Swap meets? How to find them.

[mts]

I see a lot of people posting about finding cheap detectors at swap meets. What kinds of events are these and how do you find them? I've googled for "metal detecting swap meets" and have come up empty. Are these events dedicated to metal detecting or is there some other type of event I should be googling for (prospecting, etc.)?

Thanks!

 

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[warsawdaddy]

It's just outdoor flea markets.(usually outdoor)

 

[mts]

Ahhh... I see. Thanks!

 

[mts]

Thanks plehbah!

 

[scrubber]

If you look for a used detector at a swap meet, yard sale, thrift store, pawn shop or anywhere else, have fresh AA and 9-volt batteries with you along with headphones that can switch between mono and stereo and have a mini to quarter-inch adaptor plug. I'd even bring a pulltab, nail and bottlecap, some change and maybe a silver or gold ring to help test it if you don't know what all the models' strong points are.

Some people I know have asked me to watch for a used detector. At last weeks local swap meet, I saw one, new in the box (supposedly) at a good price. It had no batteries, which is a big red flag. I grabbed my testing kit and, you guessed it, the thing was dead. The seller was shocked that I had everything needed for a test. At a swap meet, your chances of finding the seller again and getting your money back are slim at best, so make sure you know it works.

scrubber

 

[mts]

Good advice. Thanks!

I'm actually not that interested in buying a used detector. I just thought that the term "swap meet" meant "metal detecting show" or something similar. I'd like to go to such a show if they exist so I was trying to figure out how to find one. I don't go to flea markets to buy things as I don't trust the quality at all. But thanks for all of the information.

 

[scrubber]

I don't go to flea markets to buy things as I don't trust the quality at all. But thanks for all of the information.

I wouldn't totally write off flea markets. I've learned how to shop at them and have found some incredible deals. Two weeks ago, a guy was selling a Capresso coffee machine. It's a high-end computerized espresso maker for the home. It sold for $950 new. I bought it for $40, cleaned it up (looks like new now) and downloaded the manual. I couldn't test it there but got a good feeling about the seller and considered it cheap enough to risk the money. It works perfectly. They sell on ebay used for $350+. I'm now enjoying by far the best coffee I've ever made at home.



I get the same high from that kind of score as from finding a nice ring with my detector.....but there is definitely a learning curve, just like learning to read what your detector is telling you.

scrubber

 

[scrubber]

You would be more likely to find a decent MD at an Estate auction than a flea market, IMO.

-KTM

*** WARNING -- Boring Lecture Alert ***

That's true and auction prices depend upon interest. But at estate sales (not auctions), items are usually priced by professionals who know values. At a flea market, you might find the person who just broke up with someone getting rid of everything that reminds him/her of the ex, and determined to leave with none of it at the end of the day. It's amazing what they will literally give away.

In either case, the good deals get grabbed up early. You have to be there when the doors open and hopefully were able to get a preview of what they have. At auctions, you have to hang around until your item comes up. With the others, you can be in and out quickly. I've been what they call a "picker" for over a decade, mostly with electronic collectibles. It can be a fun second income or collecting hobby.

Buying used on ebay? You pay shipping and you can't try it out first. That usually kills it for me. Local Craigslist? can be great, but you have to watch often for an item to come up. The good deals usually go quickly.

Hitting the garage sales can be good, if you're not burning too much gas. New neighborhoods and suburban developments usually have mostly toys and clothes. Rural and upscale-area yard sales can yield some terrific finds. I find most MDs at middle-income suburban yard sales, but the ones who say it's best to save your pennies and buy the one you want new are right if you can afford it or don't enjoy hunting for bargains.

That's all mostly weekend stuff. I don't MD on weekends when there are too many people hanging around my places of interest.

*** End of boring lecture ***

BTW, the reason I went on and on with this is that it's a form of treasure hunting which is, after all, the theme of this forum.

scrubber

 

[mts]

Scrubber, I agree that flea markets, estate sales, and garage sales are all a form of treasure hunting. But with two kids and a wife that command my attention I rarely get out to detect, let alone shop these types of events. I wish I had time to "treasure hunt" 40 hours a week. What a great job that would be. I guess I'll have to wait until I retire and my wife is begging me to get out of the house.

But like metal detecting, shopping these events is all about perserverance. You have to sift through a lot of "junk" to find the "good stuff". To a lot of people, that's part of the fun. To others like me, it gets real tedious real fast.

 

[scrubber]

Scrubber, I agree that flea markets, estate sales, and garage sales are all a form of treasure hunting. But with two kids and a wife that command my attention I rarely get out to detect, let alone shop these types of events. I wish I had time to "treasure hunt" 40 hours a week. What a great job that would be. I guess I'll have to wait until I retire and my wife is begging me to get out of the house.

But like metal detecting, shopping these events is all about perseverance. You have to sift through a lot of "junk" to find the "good stuff". To a lot of people, that's part of the fun. To others like me, it gets real tedious real fast.

I hear ya. It's a matter of life-choices, commitments and priorities. I'm semiretired with no wife or kids. It's a trade-off.....freedom to play at my selfish pursuits vs the satisfaction of being an active member of a developing family structure. Both have their pleasures and frustrations. Just remember, when the grass seems greener on my side, the times of loneliness takes some of the freedom enjoyment away.

scrubber

 

[Joe(TX)]

.............Besides Garage Sales another good source for an inexpensive detector would be your local pawn shop.............and if you can prove that it has "Problems".............you can probably get a lower price!!.......................