We include area auto swap meets on our flea market calendar for one simple reason — you can buy some great antiques, collectibles, and vintage items at auto swap meets. Auto swap meets aren’t simply a bunch of guys wondering around looking at rusty car parts. They are flea markets that lean towards car and truck parts and related items.
But as these sellers are getting ready for the swap meet, they often go through their garages, outdoor sheds, basements, attics, and even the house looking for stuff to take to the swap meet.
You’ll even come across women selling at the auto swap meets. We’ve even encountered women selling vintage jewelry at the swap meet.
Bottom line — if it’s old and in decent shape, it finds its way to the local auto swap meet. The only exception is furniture for the house. I don’t recall seeing vintage furniture at the auto swap meet. So don’t come looking for furniture or cookware. But, there’s always the first time for everything.
In addition to cars and car parts, you will find a large collection of old vintage signs, gas pumps, oil cans, ephemera, and thousands upon thousands of small items.
If you are a collector of antiques, vintage, and collectibles and haven’t been to an auto swap meet, you owe it yourself to shop one in the near future. You’ll find them listed on our flea market calendar.
Here’s a tip for shopping at the auto swap meets: Arrive very early — before the sun comes up.
The guys start early and end early.
And unlike your typical flea market, in the winter months it’s not unusual to encounter sellers with open fires in their spaces keeping warm.
Auto swap meets tend to be a man’s world but don’t let that stop you if you are a woman. My spouse attends these swap meets and enjoys herself.
As we attend future area auto swap meets, we’ll take lots of photographs and post them to the site for you to view. Perhaps they’ll convince you that attending auto swap meets is both fun and rewarding.
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