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Possible new direction
‘I have an idea, forming in my head.’
- Og, Time Bandits (1981)
Time Bandits is one of my all-time favorite movies. Directed by Terry Gilliam, it also stars fellow Pythoners John Cleese and Michael Palin (who also co-wrote the movie). And it’s really the writing that makes this movie, in my opinion. The special effects are great for 1981, and the story is interesting and unique — a true dark comedy — but the writing is spot on:
Wally: Lads! Here’s to stinking rich!
All: Yeah!
Fidgit: And to Kevin.
All: Yeah, Kevin!
Og: Stinking Kevin.
In the midst of my job hunting, I’ve started to shift gears a little. My beautiful wife already runs a website selling ‘alternative’ clothing (think urban hippie). A friend of mine supplies the clothes and accessories, and it’s really her website, where she can refer her store customers and potential wholesale customers. Our business arrangement is pretty cool for us: she gives us what she wants to have online, and if it sells, we pay her the difference between the wholesale price and the retail price. This last weekend, we went to an indoor/outdoor flea market in Tacoma (about twenty minutes from our house). It got me thinking: what if we bought more clothes at wholesale prices from my friend, and then sold them at the flea market every weekend? Could we make enough money to survive and make our own business profitable?
Julia loves going to the flea market, and I kind of like the idea of having a booth. The fee is $20 a day for a space (almost nothing), and I think we have enough cash in our business account to get started. I wouldn’t give up looking for a job, but if we can make decent money at the market, maybe that could become my new career. ‘Flea Market Guy’. ‘Marketing Flea Professional’. ‘Retail Flea Sales Consultant’. Hmm, I might have to work on the verbiage for my resume…
What do you think? Has anyone tried selling at the flea market/swap meet? Any tips for newbies?
Posted: February 16th, 2009 under employment.
Comments
Comment from Sprite’s Keeper
Time February 16, 2009 at 10:48 am
My mom had a shop in the flea market for a few years and loved it while she ran it. She dealt in the little dust collectors, the sparkly schmatah that graces curio cabinets. I think the rage moved on though, and she did too, but flea markets are a treasure trove for some. If you have a high traffic flea market, you may do very well. I hope you succeed!
Comment from Sarah
Time February 16, 2009 at 10:55 am
What about ebay? I know this woman who buys wholesale big lots of kid’s designer clothes and then sells each money indivdully. All it takes is an ebay page and probably an intial investment for the clothes. It might be worth checking into? Good luck!!
Comment from Pseudo
Time February 16, 2009 at 10:57 am
Serendipitydoda! I went to the flea market (AKA swap meet) on Sturday with an out of town friend. Had not been in years. There was a lot of cool stuff there.
I also have a friend whose MIL goes to garage sales and buys stuff really cheap and takes the stuff to the flea market and sells it for a decent profit.
Glad to see your creative juices fowing again GF!
Comment from Anndi
Time February 16, 2009 at 11:17 am
I don’t have any experience in it, but there are tons of people doing that… can’t be a disaster.
Scope out your market and see if you have the “target” clientele in that area that justifies keeping stock. Maybe work out an arrangement with your friend to try it out? You never know, she might be willing to have you sell a broader variety of items?
Good luck!
Comment from BedsideTalesMan
Time February 16, 2009 at 11:17 am
I have not done it before…but let me know how it goes…I am looking too and I’d gladly be the Flea Guy!
Comment from stoneskin
Time February 16, 2009 at 11:24 am
I like Flea Guy. Or what about Flea Bag? Hmm, may be hard to get a good name…
Comment from WickedStepMom
Time February 16, 2009 at 11:26 am
Never tried it. A friend of mine use to sell home made candles at an indoor flea market close to me. She had a booth year round but then had to cut back to only during the holidays because the cost of the booth (more than $20) was too much for what little she sold during the off season. Not sure if she is still making candles, but she was very successful for a while.
Comment from Jan
Time February 16, 2009 at 11:34 am
“So you’re all robbers, are you? Jolly good!”
I made The Young One sit down and watch The Princess Bride last night; after much bitching and moaning over watching a movie that had the words “Princess” and “Bride” in them, the kid did a really good job of eating crow and admitting The Old Lady has good taste in films. Time Bandits will be next, I think.
I have no experience with the Flea Market thing. But it’s good to have you back, dear.
Comment from blissfully caffeinated
Time February 16, 2009 at 11:47 am
First, can I tell you how much I freaking love Time Bandits? Great movie!
I’ve never done the flea market thing, but I did own my own clothing boutique, and I say GO FOR IT. Might as well, when the booth is only $20 bucks.
Suggestions: Get a merchant account and credit card machine so you can process credit cards, and if you are getting good traffic, try adding other clothes and jewelry.
There is tons of really inexpensive wholesale stuff to be had out there and things like hats, scarves and bangles are big sellers. Email me if you want some vendors that you can order from online. Or you can go to LA to and fill up suitcases at Santee Alley.
Also, if your friend’s stuff is handmade, try Etsy. Easy and cheap.
Good luck!
Comment from Stepping Thru
Time February 16, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Sounds like a great idea if you don’t mind standing around a lot and if you don’t get frustrated easily. I love flea markets and I am always looking for a bargain. Good luck!
Comment from For Myself
Time February 16, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I just HAVE to thinkflea markets are the direction things are going. I mean who the heck can go to Nordstrom’s in an economy like this? People are becoming more practical, right? And you can’t beat the rent! Imagine the people you’ll meet, too. Do you really have anything to lose?
Comment from Michele
Time February 16, 2009 at 12:48 pm
I used to own a coffee roasting business up there. We would go to the Kent market every week during the season. It was great advertising and a lot of fun. Go for it. Bliss had some great advice.
Comment from Captain Dumbass
Time February 16, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Do you have a laptop? Get a wireless card and work the blog into the flea market somehow.
Comment from thistle
Time February 16, 2009 at 1:21 pm
$20 is a bloody good price for a spot…
lots of good advice here from your commenters, i think flea markets will be the way to go for awhile, they say shabby chic is about to make a reappearnace because of the economy so why not cash in…kid’s stuff (toys and clothes) will likely esp in demand as the little beggars will insist on growing 
and ‘Marketing Flea Professional’ would be my pic
Comment from BIG PAPA
Time February 16, 2009 at 2:47 pm
you strike me as somoene who’d be great with people. i say go for it. and $20 is nothing, seriously.
Comment from foradifferentkindofgirl (fadkog)
Time February 16, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I haven’t seen Time Bandits in forever. I need to put that on a list!
I say if the fee is $20 a day, it’s worth a shot to see if it’s something that starts to feel natural to you all, and could really open yourself up to new ways to think outside the box in the whole career front.
Comment from Sammanthia
Time February 16, 2009 at 5:19 pm
$20 a day doesn’t seem like a bad price, so I say go for it. Good luck!
Comment from Petra a.k.a. The Wise (Young) Mommy
Time February 16, 2009 at 6:18 pm
I don’t know about flea markets and swap meets but I think e-bay is the way to go. I have sold a lot of my daughter’s clothes that were kept in almost new condition. If she needs any help, send her my way!!
Comment from Fragrant Liar
Time February 16, 2009 at 6:32 pm
What’s the worst that can happen? I say, go for it. You never know what big idea will grow out of that, and then the next big idea, etc. The fact that you are not sitting with your thumb up your bum and you are doing things is a great indicator that you will MAKE things happen for yourself. Good luck!
Comment from Smart Mouth Broad
Time February 16, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I think it sounds like a great idea but what do I know. I have zero experience in this area but I think it sounds like great fun. You’ll be wonderful with the people and it just might turn out to be wonderful! If not, it’s something to keep the cash coming while you are still looking. Good luck! I love flea markets btw!
Comment from ash
Time February 16, 2009 at 7:13 pm
I don’t know a thing about flea markets but I do know that with two little ones, you might want to consider selling items they’ve outgrown and toys they no longer use! People can make a pretty good chunk of change that way. Check out local Just Between Friends events or find a consignment store that pays outright!
Comment from Midlife Slices
Time February 16, 2009 at 8:19 pm
I’ve had booths at various markets and loved it. Here’s what i learned. Make your booth inviting and don’t make them walk around you to look. Get out of their way and open up the booth so they’ll wander in and browse. Be friendly but don’t be pushy. I loved meeting new people and had a blast. Good luck to your and Julia. I’m betting you’ll do great at this new venture.
Comment from elizabeth channel
Time February 16, 2009 at 9:07 pm
You never know! It’s funny how these things work. I started selling books online after grad school just to unload them, and here ten years later I’m still selling books online.
Comment from jessica
Time February 16, 2009 at 10:22 pm
any chance u could buy a small amount of the clothing and do the market two or three times and see how it goes. My only worry is it is still cold and if you can wait until it warms up a bit more people will likely come out and shop
Comment from Elise
Time February 17, 2009 at 7:50 am
Post some pictures of the clothes. You could maybe do some sales through your blog. Pay pal seems easy?
Comment from vodkamom
Time February 18, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I ADORE flea markets!!! ( How do you think I stocked my circus?)
Comment from HeatherPride
Time February 19, 2009 at 7:07 am
I’ve never done it, but it sounds like a blast!! I would love that to be my new career! I could wear my hair in braids and put on some Birkenstocks and spike my coffee with something other than creamer! I must know how this goes for you!
Comment from Mama Dawg
Time February 16, 2009 at 10:47 am
I can’t help you but I’m glad to see you’re thinking outside the box to try to get funds kickin’ again. Good luck! I think it’s a great idea!