Some of the popular locations of fleas these days would be Scape Park, a haunt for the young and trendy, the Singapore Flyer, a great family and tourist hub and lo behold, some fleas are even held in clubs like the Home Club, great for booze lovers!!Yaay to drunken fleas!!!.They are just about everywhere.(fleas that is , not the booze!)
I was trying to get my hands on some read up about this new phenomenon that has taken Singapore by storm but there was not much to say the least.Like mentioned, it is fairly new with lots of potential for further growth.
When one says flea, images of scouring for valuable, rare commodities at pittance flash into the mind?You will best erase that fallacy.If for a moment there you had foolishly thought that you could out beat and out run the "Karang Guni "( Rag and bone men ), you have another think coming!That good stuff is long gone my friend!
Fleas in Singapore are done by budding entrepreneurs who have realized the low cost and invaluable way of testing consumer product before any commitment.De-clutterers have found their niche in these fleas as well.Or for others, its a picnic literally. Where else can friends and family hang out, have a great laugh, people watch and hopefully make some money, yup!you got it!Fleas!!
What do they even sell at the fleas?Just about everything. Clothes, accessories, shoes,toys, handphone paraphernalia, make up and etcetera. Even expect booths doing a quick manicure, henna tattoos, hair braiding, threading and a whole lot more.
Here is a haphazard etiquette guide for the uninitiated to the Flea Culture of Singapore.Hey, would make a good read for both flea goers and flea vendors alike( I hope!).
Guide for Flea Vendors
1. Before your big flea event, do your free advertising on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and whatever you have got.Chances are that the more people hear of the flea the more likely they are to remember it and if they do happen to be in the vicinity , they would be most likely to drop for a visit.
Do not simply leave all advertising to the flea organizers.
2.Do have items that are crowd pullers.
If the wares that you are peddling are being peddled by every other vendor then your online customers or followers will have little inspiration to drop by your flea.
Either get some highly sought items or else price your items at good discounts that would not otherwise be available online.
3.Do your table lay out well.
Get a cloth to cover the worn looking table.
Throwing out your wares on a battered table and keeping fingers crossed is not going to work out.
Displays do play a huge part in sales. Just go ask any true blue shop owner.
4.Do mark the prices on the products within clear sight.
You are not running a designer boutique with exorbitant prices(are you?!!seriously?) where your price tags have to be niftily tucked into crevices of clothes or bags.
Customers at fleas love a quick browse, if they have to ask the price of every single item they are definitely going to give your booth a miss!
5. Do have your name cards prominently displayed. Browsers will usually pick one and this could translate into a sale later.
6.Don't forget to look presentable.
Pile on the deodorant but spare the heavy duty perfume. After sitting in the sweltering sun for hours(most fleas are usually held outdoors), something is bound to give.
Ditto for breath check. Carry some mints, comb your hair, look clean and you are all set.
Humans can only hold their breath for so long.Do bear that in mind.
7.Do give flea browsers some room to browse.
No one likes a shadow wanna-be.
However don't do the other extreme and leave your potential browser without any attention.
8.Smile, Smile ,SMILE!
This is the cheapest and most effective way of advertising.Everyone loves a cheery person.(not psychotic!fine line you will need to define!)
9.Grab a quick bite.
No one likes to bother a person who is clearly enjoying his/her food. Eat quickly if you have to and for heaven's sake eat light.
Leave the heavy duty curry rice and noodles for another time. Do wipe your hands and mouth clean after that.Also discard any uneaten food stuff right away. Poor projection of hygiene is a huge NO!
10.Do get proper packing material for your wares.
No one wants a pair of earring to be thrown into a huge plastic bag.
11.Do not attempt to sell anything that our friendly karang guni man would not otherwise touch with a long wooden pole!
I have been to some fleas where not only items were clearly used but also unwashed...eeeewwwww!
12.Do keep to the timings given by the Flea Organizer. Setting up later than the stipulated time given is poor flea etiquette. Sights of empty booths when the flea opens is a downer.
13. Do clean up after yourself at the end of the flea.
All that should be left at the end of the flea should be the props provided.. If the millions of crumbs of chips and dozens of empty coke cans were not part of the flea table, do bring them to trash.
Ok now that we have covered most grounds for the vendor, let's hit it with the flea goer. Yes you!
It takes 2 to tango!
Guide for Flea Goers
1. Do bring small change.
Sure flea vendors love the fact that you have brought so much cash to splurge but sadly most carry change for only small notes.
2. Do not bargain aggressively.
It's a big turn off in fleas.Most vendors would oblige with a discount where they can.
No one wishes to sell at a loss.
3.Do maintain eye contact and spare a smile.
I have witnessed so many browsers with brows furrowed, looking seemingly raged, hands firmly crossed as they approach the flea booths.
Don't worry, flea vendors are usually a relaxed bunch. No one is going to hold you at gun point to make a purchase.
4. Do avoid rearranging any table set up.
Browse all you want. Just do it gently.
I was horrified when I was at this jewelry booth and this rambunctious customer proceeded in taking every earring off the stand and tugged and pulled at it (probably to check its durability!geez!) and in the end threw the whole lot on the table and promptly walked away.(totally common rude behavior by the way!)
Some had been damaged and I could only smile apologetically at the dismayed vendor. It was hand crafted so that made it more painful.
5.Do say your good byes.
I have been on both sides of the table on this one.
Been engaged in easy banter when my attention was diverted to some other customer. Looked up moments later and the other person had left.
So as a flea browser I do say my good byes loud and clear.
There you have it.All that you need to know about fleas in Singapore.
Till I get overwhelmed by the writing ghost, its good bye for now!
