What to Take to Flea Markets, Yard Sales, Estate Sales and More

A folding cart on wheels (aka granny cart) saves your back -- and it keeps your hands free so you can keep shopping.

Where to Use It

• outdoor flea markets
• large indoor flea markets and antique malls, if they allow it
• car boot sales
• block and neighborhood garage sales where you park and walk from sale to sale
• big rummage sales held in churches, schools, or community centers
• thrift stores without shopping baskets, unless the aisles are too tight

When to Leave It in the Car

• Don't bother dragging your cart out at individual yard sales. It's rarely necessary and it slows you down. Your goal is to jump out, scan the merchandise, snag the good stuff, and head to the next sale.
• Never take your cart to an estate sale. Even if they allow it (which is unlikely), you risk bumping things, blocking pathways, and limiting your own ability to move swiftly among the merchandise.

Tips

• If your cart has a liner with a closing top flap, leave it open until you pay. A closed container makes some sellers nervous.
• Put your name somewhere on your cart. The volunteer checkers at fundraising rummage sales may not recognize all of the donated goods. They may think your cart is merchandise and try to charge you. 
• If you buy breakables, stash some bubble wrap or plain newsprint in your cart to wrap your fragile finds.

When you can't take your granny cart, a tote bag or two will usually do. They're particularly useful at estate sales, where you never have enough hands to carry everything you want.

Where to Use Them

• small rummage sales held in spaces too tight for a rolling cart
• estate sales, both to carry your finds while you shop and to pack purchases after you pay
• yard sales for packing your paid purchases

What to Avoid

• Don't take an armful of tote bags to an estate sale without contacting the hosting company about its policy. Some encourage totes -- and some won't let you in. 
• Don't buy tote bags that close at the top. Estate sale companies that prohibit large purses might not allow them.

Tips

• At estate sales organized by private sellers, take lightweight mesh or nylon totes that fold up small enough to stash in a pocket. Ask about totes when you enter. If they say no, don't get them out.
• Pack your tote with some packing material to wrap fragile items. Bubble wrap does a better job, but newsprint takes up less space.
• Choose tote bags with straps long enough to carry on your shoulder. The point is to keep your hands free while you shop.

No matter how good your vision, you probably can't read the marks on every potential treasure you find. That's why you need both a magnifying glass and a loupe.

When to Use Them

• to identify the makers' marks on silver, porcelain, glass, pottery, furniture, and jewelry
• to spot flaws, damage, and construction details on any of the above
• to read the stickers and batch codes on the bottoms of vintage commercial perfume bottles.

Tip

• A loupe is a lot more powerful, but you have to hold it and the item you're examining close to your eye.

When you use a pencil eraser on a piece of sterling silver, it rubs away the tarnish.

When to Use It

• when you suspect a piece might be made of silver, but you can't find, can't read, or don't trust the hallmarks. 

Tip

• It may seem silly to carry a pencil when you can buy a big eraser, but the eraser at the end of a pencil is actually more useful. Because it's so small, it's easier to use on small surfaces, such as the inside of a bangle bracelet or ring.

A magnet won't stick to brass and silver. That makes it ideal for identifying those metals.

When to Use It

• when you think a piece might be made of sterling silver or solid brass

What to Avoid

• Don't rub the magnet across the piece when you test. You might scratch it. Place it gently against the surface instead.

Tip

• You don't need a huge magnet to test metals. A powerful button magnet works just fine -- and it takes up less space in your kit.

If Vaseline glass is on your wish list, you need a black light. Under a black light, the glass glows florescent green because of its uranium content. In fact, Vaseline glass is also known as uranium glass.

What to Avoid

• Don't demand that a seller turn off the lights so you can test a piece -- or worse, flip the switch yourself. The test still works indoors with the lights on.

Tips

• Buy a tiny black light you can attach to your key ring. It doesn't have to be big to do the job.
• If you're outdoors in bright sunlight, test in a dim corner of the garage or even the shade under a flea market dealer's display table.
• A black light is also useful for dating other antiques and collectibles, as well as detecting flaws and repairs. 

Collecting Bakelite? Or just looking for some to sell?

Some shoppers can identify Bakelite by rubbing the piece and sniffing. If you can't, Simichrome Polish is a must for your treasure hunting tool kit.

How to Use It

1. Apply a tiny amount of Simichrome Polish (it's pink) to the tip of a cotton swab.
2. Rub the swab gently on a small, inconspicuous part of the piece (underside, back, etc.) for 10 to 15 seconds. 
3. Look at the swab. It the pink polish turns yellow, you've found Bakelite.
4. Wipe off any polish remaining on the piece with a tissue.

What You'll Need

• Simichrome Polish
• cotton swabs
• tissues
• a small baggie to dispose of used cotton swabs and tissues (you don't want the polish touching your skin or clothes)

What to Avoid

• Don't do a Simichrome test in front of the sellers without permission. It doesn't hurt the piece, but they might not know that.
• Don't leave any polish residue on the piece after the test. 

Tip

• Instead of carrying the whole tube, squirt a small amount (just what you'll need for the day) of Simichrome Polish in a clean, empty lip balm tube or glucose strip canister. 

A small, bright flashlight is invaluable at garage sales and estate sales.

When to Use It

• when the sale has started but the sun isn't quite up
• to browse the goods in dim garages, attics, basements, closets, and storage sheds

What to Avoid

• Don't show up early at yard sales and use your flashlight to peek in windows, garages, and under tarps. That's a good way to get banned from the sale.

Tips

• Make sure your flashlight has a switch that stays on when you're not manually holding down the button.
• Don't buy a key chain flashlight. Instead, opt for one you can hold in your mouth, such as a tiny barrel light or one shaped like a credit card. That way you can use both hands to dig through boxes and closets. 

A measuring tape is a must at flea markets, yard sales, thrift stores, estate sales, and antique malls. It's crucial for measuring everything from the width of an antique sideboard to the waist of a vintage dress.

What to Avoid

• You don't need a 50-foot retractable monster in a heavy metal case. Keep it small and light.

Don't head out on any treasure hunting trip without padding and packing materials.

At a minimum you need bubble wrap or white packing paper (aka newsprint). If you tend to buy vintage scarves, purses, or clothing, white tissue paper comes in handy too. 

Where to Use It

• in your car for wrapping and packing your finds for the trip home
• in your cart or tote at flea markets and estate sales to keep fragile items safe and clean while you're still shopping

A small notepad and pen usually comes in handy while you shop.

How You'll Use It

• jotting down measurements
• noting booth numbers
• exchanging contact information with sellers
• making your own sold tags.

You certainly can't do that last one with your smartphone.

You can't count on finding everything on your wish list, but you do need one. Otherwise, you might get so overwhelmed that you forget to look for the very things you were hoping to find.

What to Put on It

Don't just list the items you want. If applicable, also include:

• brands or makers
• style details
• minimum and maximum dimensions 
• the maximum you're willing to pay

What to Avoid

• Don't focus so hard on your list that you miss everything else. Your favorite finds may turn out to be things you'd never thought of at all.

​If you shop for secondhand clothing you need a list of your sizes and those of everyone else you shop for.

Tips

• If you shop for vintage clothing, you'll need a complete list of your measurements too.
• Thanks to vanity sizing, the size you wear today isn't what you'd have worn three or more decades ago. A size conversion chart comes in handy -- especially if you're not able to try things on. 

Little grates like buying the perfect piece for your home only to find it doesn't match -- or worse, doesn't fit through the door.

What You Need

• measurements of each room, both overall dimensions and the distances from element to element. A floor plan with the measurements written in is ideal.
• measurements of the furniture you already own
• paint chips of your walls and trim
• fabric and leather samples from upholstery and window treatments

Tips

• If you don't have swatches of your upholstery, check under the seat cushion and on the underside of the piece. You may find a small sample of the fabric or leather.
• If you can't find any upholstery or drapery swatches, match the colors to paint chips -- and be sure to label the chips.
• When measuring your rooms, don't forget architectural details such as window sizes, door openings, and the space above your fireplace mantel. 

Make treasure hunting safer and more comfortable by packing a small cosmetic bag with health and emergency supplies. You don't want a blister or bug bite to ruin your day at the flea.

What to Keep in It

• sunscreen in a small tube or deodorant-style stick
• lip balm with sunscreen
• insect bite relief stick
• over-the-counter painkillers
• any over-the-counter allergy/sinus medications you use
• facial blotting papers
• adhesive bandages for blisters and cuts
• alcohol wipes and first-aid cream in individual packets
• moist towelettes in individual packets
• health insurance card
• auto club card
• any emergency medications you use, such as an EpiPen®, inhaler, or glucose tablets

Tip

• Toss your bag in your folding cart at flea markets where you plan to spend some time. Except for emergency medications, leave it in the car everywhere else.

Every treasure hunter needs to keep masking tape in her car. You'll wonder how you ever managed without it.

When to Use It

• to tape sold tags to pieces you're picking up later in the day
• to secure bubble-wrapped breakables
• to tape furniture doors and drawers closed
• to protect glass doors and shelves with a taped X-shape

Tip

• You can even use masking tape to secure tall lamps and vases in short boxes. Stand the piece up in the center of the box, and then make a grid out of tape to hold it upright.

It just makes sense to carry a few basic tools in your car. You may need to take the legs off of a garage sale table or unscrew the cornice boards you bought at an estate sale.

What You'll Need

• screwdriver with changeable heads
• adjustable wrench
• socket set
• pliers

If you frequent architectural salvage sales (tear-down houses where shoppers buy and remove everything from the hardwood floors to the garden plants), add these to your toolbox:

• crowbar
• mallet
• wedge
• saw
• shovel

If you shop for furniture, keep a stack of furniture blankets (aka moving pads or moving blankets) in your vehicle.

How to Use Them

• When you load a piece of furniture, cover the top and sides with a blanket. It keeps the piece from getting scratched when you pile the rest or your finds (including other furniture) on top.

Once you snag a stunning piece of furniture, you have to get it home. Use bungee cords or rope to tie the piece to your truck bed, partially open trunk, or even to the top of your car.

Tip

• Make sure you're not obstructing your view or breaking any traffic laws.

It never hurts to toss a few empty boxes in your vehicle. You'll definitely use them.

When to Use Them

• Some estate sale companies that don't allow tote bags will let you in with a small box to use as a shopping basket.
• Corral small finds in boxes to keep them from rolling around in the back of the car.

Treasure hunting is much easier with a smartphone. It's like having reference books, price guides, and your lists all in the palm of your hand.

When to Use It

• to photograph a booth where you bought something or might. The visual reference is easier to remember than a booth number (though you'll need that too)
• to photograph items you bought but haven't picked up yet and things you're still considering 
• to check Craigslist and Facebook online yard sale sites for sales that weren't listed the night before
• for checking directions if you deviated from your pre-planned yard sale route
• for saving your route directions if you don't use a printed list
• for saving your wish list, decorating dimensions, and clothing measurements
• for saving or checking on makers' marks, current prices, and information about a piece

What to Avoid

• Don't get so caught up researching an item that someone else walks away with it.

It's hard to concentrate on snagging the good stuff while your stomach rumbles -- and water is a safety must during the summer months.

What to Pack

• Freeze a few bottles of water the night before so the water stays cool as they melt. Or, pack reusable water bottles in a thermal bag with an ice pack.
• Energy bars and small packs of peanut butter and crackers are filling and won't spoil in the heat. 
• When your yard sale route starts in the wee hours, take along a big thermos of coffee or tea.

Tip

• Slip your water and snacks into your cart for lengthy flea market shopping trips. Just snack in the car along the way for all other types of sales.