now is I am changing booths & have my space jammed up until I can get in to clean & organize.   🙂

[oldcoin007]

Hi - I say anywhere you can sell & get paid then & not have to worry later is a better bet than ebay.  L

[2013grotz]

Flea markets are usually fun, but a lot of work too as described.  Problem with them is you often have to match whatever the going thing is or you won't move a lot of product.  The ones I have access to set up in are mainly antique/collectible and folk art, so if you don't have that kind of stuff you're pretty much wasting your time.  I'd always joke "well at least I got enough to pay for my gas" by the time I got done...

[downunder-61]

You have found the best way to sell during the times online selling is slumped - summer and holidays.

Sounds like your set up is good (no help with the jammed up bit) but good for you. Perhaps other sellers may be able to do this as well and supplement the downfall here.

Good luck with it all, and being in the fresh air has to be plus too

[wastingtime101]

Hockey has a bigger market in Canada than the US.

There aren't any shipping costs to contend with when you sell locally.

[katzrul15]

We shared a booth in antique mall for a while - they had a section for sellers that had older, but perhaps not 'antique' items.  Thankfully, the person I shared it with was there a lot and keeping track of things.  She passed during covid and the antique mall was recently sold.  It is now an BBQ/ice cream place.  lol  

All of her stuff(s) and mine are all in boxes in our storage area.  Have thought about doing a couple of outdoor sales that are coming up this summer - one is at the fairgrounds.  Just not really my comfort zone.  Have no idea how you do this by yourself.  I keep trying to get DD to consider doing one with me to test how it goes.  No dice.  

[coolections]

Apples to oranges. People would much rather buy an item they can view and have it "in hand" rather than paying outrageous prices sellers asks on line and very high Canada shipping cost.

[postingid7659]

I went to a car show last weekend (the 6th) and set up kind of a lighter than normal arrangement, since I don't have a hitch on my current vehicle and my trailer needs a bit of work after sitting 18 months.

I sold about the same as years past when I did that show, not a lot, but okay.  

Our flea market has picked up for the summer but I don't set up there, it's too expensive, I did it once several years back and didn't even sell my spot price.  $75 if you don't have your own liability insurance.  No one else is like that.  

[sakic92710]

LOL  I wouldn't talk about the PO coming from a country with a third world PO called USPS.

[ymi-03]

Congratulation. I will also try like you and everyone else.

[forward-motion]

One good thing here is it never rains.