Make your list.

Flea Market Know-How

If you are already an antiquing pro and regularly schedule vacations, work, and even surgery around flea markets and auctions, then this listing will just confirm what you already know to be the best collectibles hot spots countrywide-and abroad.

For novices, this information will serve as a handy agenda as well as a plan of action if you ever want to achieve the highly coveted "I Brake for Flea Markets" bumper sticker. As you peruse the list, we invite your comments about shows you've attended or heard about. You can even add shows we might have missed.

What to Wear

• Old clothes, and bring a pair of gloves
• Limited jewelry. Displays of wealth discourage bargaining.
• A money belt or hip pack to keep keys and cash safe, and a backpack to keep your hands free

What to Bring

• Tape measure
• Magnifying glass
• Flashlight
• Illustrated guidebooks with manufacturer's marks and prices, such as The Garage Sale & Flea Market Annual
• Lunch and snacks
• Cash (personal checks and credit cards are usually not accepted)

How to Haggle

• The question, "Will you take $X for this?" is acceptable at garage sales, but the amount must be reasonable.
• In all situations, from flea markets to big-city antiques shows, simply ask the dealer, "Is this your best price?" Neither buyer nor seller should be embarrassed, and 75 percent of the time you can, in fact, get a better buy.
• "Firm" on the ticket means the dealer must have that amount.
• Multi-item purchases may bring a better price for the entire lot.