It seems to me that Swap Meets and Flea Markets today are dominated by dealers that sell primarily new items or niche collectible items (military memorabilia, music, etc.). These dealers have their regular spots every weekend and have probably had them for years. New items that seem to be for sale at every other spot these days are electronic gadgets, T-shirts, designer knock-offs, shoes, factory seconds, and dried nuts & fruit.

So, is there a place for the average person or family that is looking to sell some unwanted items? The answer is yes. While it does seem to me that (at least here in Southern California) the used independent seller population has decreased in Swap Meets over the years and the dealer sections have expanded, I feel that the non-professional sellers are the main reason that many people go to swap meets. Don’t get me wrong, there are good deals on new and used items to be found by swap meet dealers, but at ThriftLocator.com we are more concerned with buying and selling used items.

All seasoned swap meet goers (and swap meet dealers) head directly to the used section first, where average (non swap meet professional) people come to unload unwanted items. This is where the main action is when the swap meet first opens (get there early). There is usually no reason to rush to the dealer or new item sections of the swap meet because generally they have somewhat fixed prices and plenty of stock on hand. The used section of the swap meet is the real lifeblood of the swap meet that brings in new items each week from homes and communities.