How To: Sell stuff at a flea market

Selling stuff at the local flea market sounds easy enough, but it isn't anything like having a yard sale. There's a lot more to it that just getting rid of your junk, and the biggest things are being licensed and having a sales tax number. Flea market vendor may not be your first career choice but, like many, you may find it's a lucrative full-time job or a profitable and fun sideline.

You Will Need
* A vendor license
* Sales tax identification number
* Stuff to sell
* Flea market space
* Free time on weekends
* Customers
* Auctions and estate sales (optional)
* Advertising (optional)

Step 1: Obtain licenses
Obtain a vendor license, sales tax identification number and whatever permits are required by your local and state governments.

Step 2: Get stuff to sell
Get stuff to sell by asking friends for their unwanted items, buying from garage sales, auctions, or internet wholesalers.

Obtain treasures at bargain prices at auctions and estate sales to generate good profits.

Step 3: Locate a market
Locate a market where customers will likely be interested in the type of stuff you sell, and then talk to other market vendors for further insights.

Step 4: Contact market manager
Contact the market manager and arrange to rent booth space, selecting a spot situated in a high-traffic area.

Hold your own flea market by setting up booths in parking lots, making sure you comply with local regulations.

Step 5: Consider specializing
Consider specializing in collectibles you know are in high demand and which will fill a niche in your locale.

Advertise in newspapers or online to find collectibles for resale.

Step 6: Look the part
Look the part and talk the talk of a flea market vendor to benefit from customer expectations.

Step 7: Prepare to work weekends
Prepare to work weekends, when flea markets are in full swing. With any luck, you'll soon have a thriving business.

There are about 3,000 weekly flea markets in the United States.