Category: Shopping | Your Trash is My Treasure

Having grown fond of scouring the markets, shops, estate sales, and other open spaces for a good deal, I have learned a few things. So I figured I could share some tips. Here are some things that I have learned throughout the years. Some are things I wished I had learned sooner rather than later. Still reminiscing on that blue, satin sofa I should have came back for!

1. Be There Early! And Late…?
  1. Of course the best stuff will be available in the morning. Having first pick should definitely be a top priority. On the other hand, better sales will be available later in the day. Flea markets, estate sales, garage sales, and the like are all designed to sell unwanted stuff. When owners see a large surplus of items at the end of the day, they are much more likely to put it on discount and potentially more susceptible to bartering. Which brings us to my next point…
2. Bartering
  1. Bartering can be a good or a bad idea. It all depends on the seller, and if they’re open to negotiation or not. My guide is to always ask. You will never get a sale if you don’t try. Make a reasonable offer and don’t try to insult the items for a better price. Insulting items will usually get you a tough rebuttal from the current owner/seller. Some may even refuse to sell to you.
  2. Some people will place a ND for No Discount tag on items
3. Get Out of a Big City
  1. In cities like New York or Brooklyn, the competition for antiques/thrifting is stiff. Instead of battling the city dwellers, go out to the country side to find new items. In smaller cities, the thrift communities are teeming with opportunities and new items to find. Bring your car so you can safely get home all your treasures!
  2. Do your research and keep an eye on what is going to be auctioned off at Estate Sales.
4. Keep Trying and Keep Looking!
  1. Good deals are everywhere waiting to be found and the only way to find them is to keep looking! Some days, I find all the things I want and more. Other days, I spend hours roaming through inventories not finding anything I like. That is part of the fun! Regardless if I buy anything or not it’s always a treat to look through old treasures. I love thinking about where these objects have been and the lives these objects had before coming into contact with me. Hopefully imaginging an item´s backstory will help motivate you as you continue to persist in your bargain hunting!

Continue reading “Tips and Tricks for Bargain Hunting!”

New York is, of course, the place to make a designer purchase, whether it be a clutch bag, a pair of pants, a hat, shoes, or a suit.

It’s also a great place for grabbing yourself a fine piece of vintage clothing, from earrings to dresses to original mini skirts and 60s hippie robes. Furniture, too, can be found in every style under the sun, and from every era. Just head to one of the flea markets on this list and you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes.

A day trip to NYC is always cool, and booking one of the various Hourly Hotels in NYC with Day Break Hotels is even cooler, especially on a hot summer’s day or cold winter’s one. An Hourly Hotel gives you a room to get freshened up in during the day – you can even get some shut eye – but the price is low and the benefit is that you can recharge, giving you enough energy to hunt for bargains at more than one flea market in a single trip.

Here’s a ‘top three’ featuring some of the very best flea markets in the city, then, which, depending on your preferences, will surely yield some fabulous treasures.

GRAND BAZAAR

One of the oldest flea markets in the city, Grand Bazaar is also the largest. With over 100 vendors, you’re sure to find that pair of 1950s Audrey Hepburn-style gloves or Cary Grant-era fedora hat. You can also purchase furniture, ornaments, photographs, and art.
When: every Sunday, from 10am – 5.30pm

Where: Columbus Ave, 100 W 77th St.

Website: https://grandbazaarnyc.org

BROOKLYN FLEA

Founded in 2008, Brooklyn Flea occurs these days in two locations, meaning a whole weekend of vintage wonderment if you choose to venture forth to both. Jewelry, clothing, furniture, and bric-a-brac are the order of the day here, and artisan food vendors add a lot to the overall experience, too.

When: Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 5pm

Where: Sat – Williamsburg, Sun – Dumbo

Website: http://brooklynflea.com

CHELSEA FLEA MARKET

Taking place on both Saturday and Sunday, this cheerful Chelsea market is all about antiques, collectibles, and oddities. Some of the items are over 100 years old, making it an Instragrammer’s idea of heaven.
When: Saturday and Sunday, 6.30am – 7pm

Where: 29 West 25th Street, between Broadway and Sixth Avenue

Website: http://www.annexmarkets.com/chelsea-flea-market

Masks at Chelsea (Photo: Carl Mikoy)

These flea markets are free to attend, although Chelsea charges a $1 entry which goes to a charitable cause.
Happy shopping!