Flea Markets have something for everyone. You will find costume jewelry, house plants, new and old clothes, tons of pocket books in all sizes, colors and shapes, restored high dollar pinball machines and lots of just plain junk. Yes people try to sell you junk. Just make sure you don't buy any by taking the time to check items out well. On electrical items be sure that first of all you can plug them up to make sure they really do work. Look for frayed cords and if the item has a lot of parts make sure everything is there. Remember a tiny chip on a valuable pottery vase can mean hundreds of dollars in difference in the selling price.

Slow down and check out items carefully. And don't be afraid to haggle on the price. Keep a roll of ones in one pocket and a few fives in another. Often if a item if priced $6 to $10 you can say but $5 is all I have left pulling a five out of that pocket where your fives are. Quite often the person doing the selling will take your $5 offer. So remember haggle. And never pay the price first asked for by the seller.

Here's some great Flea Market Tips you can use.

1. Your flea market and yard sale planning should start on Friday. Be sure to purchase a book of the city maps of your area. Why people assume everyone knows where Gold Street is I don't know but if you have a book of city maps of your area you can find it quickly. And often if its a hard to find location you can beat a lot of other people there. Buy the local newspapers on Friday to look for the yard sales and flea markets listed for Saturday morning. Mark or circle the ones you are interested in.

2. It really helps to bring along a small magnifying glass so you can look for chips, cracks, names etc. Some people also carry a measuring tape also.

3. A small magnet will tell you almost at once if that item is truly silver or gold or if its silver or gold plated.

4. Make a list of the items you are looking for along with peoples clothing sizes you are looking for.

5. Remember always haggle on the price and if you can try to buy several items from one dealer. They will often make you a deal on several items where they wouldn't on one item.

6. Don't forget thrift and junk shops. You can often find some great items there especially in the cold of winter when not so many people may be selling at the flea market and almost no one has yard sales in the winter.

7. Be careful of reproductions. If you collect or want to collect for instance cast iron banks go to your local public library and become a expert on cast iron banks. Learn everything you can about them.

Do you have any flea market or yard sale comments, tips or suggestions why not post them below now. Let us hear from you.