Score bargain treasures at flea markets!

Love the vintage look? Adore getting a bargain or finding a rare treasure? Here’s how to get exactly what you’re looking for —for less!—at this summer’s flea markets!

Plan your hunt!

● Cue color! Jotting down a list of specific items on a wish list will help keep you focused and on budget! Also smart? Pick a color scheme, advises flea market veteran Terri Grahl (Enchantedmakeovers. org). “My three favorite colors are pink, turquoise and mustard—just keeping them in mind makes them really pop out at me, helping me go through boxes faster and save time! I’ve bought quilts, pots and furniture that all coordinate well. Just pick your coordinating colors!” ● Pick your bargain time! Does the early bird always catch the worm? Yes . . . and no. “The best time really depends on you,” says Grahl, “If you’re looking for specific antiques, it’s best to be ready at the gate before the market opens. Otherwise, you can often find the best deals at the end of the day.” It especially pays to go large late, notes Maureen Stanton, author of Killer Stuff and Tons of Money. “For sellers, packing up their wares is the least fun part of their job, so they’re often willing to give you a great price on big items like furniture in the last hour of a flea market.” ● Pack SMMART! Pack a few SMMART tools! The “S” stands for smartphone, “great for quick research on an item’s value on ebay,” explains Stanton. “Next, take a measuring tape and a magnifying glass, especially if you love vintage jewelry, like I do. Look for .925 or ‘sterling’ on silver,” she advises. “And if you know your antiques, you’ll want to check the maker’s mark. For example, ‘Is that a real Roseville candlestick?’ ” The “A” is for ample cash, as in take lots of small bills. Last, “T” means track your finds in a small notebook. “Jot down the booth number and price if you want to think about an item, and look for something similar that might be priced or in better condition.”