Treasure Hunting at the Brimfield Flea Market
During the flea market, sleepy Brimfield’s population jumps from 3,000 to over 30,000 visitors and over 5,000 dealers. Brimfield is approximately one hour from Boston, Hartford or Springfield, seven miles west of Sturbridge, Massachusetts., on Route 20.
Bargain hunters will find Americana, antiques, books, collectibles, cast iron, clocks, coins, ephemera, folk art, fine art, glass and china, jewelry, lamps, quilts, stamps, textiles, toys, vintage clothing, and so much more at the Brimfield flea market.
In an effort to be more web-friendly, the official Brimfield flea market web site now includes a database featuring more than 1,000 vendors. It includes vendors’ names, location on the lot, and the type of items exhibited. The database is searchable, so it is easy to locate specific items from vendors at the Brimfield flea market. Looking for silver teapots? Or mechanical game boards? or tramp art? Do a search in the Brimfield flea market vendor database. Some listings in the database conveniently include an e-mail address. The web site for the Brimfield flea market also contains a chat room and a bulletin board for attendees, official notices and lost and found, as well as collecting.
Tips for Treasure Hunting at the Brimfield Flea Market
1. Best Deals. The best place to find deals at the Brimfield flea market is in the smaller “fields,” local jargon for shows, or in the rear-most parts of the fields. The bargains will be found not at the Brimfield flea market’s roadside where the professional vendors set up shop, but more towards the back, away from the road. These are great tables to browse for bargains, deals, and eclectic finds.
2. Buy Now, Don’t Delay. Because so many attendees to the Brimfield Flea Market are dealers themselves, don’t walk by a bargain item you desire. If you hesitate, when you return it may be too late. If the item is rare or unique, or it’s a style, color or vintage that you collect, and the price is right, snap it up.
3. Map it. If you are not ready to make a purchase, be sure to note the name of the vendor, their booth number, and the name of the field where they are located. The Brimfield flea market covers a wide area of earth and it may be hard to remember exactly where you saw that precious item.
4. Rain is Good. Because of its location so close to the Berkshires, the weather at the Brimfield flea market could turn rainy. This does not mean you should stay away. In fact, some of the best deals to be had can be found when attendance is slow, because of the rain. A vendor may be more likely to agree to your price to move the merchandise during inclement weather. Bring a poncho or hat and make the weather work to your advantage.
5. Timing is Everything Unless you are desperate to be first in line at the Brimfield flea market, or you are just a casual shopper, there are still plenty of quality items left on Sunday. The last day or days of the show are a great time to make deals because the dealer may want to bring home less than they brought to the Brimfield flea market.
6. Eat lunch before 11am. The lunch area gets extremely busy after that, and there may not be a place to sit. If you shop when everyone else is eating, you will have more access to prized items.
Parking The tip from the Brimfield flea market show holders is if the parking is free, it’s also illegal. Pay to park in a designated area otherwise your vehicle will certainly be towed.
Tips for Any Flea Market
1. Research Before You Go When looking for specific items, from vintage toys to furniture and clocks, check local antique stores in your area for prices. Obviously, Ebay is another place to see what people are actually paying for collectibles.
2. Take Small Bills to the flea market. Do not carry any bills over $20. Have lots of singles and fives on you for successful flea market bargaining. Expect to pay cash, not credit card or check at a flea market.
3. Prices are not Fixed At most flea markets, prices are not fixed. Ask the vendor what there best price is and they will usually come down between five and 10 percent.
4. Measurements, Color Schemes Take measurements of spaces in your house where you are looking to put furniture or other bulky items. Bringing measurements as well as color swatches can help you find flea market treasures to fit your style.
5. Carry it Home Depending on the type of items you are searching for at a flea market, bring plastic bags, a sturdy tote bag or backpack, or a wire shopping cart. Bring other items relevant to your bargain wish list. When looking for furniture, pack a basic tool kit in the car for easy disassembly of table legs, cabinet doors, etc. Bargain hunting for antique china, Fiestaware or glass? Bring bubble wrap or newspaper to safely pack goods in your car.
What to Know if You Go
The Brimfield Antiques show happens three times a year, in May, July and September. The last date for 2006 is September 5-1. In 2007 catch the Brimfield Antiques show May 8-13, July 10-15, or September 4-9. Opening hours are staggered, as each vendor has an opening time. The earliest is daybreak, and the latest is 9am. There is a nominal fee for parking and one or two of the large areas may charge an entrance fee.
