2011 Looks Like It Will Be A Great Year At The Markets

Visitor numbers are up already compared to the same time last year.
This may a good time to go over a few points.

Reasons To Visit Your Local Market

• Wide variety of goods at affordable prices
• Healthy open air activity all year round
• Sense of community
• Atmosphere
• Dependability
• Individual service
• Environmentally  friendly
• If you are new to an area, it’s a great way to meet local characters, hear local gossip and find out what is important to those who live in the area.
• You’ll find goods that you won’t necessarily find in shopping centres.

If you treat the traders with friendly respect, in most cases they’ll welcome you back like an old friend.

Handy tips:
Don’t confuse markets with car boots.  Car boots are a very different affair.  The major difference being, car booters are private sellers out to make extra cash.  Market traders are business people who are out to make their living.
While haggling over price might be acceptable at a car boot, market traders do not take kindly to this practice.  Don’t believe everything you see on TV.  You wouldn’t haggle over the ticket price of $10.00 in a shop so treat a market stall as an outdoor shop.  If the trader wants to give you a discretionary discount, leave it up to them.
The most annoying question for a market trader is ‘what’s your best price?’  The best price is the one on the ticket!

If you would like to set up as a market trader.
Do your research, talk to traders, find out stall prices, research your product – decide whether you could cope with cold temperatures throughout the winter, business can’t just stop then! It’s not as easy as it looks.

There are different types of markets.
1. City centre markets (sometimes indoors). Sydney's Paddy's Market at Haymarket is a great example. City markets are usually open 4-5 days per week.
2. Weekly town markets, find out from the council or tourist office what day the market is on.  They are usually on one or two days a week.   Eg. Fairfield Markets NSW is on a Saturday all year round. Penrith Markets NSW Wednesdays all year round.
3. Farmer’s Markets are usually on once or twice a month, selling fresh produce straight from the farm.
4. Flea markets might be on the same day as the weekly town market.

Try something different from the everyday shopping malls, visit a market and hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised.