All the ways to thrift

THRIFT YOUR WAY

Flea markets and antique malls

Many sellers in one place. Flea markets fill a field or a hall on weekends; antique malls rent booths to dealers and are open most days.

Before you go

Good for: Vintage decor, art, glass and pottery, records, collectibles
When to go: Early for first pick, late afternoon for deals
Paying: Cash at flea markets. Antique malls take cards at one register

How to do well

Walk the whole market once before you buy. The same thing can cost very different amounts two booths apart.
It’s fine to ask “Is that your best price?” Dealers expect it, and more so for a bundle.
At antique malls, ask about dealer sales and booths that are closing. Booths often run their own discounts.
Learn a few marks and makers for what you collect, so the good piece stands out in a crowded booth.
Ask a dealer to hold a big piece while you finish your walk. Most will.

What to bring

Cash in small bills
A tote or folding cart
A tape measure
Water and comfortable shoes

Where to find them

Flea markets near you
Your map app, on the markets around you. Check their days: many run weekends only.
Open your map: flea markets near you (opens in a new tab)
Antique malls near you
Your map app, on the antique malls and shops around you.
Open your map: antique malls near you (opens in a new tab)

How Thriftcraft helps

Your assistant
Ask what similar pieces sell for, and check a dealer’s price right in the aisle.
1. Open the find and tap ChatGPT, Claude or Muse under Ask about this find. It opens with a question about the find already written.
2. Send a detail photo of any mark when it asks. Ask it to save the answer and its sources with the find.
3. Saved research keeps its own words and sources. It changes the find’s details only when you approve the change.
Research a find without losing the evidence

More ways Thriftcraft can help

Scan
Snap a piece you’re thinking about and come back to it before you leave.
1. Open Scan and take a photo of the find.
2. Open the find to keep its price and notes together. Keep extra photos of marks and damage with it.
3. If a snap is waiting offline, leave Thriftcraft open when you reconnect and check that it uploads before signing out.
Keep a useful record of a find
Places
Keep your shelves and walls in Places, so you know what will fit.
1. Use Places to keep the room, wall or shelf and the finds that belong there together.
2. Open New place or Edit place to save its width, height and, where relevant, depth. Add the find to that place and use its Outside size control when measurements are missing.
3. Places organizes where things belong; it does not automatically prove that furniture fits through a doorway.
Know whether a find will fit at home

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