What Are the Pros and Cons of Buying Flea Market Furniture?

For many people, flea market furniture represents a great way to furnish a home without having to spend a lot of money. In many cases, it is possible to find many different styles of furniture, including vintage and antique pieces, at flea markets. The downside to flea market furniture is that it can be difficult to assess its authenticity and quality, and there is always the risk that the furniture may be damaged or infested with vermin. There is also the difficulty of returning defective or otherwise unsuitable furniture to a flea market seller.

Furniture buyers who frequent the flea markets typically do so for one of two reasons. The first is that they are looking to save money on the furniture that they buy, and the second is that they may be looking for furniture that is distinctive or unique and that cannot be bought in typical retail stores. For those who wish to furnish their living space or office according to the style of a particular historical period, the only way to find suitable furniture may be through visiting flea markets or antique shops and auctions.

Flea market furniture is often less expensive than furniture bought through standard retail outlets. Sometimes this is because the furniture is used, but other times it is because flea market sellers were able to purchase new furniture at liquidation prices and sell it at a flea market booth, which is much cheaper than operating a brick and mortar store. On the other hand, flea market furniture may also be cheaper than comparable pieces because it is defective in some way or is counterfeit. As flea market vendors easily move from market to market, it can be difficult to track down sellers of shoddy goods.

Another concern with flea market furniture that has previously been used is that it may be infested with bed bugs. It can be difficult to determine whether a piece of furniture has been infested before making a purchase and bringing it home. Other types of damage, including staining or damage to the furniture, may also not be obvious until after the sale. Once the item is paid for and brought home, there may be no guarantee of replacement or refund available.

Those who wish to purchase flea market furniture would do well to frequent reputable flea markets and to take time in getting to know the sellers there. After getting to know some regulars, making a furniture purchase may be less risky. If getting to know a seller is not possible, it is always wise to thoroughly inspect any piece of furniture purchased at one of these markets.