karllectibles

My Trip to "Sunny" Florida

I left cold Pennsylvania on January 7^th to do the flea and antique markets of sunny Florida.  On the 9^th, I set up at the Waldo Flea Market in Waldo, Florida.  Someone forgot to invite the sun.  It was cold every night and not much nicer during the day until the 14^th.  Since I was sleeping in the front seat of my Jeep Cherokee, I had the total “Freezing Florida” experience. 

 

 

It was very cold in Waldo, Florida on the 9th and 10th.  This old quilt became one of my new best friends.  Here are two photos of permanent  vendors at the Waldo Flea Market in Waldo, Florida.  The tent is simply named Redneck Country.

 
 

The weather finally warmed up by the following weekend at Mount Dora, but the damage had already been done.  People go to Florida to escape the cold.  They do not venture outside to the markets and spend money when it is cold.  Sales were terrible.  From a financial viewpoint, the trip was a failure.

Here is a photo of my set-up at Renninger's in Mount Dora. 

My friend Gov and his set-up at Mount Dora:

The trip was also a blessing to me in three major ways.

 My faith and trust in God was renewed and made stronger.  We had many long discussions about things while I sat in the driver’s seat of that Jeep.  He told me that He is still in control of everything, even when all seems to be out of control.  Psalm 46:10 became my reality: Be still, and know that I am God.

My commitment to my marriage was renewed and made stronger.  The ten days that Darlene and I were apart seemed to go on forever.  I love my wife very much and really appreciate all the things that she does for me.  It is good to be back in our home.

My family and my friends really care about me.  I saw my son Karl who lives in North Carolina on the way down to Florida and on the way back up to Pennsylvania.  My other son Ryan called me from South Korea during the trip.  My brother and two sisters called me during the trip.  My Aunt Karin from New Jersey called me to watch out for the frozen iguanas which were falling out of the trees.  My mother-in-law was praying hard for her "favorite" son-in-law.  My good friend Gov let me travel along with him while in Florida, and let me use one of his pop-up tents and tables.  My friends such as Preacher Florence, George, Dan, Jeff, Jack, Pam, Darick, TAP, Gerry, Tom, John, Charles, Jere, Steve, Clarke, Kevin, Jerry, Mike, Jim, Tim, Toni, Dawn, Joe and several others either called, made generous offers, but most important, prayed for me.  Thank you for your love, concern and prayers.

Although I did not make the money that I wanted to on this great adventure, like George Bailey in It's A Wonderful Life,  I once again realize that I am the richest man in town.

The Flea Market Fairy Cometh . . . Not!

I enjoy talking with fellow flea marketers on how to run a better business.  I was having such a conversation with Steve and John this morning around 4:30 in the parking lot of Saturday's Market in Middletown, Pennsylvania.  "Boston" John made two very good observations during our discussion in the hour before the dawn of a new day.

1)  You must show up for work every day and work this business to make it a SUCCESS.

2)  The "Flea Market Fairy" is not going to come and magically buy all you stuff, so get to WORK.

I had been guilty of not showing up for work just this week.  I had to repent on the spot and go forward.

Now I had never heard of the Flea Market Fairy before this morning.  I will be on the lookout for him, her or shem.

John bought us a fine breakfast just after 5:00 at Poppy's Restaurant inside the market.  With a full belly and newly clogged veins and arteries plus a renewed resolve in my spirit to 'show up" that day for work, I walked back to my booth to set up for the market. 

The only disturbing sound I heard all morning was a shrilled "Helloooooooooooooooooooo"!, but that is another story for another day.  We caught a shoplifter named Gladys who then continued to steal right in front of her two kids.  Where is the Flea Market Fairy with their bull whip when you need them?

Boston John - Thanks for the breakfast.

Hillsville VA VFW Gun Show & Flea Market 2008 Labor Day Weekend

If you love antiques, collectibles, postcards, ephemera, advertising, baseball cards, etc., stop by booths 1416-1418 in Row 28 for a great selection.  Read our other blog for more information.

Hillsville VA VFW Gun Show & Flea Market - Labor Day 2008

I will be displaying my antiques and collectibles at the upcoming Hillsville, Virginia Labor Day Weekend Show.   The show will be held August 29th through September 1st.  My booth will be located in the VFW Post 1115 complex in Row 28 (Spaces 1416/1417/1418).  Look for a 20' by 30' tent filled with all kinds of great items. 

Steve Wiker, a fellow Lancaster County dealer, and I will be splitting the space inside the tent.  We will have a massive amount of antiques and collectibles featuring postcards, ephemera, catalogues, brochures, sportscards, NASCAR, stamps, covers, postal history, books, magazines, advertising, matchcovers, stereoviews, photographs, snapshots, watches, jewelry, patches, bottles, military items and smalls of every type of collecting interests.  Steve and I have inventories that include the following subject matter:  Boy Scouts, Automobiles, Horse Racing, World's Fair Expositions, Postal History, WWI, WWII, Civil War, Guns, Firearms, Gunsmithing, Fishing Tackle, Baseball Cards, Football Cards, 45 RPM Records, Political, Railroad, Maps, FDC First Day Covers, Sheet Music, Black Memorabilia, Trade Cards, Tobacciana, Disney, Billheads, Letters, Religious, Airlines, RPPC, Ice Cream, Soda Fountain, etc.

Please mention that your saw this blog post when visiting our booth.  This will be the first time that we have set up at Hillsville, so both of our loads are fresh merchandise from the Northeast, especially the Adamstown Antiques District in Pennsylvania.  Please stop by and say HEY to the Paper Boys of Lancaster County - Karl Hellmann and Steve Wiker.  Here is a photo of us at Shupp's Grove.  Steve is on the left and Karl is on the right.  Now you know who to look for inside the tent at Hillsville.

For more information or questions, please email me at karllectibles@aol.com

Flea Market Friends

Since I started setting up at the flea markets in Southeastern Pennsylvania in June 2007, I have had the pleasure to meet some great people.  Some are dealers and others are customers.  Here is a photograph of Harvey and me at the Leesport Farmers Market.  This farmers market is held on Wednesday mornings starting at 5 AM.  The market is well attended. 

Harvey and I both enjoy selling postcards.  He is one of those people that has been everywhere and has friends all over the nation.  He is so funny.  A young mother was pushing a stroller pass our space with a crying 3 or 4 year old boy.  The precious tot was one of those kids who crys about everything when they do not get their way.  His mother lets him run the show and refuses to discipline and instruct him in the realities of life.  Harvey and I heard the kid crying about three minutes before he got to our tables.  The mother stopped right in front of Harvey's space and started looking at some items on the table.  The kid starts whining really loud and will not stop.  All of a sudden Harvey looks right at the kid and says with a booming voice "There is NO crying allowed in my space."  The kid immediately shut up.  The mother got upset and left.  Two minutes later, she is in front of another booth about 30 feet away.  The kid starts whining again.  Maybe Harvey should be a child psychologist.

I am the guy wearing the New York Yankees baseball cap.  Harvey is the distinguished looking elderly gentleman on the right.

 

Flea Market Observation

I go to several flea and antique markets a week throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania.  The one common complaint that I hear among the dealers is that people are not spending money.  As I look around the markets, I see people walking around with nothing in their hands.  No doubt the price of gasoline has much to do with the current situation.  There is an uncertainty in people about spending money for things that they do not really need or save their money for the gas tank or food.

The one thing that I have always noticed at the markets when times are tough, there are more things to buy at better prices.  The key to success is always to have some ready cash to take advantage of good buying opportunities.  I have found some great items that I have purchased from dealers who are new to the markets due to the economy.  It is becoming a buyer's market.  Cash is King.