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" Contributing style editor Eddie Ross, who canvasses antique and thrift stores 40 times a year, shares tips for scoring great deals at flea markets around the country. From what to research to how to measure, find out how he approaches swap meets to claim the best buys.   1. Know what you want.    Acres of antiques can be overwhelming, so plan to look for one or two things you need. &amp;quot;You may fall in love with something else along the way,&amp;quot; says Eddie, &amp;quot;but the more focused you are, the easier it is to avoid unnecessary purchases.&amp;quot;   2. Do your research.    Before you go, browse eBay, Etsy and Craigslist to get a sense of what certain pieces will cost you. That way, you&amp;#039;ll be able to spot things that are over- (and under-) priced.   3. Measure twice.    To avoid furniture that doesn&amp;#039;t fit your space, go prepared with room dimensions and a tape measure. Matching a room? Bring paint chips or fabric swatches.   4. Time your effort.    You&amp;#039;ll get the best selection in the first few hours of a sale\u2014but vendors are often reluctant to negotiate so early on. What&amp;#039;s more, some sales boost prices the first day, hoping to cash in on attendees who are interior designers and antiques dealers (the Visiting Nurse Association sale boosts prices by 25% the first day). &amp;quot;Wait until the end of the final day for the best deals,&amp;quot; says Eddie. &amp;quot;But expect slim pickings.&amp;quot;   5. Think outside the box.    &amp;quot;You might be looking for a sideboard, but a gorgeous dresser will hold your dishes and linens just as well,&amp;quot; says Eddie.   Contributor Eddie Ross has appeared on Bravo&amp;#039;s Top Design. He chronicles his decorating and entertaining projects on his blog, EddieRoss.com. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/home/decorating/a5786/flea-market-shopping-secrets-123259/>