Feb 23, 2021, 15:09 PM by Mike Blake

Auto swap meets and flea markets are great places to find that part you need for your project, that special item for your collection, or that car that you’ve always wanted to drive … or fix up and flip.  But what is the best way to get the best deal? 

We all want the best deals … to pay as low an amount as we can for what we want. But it may pay off for you in the long run if you follow a few steps.

Go to a Big Show

First, time is money, so you may want to attend the bigger shows with the most vendors and sellers at the venue. One such event is Spring Carlisle, scheduled for April 21-25 at the Carlisle, PA Fairgrounds. The Spring Carlisle event showcases 8200 vendors, selling a vast array of cars, automotive parts, and accessories. The items run the gamut from aftermarket pieces to reconditioned parts to original parts to car care products. It's almost certain that you won't go home empty handed if you are serious about finding and buying what you need … or even some things you don’t need.

Mindset

Go with the proper mindset. In addition to being hunting grounds for affordable parts for your projects, swap meets are very much a social gathering … a chance to see old friends and meet new ones with similar interests. Be on site with an attitude of camaraderie. Proper mind-set is also proper prep. So determine for yourself just how MUCH you need the items and bid appropriately. And put yourself in the mindset to have fun … that goes a long way to getting a good deal.

Be Prepared

Get organized and do everything you need to do before attending. Bring enough cash to make your deals – not all sellers take cards or checks. Do your research (see below) to find out part numbers and pricing of the items you seek. Dress comfortably, bring sun block, water and protein bars, check out any pre-show maps or information and make a plan for the show. Some shows, as with Carlisle, have hauling available, but just in case, bring a cart or something that will enable you to haul your buys back to your car.

Be Friendly

The best advice we can give you to afford you the opportunity of getting the best deals is: Be friendly. Engage in friendly and respectful conversation. Talk cars, or if the seller is wearing a baseball cap, talk baseball. Being friendly may yield a better price as people tend to want their items to go to a friend rather than to someone they don’t hit it off with. Talk about your project or your hobby or your needs for the item. Giving the part or car a good home may also yield a better seller-buyer relationship. Be respectful, do your homework and make a realistic bid or counter-offer. Low-balling is not a good or friendly strategy. Have fun negotiating … that is part of the deal.

Play the Game

Do your due diligence. Do your research on a part’s or car’s availability, prices, part numbers and history. The game involves haggling. Always haggle, but be respectful. Vendors are there to make money and don’t want their time wasted and their reputations disrespected by low-balling shoppers. Haggling is a fact of life at flea markets and swap meets unless posted prices are firm. Generally, the first price you hear from a vendor is not the lowest they will go, so try a 15 percent to 25 percent lower counter-offer if that fits in to your price research. It seldom hurts to try. And pick up the pieces. Handle them and see if they are quality or rusted or broken or perfect. 

Dress Appropriately

Playing the game also includes dressing the part. Don’t appear too wealthy, or haggling won’t work, but don’t dress like you live in a dumpster either. A middle road seems to work well. And wear comfortable clothes and shoes; because at events such as Spring Carlisle, a lot of walking is involved and you’ll want to see it all … YOUR treasured piece might just be at the vendor spot you DIDN’T get to. But, if you see a good deal, grab it while you can, or it may be gone when you return.

Be Prepared to Say ‘No’

Be ready to walk away. If you have done your pre-show work, you know how much an item is worth and how much you are willing to pay. If a seller wants too much money for an item, it’s time to move on … you may find the same piece at another seller’s space. But be ready to compromise. Is $5 or $10 worth coming home empty handed?

Network

These are enthusiast shows and other shoppers have that in common with you. Enjoy the experience and talk with them. Ask fellow attendees if they have seen a part or car you are looking for. If a vendor doesn’t have what you seek, ask him if he can get it for a follow-up sale, or if he has seen it anywhere else on the grounds. Chances are the seller will try to help, or someone overhearing the conversation might jump in.

Look Everywhere

At big shows, lots of sellers have similar, but slightly different wares. Don’t miss anything … looking and exploring is part of the fun of the show, and you just might be surprised by something the NEXT seller has on display.

Go for the deal, but also go for the experience. Enjoy the show … have fun.

The thing about having fun is that you can do it at Carlisle multiple times a year.  Of course Spring Carlisle starts it all locally.  That is THE automotive flea market event, but other than Fall Carlisle in late September, there really is something for everyone in between.  Specialty events that are brand or style specific also have parts swaps, merchandise, collectibles and more available.  Visit CarlisleEvents.com to learn about these events, the 2021 schedule and more.  

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>