Three times a year the modest population of the town of Brimfield in Massachusetts explodes from only a little over 3,000 to a whopping 250,000 or more. All of this is thanks to the Brimfield Flea Market event held during Labor Day, Memorial Day, and July 4th. With over 5,000 vendors coming from different parts of the world, the place becomes a haven of countless antiquities and rarities.
But of course, amidst the crowd of thousands there is bound to be a few that are outstanding among the rest. In which case, would you not want to get your hands on the best finds in every Brimfield Flea Market event?? While timing and luck may be part of the game, one factor is skill.
And to impart you with some skills on how to nail down the right items, here are some tips for you to remember:
Look, Feel, And Touch
Alright, so that is one pretty antique the vendor got there. But just because it looks so intimidating with the way it is so eye-catching, do not be afraid to touch and feel it. Turn it up, check all sides, and examine each detail. But of course, try to be careful. Mostly, the rule ‘you break it you pay for it’ usually applies.
So what are you going to look for? Check for cracks, faded parts, possible damages, and fragility. Even if it looks intact, are there indications that it might start breaking soon?
Ask And Ask Questions
But your eyes can be so easily deceived, especially if you are new at this. Simple paints and touchups can temporarily hide imperfections that would otherwise cut the value in half. So ask questions and inquire about damages and repairs done on the item.
Sometimes, vendors can be so clever about not telling you anything because you did not ask. While shopping in Brimfield Flea Market, do not feel awkward about asking because you are the one spending.
Go For More Discounts
It can be so annoying to pay for something beyond its rightful price if you can acquire it for so much less. Usually, merchants mark up the value beyond regular price to allow a safety net for people who ask for discounts like you. So keep asking for a lower price if at all possible.
And do not offer a price upfront. Let them tell the prices. If you name your price, it would be hard to ask for a discounted that is lower that your previous offer. Brimfield Flea Market can hold special items but discount simply makes them better.
Ask For A Descriptive Receipt
Still, things can get quite ugly even after you thought you bought exactly what you wanted. So just in case, make sure that you ask for a receipt so you can claim for your rights as a buyer. Merchants in Brimfield Flea Market should be able to issue a legal proof of purchase.
And to make this really work, ask the seller to include a detailed description of the item in the receipt. This should include the quality and state of the item such as damages, condition, and others.
And there you go. With these simple tips, it will be a lot easier for you to sniff out the best ones among the thousands. But here is one last tip which should matter a lot – only buy what you like.
