....I'll tell you my secrets.  I can't tell you all of them.  But I can tell you my secrets for getting the most out of a trip to the flea market.  Whether it's a brocante in France or a local flea market in your home town, there are some universal truths to getting the most out of a shopping trip:

Start with a list

While you might not find everything on your list, knowing what you want helps give some structure to your shopping and keep you from feeling overwhelmed.  

The messier the stand, the more fun the treasure hunt

The beautifully curated stands are lovely and inspiring, but a pile of boxes or stacks of china can be really fun.   Think of it as a chance to hone your editor's eye.  And the prices tend to be lower in the shops that are less curated. Those fresh flowers or cans of Perrier may not be for sale, but you're paying for them somehow in the prettier stands. 

Treat the stand as a grid

Scan the entire stand in rows from the back left corner to the front right corner. That's the only way to see every single thing in the stand - it only takes one fun find to make the stop worth it.  

Be nice

You're more likely to get the best choices and the best prices if you greet the dealer, react with a smile and a thank you to prices, and compliment something inside the stand.  If you disparage the prices, the treasures or the displays in an attempt to make the dealer feel like the items are worth less that he/she is asking, there's no negotiating from there. 

Most dealers aren't in the business for the money, they do it because they love it.  And they want to feel like their treasures are going to good homes where they'll be valued and appreciated.  

And if a dealer asks you to pay tax, that dealer has their reasons.  If you don't want to pay it, you can walk away, but be nice about it. 

Be reasonable

Don't be afraid to ask for a better price, especially if you are thinking about buying more than one item.  But try to view it as a mutually beneficial transaction - the dealer makes a little, and you get a little break.  If you ask for a 50% discount on the price, you'll just offend the dealer and walk away with nothing.  

A reasonable offer looks something like "$5 each?  Would you do three for 12?" and you'll probably walk away with three for $13.  Everybody wins.  

There's no such thing as arriving too late

Most flea market hunters try to arrive very early to get the best things.  But truly, you'll never know what you missed out on by arriving later, and the best prices are given at the end of the day.  Most dealers want to go home with an empty truck.