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Flea Markets
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Farmers Markets
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Selling at a Flea Market in Minnesota
With the economy so tight more and more people are attending flea markets and shopping at flea markets for bargains. It is a perfect time to become a flea market vendor and make some extra money selling items you may have that you no longer need. Selling at a flea market is like a giant garage sale where the customers walk up and down aisles of vendors. I've been selling at flea markets for over 30 years and hope to answer some of your questions about being a vendor at a flea market.Do I Need a License to Sell at a Flea Market?
To start selling at a flea market as a vendor in Minnesota you need a Minnesota tax id number. Anyone who is a vendor of a flea market, swap meet, antique or collectors show, craft fair or county fair must register with the State of Minnesota before the event begins. In fact, most vendor applications ask for your tax id number and will not let you sell at a flea market or event without it. It's easy and takes about 10 minutes to register for a Minnesota ID number online at: www.taxes.state.mn.us or by calling 651-282-5225 or toll-free 1-800-657-3605. The information you'll need is owners name, Social Security number, business address and phone number. You might be exempt from registering for a tax id under certain conditions. There is a fact sheet that explains everything you need to know about selling at a flea market as far as whether you need a tax id or you are exempt at Minnesota Dept. of Revenue
Are There Any Fees to Sell at a Flea Market?
Most flea markets rent booth spaces that are predetermined sizes lined up in rows sometimes called stalls even though they have no walls. These booth spaces are usually a car length wide and most people park their cars right in their booth space. Booth space fees vary from $10 per day for a flea market to several hundred dollars a day for a fair or collectors show. There is also the option to rent a double booth which is two booths next to each other if you have that much stuff.
What Does a Vendor Need at a Flea Market?
To display your merchandise at the flea market you need fold up tables. Some of the fancier booths use table cloths or sheets but it is not necessary. A pop up canopy tent is good to keep you cool and keep the sun from shining on your merchandise if you plan on selling at flea markets often this becomes a needed asset on hot days when people gather under shady areas. It's a great idea to bring a comfortable fold up chair because you will be standing on your feet the whole time otherwise. You will need change in small denominations like plenty of single dollar bills, five dollar bills and coins. A small notebook and pen comes in handy to record your flea market sales. Don't forget to have your sales id certificate handy incase the owners of the flea market ask for it, and sometimes they do. You will also want to bring some food and drink because food vendors are expensive and you do not want to blow all your profits on purchasing food. If your items are not already marked with prices you'll need supplies to price items such as a marker and stickers or masking tape to write prices on.
What Can You Sell at Flea Markets?
Flea Market Vendors sell new and used items in the following categories:
Furniture - chairs, shelves
Small appliances - blenders, toasters
White elephant gifts - a great way to recycle unwanted gifts
Books - paperback and hardcovers
Jewelry - costume
Antiques
Sports equipment
Hardware
Sunglasses
Plants
Household stuff - glassware, utensils, china, nick-nacks
Children's toys
Baby equipment
DVD/CD's
Clothing - new, used
Shoes
Patio equipment
Tools
Collector's items
Memorabilia
Etc.
What Should I Sell at The Flea Market?
Visit the flea market that you are thinking about being a vendor at and ask the organizers what types of products sell well and which items are not selling well there. A quick walk around to all the booths will tell you what others are selling and what booths are getting all the attention. If there are 20 people selling purses then you probably should not sell purses. If you are selling used items you can always ask your family, friends and neighbors if they have anything that they don't want that you can sell. Talk to local crafters and ask if they would like to sell anything at your booth. You can also get merchandise to sell from surplus liquidators and wholesalers from these links:
I hope that you have found this information useful and that you are successful at making some extra money as a vendor at your local flea market. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments about www.mnfleamarkets.com by using the "email us" link at the top of the page.
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Flea Markets
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