Side Gig Spotlight: 8 Brilliant Ways To Make Money at Your Local Flea Market (2024)

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Reviewed
by Experts

See Also

8 Best Flea Markets in Rome for Vintage and AntiquesThe best markets in RomeThe best flea markets in RomeThe Best Flea Markets in Rome | The Roman Food Tour

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

The United States has over 1,100 active flea markets with over 2 million vendors, pulling in $36.5 billion in sales annually. Thinking about getting started with this side hustle at your local flea market? Maybe you have an eye for vintage furniture, or maybe you have family members with attics and basem*nts full of cool old stuff they want to get rid of. If you enjoy being outdoors, negotiating prices, and wearing a fanny pack full of $1s and $5s, you’re already halfway there.

Some people on Reddit say they typically make anywhere from $200 to $800 per weekend, depending on what they’re selling and the market. Many sellers use flea markets to clear out old inventory, a double benefit for their storefront or eBay businesses. Some report making more at the flea market than they do at their day jobs, though nearly everyone admits that flea market selling can be a lot of work, time consuming and physically tiring.

But if flea markets interest you as a side gig, take a look at these eight ways to make money at your local flea market.

Also see six ways to earn extra cash with seasonal side gigs.

Do Your Research

Before you rent a booth or start collecting inventory, it’s important to visit several markets in your area. Go on different days and at different times. Keep notes about which booths have a lot of interest, lines and sales. See who has a particular niche and who stocks a little bit of everything. (Both strategies can work!) Look at pricing and any signage or displays that stand out. Also note whether there is more than one person manning a booth. If you have to hire someone to help, that will eat into your profits.

For items you already have, troll for comparable items on eBay and Google and find out whether they’ve sold in the past 90 days, so you know whether there is a demand. Regular sellers advise always selling items at flea markets for cheaper than they can be found on eBay, or they won’t sell.

Ready to sell? Since there’s a lot of elbow grease involved, it makes sense to start simple and see what works, and then build from there.

Consider Your Setup

Once you’ve done your research and are starting to plan out your booth, think about how you’ll set it up to create a positive experience. People love to root through boxes and feel like they are discovering something unique. Set up $1 toy bins, $2 containers of rings, or $5 T-shirt or vinyl record boxes.

Make your money work for you

Get the latest news on investing, money, and more with our free newsletter.

By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Thanks!

You're now subscribed to our newsletter. Check your inbox for more details.

See Also

The 11 Must-Visit Markets In Rome

You can also play music that matches the vibe of your wares and hang up eye-catching signs. As reported by Invoca, “74% of consumers are at least somewhat likely to buy based on experiences alone,” so it’s important to create an experience that your customers will enjoy.

Capitalize On Something You Already Do

A great option for making money at a flea market is utilizing something you already do. Maybe you have a knack for making things, for example. If so, you can make products to sell at flea markets.

If you’re into graphic design, you can print cards and posters. If you do woodworking, think of making simple and beautiful cutting boards or toys, or flipping used furniture.

Consider a Service

You can also think about offering a service rather than a product. For example, a 15-minute massage booth, a mini portrait studio, henna art or face painting for kids can all enhance the vibes of a cool flea market. Plus, they are low-overhead businesses that bring in customers.

Sell Different Types of Items

If making your own items or providing services aren’t your thing, there are plenty of different items you can sell at flea markets instead.

Sell Kids’ Toys

Low-priced kids’ toys can be sourced from thrift stores or free bins, and they tend to sell well. Kids will drag their parents to your booth for a quick impulse buy.

It’s important to keep any breakable collectibles or antique toys out of reach, though.

Sell Baskets or Bags

Some vendors suggest selling baskets or bags for use at the flea market. As people stock up on other items, the utility of a cute bag or woven basket with handles becomes obvious.

Sell Baked Goods

Sometimes the best sellers at the flea market aren’t typical vintage wares at all. A brilliant alternative is baked goods.

One person on Reddit had great success selling baked goods at their local market. In their experience, food can sell better than other items, especially when it’s something that’s “impossible for someone to walk past,” like cupcakes or doughnuts. They suggested investing in “quality pictures of your products so people can see from a distance and will walk over.”

Make sure to check state and local requirements about food safety and use of home kitchens, though.

Sell Plants

From bonsai trees to herb and vegetable starts, plants can be an unconventional seller at the flea market. Terrariums can be made cheaply with reclaimed materials, and greenery always stands out in a sea of booths.

“Creating colorful, well-coordinated plant displays will help you draw customers into your flea market space. Consider grouping plants by color, as some gardeners prefer to cluster similar-colored flowers together for maximum effect,” per Chron.

Get Ready To Make Money at Flea Markets

With these tips in hand, you’ll be ready to make flea markets a side gig and make some extra money — whether you sell homemade items or items you’ve found elsewhere.

It’s important to note, though, that while it might be tempting to invest in buying a pallet or lot of items such as tools or electronics from an auction house or liquidator, flea markets can be notoriously hard places to move these items. So be sure to do your due diligence when selecting items to sell.