Selling at Gun Shows and Flea Markets — Did You Remember These Things?

Here are some things you might not have thought of when planning your gun show or flea market.

Do you need a hotel room?

If the show or flea market you’re attending isn’t close to your home, you may need to make travel plans well in advance. You may need to book a room several weeks or even months early if you’re planning to attend a very large convention or popular event. Also, booking airline tickets months in advance is cheaper than at the last minute, so plan accordingly.

What will you wear?

Your attire for sales day can impact your success. You should look professional, but make sure you’re comfortable. Don’t wear new shoes. Instead, ensure your footwear is well broken in since you’ll be on your feet all day. Wear comfortable clothing that you can move around in since you’ll be setting up and tearing down your booth. Skirts, dresses or business suits probably aren’t the best option. Usually, a golf shirt, slacks, and loafers are a good choice for a day-long event. You might even put a change of clothes into your vehicle if accidents happen because the worst thing you can do is look slovenly.

Who will you meet?

Network with your fellow vendors—they could turn out to be potential customers, or you could create a mutually beneficial sales relationship. They can also tell you about other Local Marketplace events they display at that are very lucrative to them.

Will you have a chance to eat?

Hopefully, you’ll be so busy you won’t get a chance to step away from your booth to grab a bite to eat. It’s wise to pack individually wrapped snacks (granola bars, crackers, etc.) and bottles of water to tide you over if you can’t make time for an entire meal.

Learn from your customers.

The event is a valuable learning tool. While you may not have time to interact at length with customers during a busy event, listen to their comments. It could help you improve your next show.