Photo credit: @highlandyardvintagemarket
The weather is finally cooling off and it’s my favorite time of year-vintage market season!!! Fall festivals, pop ups, farmer’s markets, vintage fairs, I love them all! Sometimes, there may even be a little too much goodness, and can even be overwhelming. So how do you navigate it all? I was recently at Highland Vintage Market in Chandler, AZ and I used these 7 steps to successfully navigate the vintage market.
1) Follow the Event on Social Media
If the event you are planning to attend has a social media page, like or follow it. There are often contests or drawings that you can enter through their page. The planner of the event will post important information, such as a location change or weather cancellation. And most importantly, you can often get a sneak peak of the vendors and displays that will be there and begin to plan.
Photo credit: @highlandyardvintagemarket
2) Plan Ahead
If you see something you have to have in one of the pictures, better get there first thing to find it!
See that pillow in the top left corner of the picture that has a big circle around it? That was one of the things that I spotted on the event’s Facebook page that I really wanted. I was not the first in line but was in line by the time it opened. I made my way quickly through the market until I spotted it. Side note-if you find something that you want, or might want, while your rushing to grab your must have item, grab it! Even if you’re not 100%, keep it in your hot little hands until you decide for sure. I can almost guarantee that if you go back to find it, it will be gone. There’s nothing worse than the feeling of the one that got away! As I was rushing through, my eye spotted one of those little antique flower frogs. They are everywhere, but can be pricey and I’m particular about the finish. This one was $10, and I wasn’t sure that I wanted to pay that much. But as I got halfway down the market I decided I had to have it and went back, and alas it was gone. I broke my own advice and didn’t keep my hands on it.
Photo credit: @highlandyardvintagemarket
3) Make a List
I have an ever-running-always-growing mental wish list of things I am on the hunt for. Tell me I’m not alone! An antique buffet is one of them. This particular one was over my price range. I do try and stay focused on my wish list and only buy the things that are on my list if they are in the range that I want to pay. It’s easy to get sidetracked and end up spending a lot of money on trivial things instead of things that you really want. I have done that too many times!
Photo credit: @highlandyardvintagemarket
4) Be Methodical
Once I have grabbed all of the things that I originally spotted on social media and on my wish list,
I go back through from the beginning in an organized and methodical way. I start at the entrance and go row by row, the right side of the row first, and then the left. Once I have made my way through methodically, I do it one more time in case I missed anything, and this time I make sure that I look up. The best things are often up high or tucked away! If it is a large venue, I try to allow myself two hours to get through. I don’t always have two hours, but if I do, it’s usually enough time to adequately see everything.
Photo credit: @highlandyardvintagemarket
5) Keep Track of What You are Spending
Many markets have employees walking around who offer to take your treasures out of your hands for you and put them at the checkout. While this can be very handy and helpful, beware! This is a tried and true tactic so that you don’t pay attention to how much you are spending. It’s genius really! To avoid any shock that you may have when you get to the check out and get your total, either don’t allow your things to be taken, or keep track of your total. I am usually so side tracked and distracted (while being focused!) when shopping that I would never remember my running total on my own, so I try to remember to put it in the notes section on my phone. Another good idea is take a picture of your treasure before they put it up front in case it gets lost. My treasures have been put in someone else’s cubby more than a few times, and then I’m describing it to the cashier while the line is getting held up, and a lynch mob forms behind me. Not to mention my must have item is lost!!!
Photo credit: @highlandyardvintagemarket
6) Check the Back of the Treasure
ALWAYS look at the back of the item before you commit to it. Often, there will be markings that can tell you the year it was made, or the brand, or the country it came from. I love to know a little of the story of something and be able to research it online. This can often tell you if it’s a true antique or reproduction. There are so many reproductions out there it can be almost impossible to tell. Now this may come as a shock to you, but SO OFTEN these items will come straight from Hobby Lobby, and many times the vendor forgets to even take the tag off!!! I can’t tell you how many times I see things from Hobby Lobby, with the price tag still on them. My friend purchased a large metal sign from an upscale vintage boutique in her area. I don’t know how much it cost, but I’m sure it was a pretty penny. Guess where it came from???
7) Have Fun!
Finally, it’s always more fun with friends! I hope these tips and tricks help you navigate through your next vintage market! Tell me how it goes, and what treasures you find!
Such great advice
Thanks so much, Sarah! I really appreciate it! I hope it helps you shop at your next market!
Oh, how I miss going to the vintage markets this year! I can relate to “the one that got away”. I made that mistake at a show a few years ago and I still think about the item I went back for that was gone…it was a vintage school map on a stand. Let’s pray that next year we’ll be able to attend vintage markets again! Thanks for sharing your tips 🙂
Doesn’t that stink when we let one go! Yes, I’m praying that next year things are back to normal!
That was a great idea you shared for checking online to make a list of items to buy. It’s so much easier to make a decision when you have more time to think it through!
Thank you, Heidi! I learned from my mistakes on missing out on something!