Category: FAQ

“Where Do I Start with Buying Second-Hand Furniture?" 

Karen Jones

Creative Artisan
Title

Question

I want to buy some second-hand furniture. Where do I start? 

Answer

I absolutely love second-hand furniture shopping, and finding a gem is such a thrill. Picture a lovely sunny day and hundreds of antique and vintage stands to rummage through. Bliss. My favourite is the Malvern Flea Market (pictured below). Here are my top tips for buying at fairs and markets.

Get there early

Firstly, arrive early – all the traders who buy and sell antiques and collectibles are not just there to sell, they are there to buy too and if the fair starts at 7.30am get yourself in the queue! I used to go later, and all the good stuff and bargains would disappear in the first few hours, snapped up by eagle-eyed enthusiasts, interior designers, and the trade buyers.

Do a quick scan 

Next – the quick scan! Walk the aisles quickly and scanning both sides and then only stop when you see something that catches your eye, because chances are they will have more of the items you like. If the prices are way too high, move on to the next.

Get there early

Firstly, arrive early – all the traders who buy and sell antiques and collectibles are not just there to sell, they are there to buy too and if the fair starts at 7.30am get yourself in the queue! I used to go later, and all the good stuff and bargains would disappear in the first few hours, snapped up by eagle-eyed enthusiasts, interior designers, and the trade buyers.

Do a quick scan 

Next – the quick scan! Walk the aisles quickly and scanning both sides and then only stop when you see something that catches your eye, because chances are they will have more of the items you like. If the prices are way too high, move on to the next.

Don’t forget to barter

The art of bartering – some people find this really uncomfortable so choose a way that suits you and be prepared to walk away as there will be something else with the same appeal within your budget, further on, and, the traders expect (and quite enjoy) the bartering bit and have priced accordingly so always some wiggle room! 

Phrases like “is there anything you can do on the price,” “can I make you a cheeky offer,” “what can the best price be on…” all work really well. 

On the other hand, phrases such as “that’s far too expensive,” “I am only prepared to pay £x” or “its only worth £x” are definite no, no’s and may even increase the price! Remember, these lovely people have spent so much time, sourcing, cleaning, packing the van, getting there at 4am with long drives. 

Take a trolley 

A trolley or wheelie bag can make a huge difference, especially when you’re carrying finds or walking long distances back to the car. If you have bought larger items, most sellers are more than happy to let you leave them behind their stands for you to pick up later. However, these fairs can be huge, so make sure that you take a picture of the stand, its location and any landmarks close by, so you can find them again.

Take cash 

Take cash – although many traders take cards now, sometimes, as in Malvern, signals are not great and you can get caught out by card machines not working. Also, by taking cash you are setting your own budget and don’t overspend, which is easily done.

Write a (flexible) list

I think an idea of what you are looking for is important, but be flexible – for instance I wanted some small items and a medium sized piece for upcycling but didn’t specify to myself, what that might be – sometimes if you have a rigid list, you miss the beauty of those other things that just catch your eye.

If you like it and it’s the right price for you, buy it! Because if you don’t, someone else will and you’ll be disappointed, many a time when I first started going to fairs, I would go back for something only to find it had been sold.

Have fun

Enjoy yourself, go with friends and an open mind – it’s so much fun and you get beautiful one-off pieces for your home either as they are or perfect for a coat of paint, you haven’t paid silly money, you have helped small businesses, and it’s a trip down memory lane and a museum all at the same time, what’s not to love!

Happy treasure hunting!
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