Dollar booth at a flea market: low-price weekend sales

Bargain-hunting weekend shoppers, families and people looking for everyday items at very low prices.

You sell bulk-bought goods at a markup, usually at simple price points. You pay a booth fee per day or month, so choosing busy markets and fast-selling items is key.

• Spotting items that sell quickly
• Friendly selling and haggling
• Packing, setting up and displaying stock
• Simple cash handling and record keeping

• Seller's permit and sales tax rules, which vary by state, so check with your state's tax agency
• Whether you need a local business license or vendor permit, so check with the market operator and your city or county
• Product safety rules for children's items, plus recalled or counterfeit goods
• Rules on selling packaged food, which may require extra permits, so check with your local health department
• General liability insurance, which some markets require
• Weather, slow weekends and booth fees that eat into small margins

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on how much opening stock you buy, your tables and display gear, and booth fees. These are estimates, so check fees with the markets you plan to use.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the markets you choose, your stock and how many weekends you sell. Starting hours are around 12 per week. These are estimates, not guarantees.

Check seller's permit and sales tax rules with your state's tax agency, and whether you need a local business license or vendor permit. Also check product safety rules for children's items, packaged food permits, and any insurance the market requires.