Swap Meets: A low-cost way to break into retail business!

A SWAP MEET is an informal gathering for the barter or sale of electronics, clothes, furniture, handicrafts, T-shirts, sunglasses, used items, knickknacks, collectibles, toys, kitchen items and so on. 

You may sometimes see vendors selling new products or even trading discontinued goods. Swap meets are where people come together to swap and purchase items they no longer want or need. A swap meet is similar to a flea market if you bring your items to sell. A swap meet is a perfect way to get rid of unwanted items and replace them with something you are going to use or sell. Swapping or bartering for trade was at one point forgotten about. Since our economy has gotten worse, people have begun to realize that they need to change the way they spend money. By realizing this it has brought back trading and swap meets around the world. Swap meets are enticing because you don’t need money to attend or receive new items.

A flea market, also known as a swap meet, is a place where vendors come to sell their goods. A place for like-minded individuals to greet and meet. Establishing connections for great friendships. The goods are usually inexpensive and range in quality depending on several factors which might include; urban or rural location of the flea market, part of the country that you are in, or popularity/size of the flea market. Flea market shopping is a popular pastime for many people in the Western world. 

The first step is to research your local flea market. Shop the market to get a feel for the customers, the booth design/setup and the kinds of products that sell well, paying special attention to vendors in your same category. Determine who your competition is, and then you can make your offering a bit different or a bit better. In terms of booth design, don't just lay your merchandise on tables and on the ground. Design a display that is both welcoming and attractive to customers.

Once you start selling, remember that it's all about value and great one-on-one customer service. The right balance can help you turn your flea-market business into a larger retail enterprise. After purchasing quality products from local and international wholesalers, if a customer comes to your booth, never let him or her go without buying.

Flea markets can be just the springboard you need into retailing. The entrepreneurs that are the best at flea-market selling will go through this life cycle--you'll start selling, then establish a permanent booth and then, over time, if you make the decision, you will find many different outlets for your businesses, like online stores and brick-and-mortar storefronts. There are phenomenal success stories out there along those lines.