Flea markets, popular places to find treasures - especially in a recession. What are flea markets? They are gathering places for traders, small businesses and individuals to sell their wares for a price. Do not be fooled, every price is negotiable.

One thing you need to remember when flea marketing is not to necessarily go looking for one particular item. You may walk away from a great deal or a fantastic item just because you were looking for that piece. Keep your mind open to possibilities. This happened to me in the past. Now, I go with an idea or style. Many times I go to just poke around. This opens your mind to all sorts of ideas.

What do you do once you find an item that you adore? First, do not let them know how much you love the item. Second, if the item is not priced, ask. Do not assume that the item is too expensive. Just ask. Third, if they ask what would you pay for the item. Tell them that you do not have a base line to negotiate. Ask what it is worth to them. When they give you a price, knock it in half. They will probably not go for it. But there are times they will. Then, you have a sale. If they laugh, laugh too. Joke with them. Then ask for a counter-offer. This can go on for a short time or for a long time. If you just can not get them down, but you really want the item. At this point, you decide if it is something you really want. Many times you will get to pay what you want and be a winner. Congratulations on your parting gift.

If the item has a price, do the same thing. Ask if they will take less. What you need to remember is that they are there during their spare time to go home with less than they brought. This is where you have the advantage. Take the advantage.

I want you to realize that just because it is deemed a collectable or antique does not mean you need to pay an arm and/or leg for the item. It is only collectable or an antique if it is deemed a wanted item, plus many more other rules to this which I will get to in another article. Many will add collectable or antique to justify raising of prices. Do not fall for this, if however, you have questions on whether it is or isn’t - do what I do. I carry a laptop in my car with a sprint card to go on the internet. I will go to the car and search. With technology, this is possible.

In ending, the most important reason to go to a flea market is to have fun. It should not leave you stressed. I can walk away with a truck full or empty handed. No matter what, I had fun.