Be in the market to spot a real bargain | Letter
Briefly

Andrew Spooner, a street market trader at Portobello Market in London, shares insights on buying and selling secondhand treasures. He emphasizes the importance of politeness and friendliness in building relationships with traders, which can lead to significant discounts for regular customers. Spooner notes that sellers often price items higher to accommodate bargaining, cautioning buyers against making lowball offers. He highlights that successful traders assess their income over the long term and underscores that finding quality pieces can be time-consuming but rewarding. He suggests that buyers focus on quality rather than price, and calls for more guidance on recognizing valuable items.
Being polite and friendly is key for buyers, as established relationships with traders result in better deals and discounts for regular customers.
Sellers often price higher to allow for negotiations, but continuous bidding down only leads to inflation; respect in offers is crucial.
Traders measure success over a year, not by each sale, viewing it as a waiting game for the right buyer.
Buyers seeking bargains often underestimate the time and effort it takes to find quality pieces, while traders focus on authenticity.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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