If you love “found objects” including home decor, brass animals, vintage jewelry and clothes (and much, MUCH more!), one of the largest and exquisitely curated flea markets I’ve ever been to is called the Alameda Point Antique Fair near Oakland and SF. It’s basically a peninsula where massive ships surround you and over 800 vendors come to bring their collections of vintage wares. Antique dealers shop here, as well as regular people like myself.

Below are all of my best #TracisTips to score the decor of your dreams at a decent price!

Alameda point antique fair Logistics

• It it the FIRST Sunday of each month. Pretty much rain or shine but if it rains there is a LOT less people.

• There are only porta-potties on site (barf) but there is an In N Out right when you get out of the Webster tunnel that I always visit on the way in to get a Diet Coke and use the bathroom.

• You can bring kids (definitely need a stroller, it’s a LOT of walking!), however, you won’t last as long. It’s also a bit of work to ensure they don’t touch anything expensive. Either way, a cart or wagon is very helpful.

• Flea markets usually have ATMs that charge a substantial fee. Some vendors take Venmo/Apple Pay but it really depends and cash is always best. Pretty much however much cash you bring, you will spend (at least that’s how I work). I think you can buy a LOT with $100-150. Admission is cash only.

• I usually like to arrive around 10:00. DO NOT arrive around 7:30 or 9:00 or 12:00 because those are the times when the price drops and there is an insane line to get in. It does go fairly fast once the time changes, but still.

  •Wear layers as it can be cold in the morning and VERY sunny in the afternoon (usually on asphalt).

  •Bring sunscreen and reapply. A hat is a good idea too!

  • Wear something that is easy to spot. It’s so easy to lose the other members of your party, a bold color or pattern can help them find you when you separate.

• I like to drive up one of the sides to try to find a spot super close. Many people come right at 7:30 and have left already so it’s not hard to find a spot closer up if you come later. The parking rows and rows within the flea market have LETTERS. Pay attention to where you park and remember the letter!

The “Rules” of the Flea Market.

I grew up going to the flea market with my mom. We would walk up and down each aisle, shopping for bargains, with cash in hand and ready to haggle. In my 35 years of experience, here are the ways to make the best of it!

•A group agreement: Cell service can be spotty. You can separate from your group, but you must wait for every last person at the end of the aisle before advancing to the next aisle.

•If you want something specific, you need to repeat what you are looking for 3x while walking in (i.e. rhinestone brooches, rhinestone brooches, rhinestone brooches.” That is how the universe will be sure to make the item appear for you! ;)

How to bargain like a pro:

•Don’t release any item you are interested in from your death grip. If it can be picked up, pick it up. The SECOND you put that item down, it’s up for anyone’s grabs. If you leave an object, it is VERY most likely you will never see it again.

•Do NOT look too enthusiastic, but make your face and body say, “this is a mildly interesting object.” It doesn’t matter if you have been looking for this EXACT baseball card since your 7th grade gym class and you would be willing to pay $1,000 for it. If the seller knows you are thrilled about an item, they are more likely to charge you more.

•If you are at a thrift shop or flea market, you can always ask:

“Is this the best you can do on the price?” -or-

“Are you open to offers?”

If they are open to offers, be polite with what you are offering. If something is $5, you can offer $3. If something is $50, you could offer $35 (they may counter at $40). I personally feel that 35% off is the sweet spot. If you offer lower, you run the risk of insulting them. The only way to get away with offering lower is to be earnest, “I have X dollars to spend… is there ANY chance you might be willing to let it go for that much?” And give them a very sweet smile.

• Keep the bigger bills in your fanny pack/purse and then keep the smaller bills in your pocket. If you haggle on the price or say, “I have $5 to spend,” it’s awkward to then pull out a few $20s to pay. Try to bring small bills with you (so the day before you need to get cash back and have someone break some of the $20s).