Spring-cleaning in the Summer at the Local Brocante

It was an opportunity that was too good to pass up - a chance for a jolly good clear all the waste that were gathering dust in the attic forever with the bonus of making a few cents in the bargain.There d a tradition in France every summer for villages and cities and countries to throw open their doors so to speak, and we welcome the world to their flea market, empty or grenier.Basically is a glorified sales - pell-mell, garage or car boot - call it anything you like - where residents can get rid of some of their congestion and visitors can pick up something in a snip.Of course, there are bound to a lot of waste proposed but again an undesirable person is another treasure. And it is in this spirit that we loaded the car with our assembled assortment of less tasteful tat.Old riding boots fought for space with a mess of holiday knick-knacks. It was a little pair of gloves four Russian - pretty to look at but far too thin to fit their purposes. In a bread and a bag of 25-volume encyclopedia - a little under and outdated to a generation that prefers Google to everything and anything. Trays, a Rubik's cube - one side finished, corresponding to four eggcups, and much, much more.So with the vehicle almost to the breaking of seals, off we headed for the main village street.Now this was not going to be completely unknown territory for us. Although not exactly be frequent visitors to flea markets has nevertheless taken a few bits and pieces on years.But we had never really been drawn with the fervent collection fever "that seems to motivate many emerging treasure hunting. No, we remained more equitable time in our friendly enthusiasm.Still it is with some concern and a healthy dollop of naivety that we approached our first flea market on the other end - as prices have sellers.What us together for the battered briefcase? Would we really want that terrible series of three porcelain geese with yellow ribbons tied around their necks that we had been given several years ago? And would not that make a picnic - never used - with plastic plates and cutlery not a little expensive place among the spoils of the professional position holder? Our last fear proved largely unfounded, because most of our citizens "junk" have attics have plenty of wealth similar to ours.Of course you can not keep professionals and even entirely, there was the strange position of heaving treasures 'antiques, trinkets and questionable wannabe Old Masters at inflated prices. But throughout a brief gas was sufficient to reassure us that we "belongs". It would have perhaps been indecency beginning - indeed far too early really, especially for a Sunday morning, but it was not going to stop the real negotiation hunters pitching up.Moments after we have finished our organization to accumulate a maximum effect (we thought) they were in all their glory intend to prove exactly what early risers can actually taken. Good news for us that companies began unexpectedly to a rapid start.It was then that we quickly realized how some people are wishing to negotiate - whatever the low starting price is - without probably for the sake of having an affair. Apparently, it is part of the fun.Hmmmn. This is sometimes a reality difficult to maintain. We were there to sell, and enjoy. Even the shyest buyer (a group I would have declined in the roles had been reversed) seems galvanized to ask for our best offer that we have learned not to set unrealistically low prices to begin. But occasionally some customers exceeded mark.Such as the woman who spent 10 minutes carefully on a slope largish bag - well-known brand, robust and, even if I tell myself, in fairly good condition - stressing it had been used (what did she expect a jumble sale?) complain that it was too heavy (not to buy it, I wanted to shout) and was not large enough (not even not think about how I had to deal with this one). She asked how much he weighed, its capabilities, why it was not bigger, lighter, a different color. And of course, it makes full use of all bargaining tactics in trying desperately to lower the asking price (15 €) still further. Mind you, it appears to be bearing fruit as we kept our cool and finally settled on € 12 - all to get his move to sell the maintenance of our case.Ah costs has not always been easy as we have heard all kinds of 'apology of why the sale may be made. They ranged from "I do not have enough money" (answer: "The cash is right behind you.") "I have no small change only 50 € a note" (answer: " ; That's All Right we stock parts on the spot in advance. "We really had)" I have just arrived and do not really want to wear it around me. "(answer - obviously," If you want to pay now and we'll continue for you until you pass by again. "It worked.) Then there was the carrier Bag Hunter Probably something of a phenomenon familiar to this type of event. We had the foresight to take along a pile of bags used with us. And they seem to be among the hottest items, even if we do not charge for them. Maybe we should have done. Of course, they are certainly useful for the excuse "We have nothing to carry, it should be theirs." The beginning of mad rush quickly became lunchtime that the french headed for lunch, it is possible that some hastily prepared sandwiches and a thermos of coffee struck just the right place we sat back to enjoy the break. We resisted the temptation of wandering and to ourselves to see what "steals" we could do that we really did not want to finish packing more in the trunk of the car at the end of the day we had reached with the start.Even if the weather held, were simply not the number of visitors after lunch, we decided to call it a day.Of course we did not have any sold although most major points have disappeared and, believe it or not someone actually bought the courage and encyclopedias hulked the off.But we returned home less heavily weighed down and a package of € 98 better off. We 'll be back at the next flea market in September, with most of our trash (yes there are still more clutter the attic - it is not always?) And hopefully a little wiser in the negotiation.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/springcleaning-in-the-summer-at-the-local-brocante-459961.html