YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!!! If you know of any flea markets or antique malls that have been damaged or shut down because of Hurricanes Hanna or Ike or of any events that have had to cancel or make changes in the aftermath of these mega-storms please let us know so that we can update our listings. Be sure to check on any events in the Gulf coast area that you have booked into before driving long distances.

Don’t be surprised if you start seeing more customers and more new dealers showing up every week at the flea market. What with this economy going topsy turvy flea markets should really pick up this winter. Between Walmart and flea markets that is where Santa is going to be spending his time and his money.

From what I have seen the last couple of months, the flea markets, casinos and Walmart pretty have captured the largest share of the public’s pocketbook. Shopping malls have really lost their crowds. I would think that Christmas at the mall might be a little bit lonely this upcoming season.

In regards to the upcoming Christmas season I ask all of you to join me in not shopping at stores like Target that do not honor Christmas and the Salvation Army. If they don’t allow the red kettle at their door then I shall not pass through their door. There are always plenty of places to spend your money. I know first hand what good works the Salvation Army does in emergencies and I will always support them. We were affected by the flood of 1993 and this charity stood head and shoulders above the Red Cross and many other organizations that might have helped and mostly talked.

Where, oh where is the stock market going? What with George W and Hussein Obama driving the bus I think we are going to be in trouble for awhile until sanity is returned to Washington. What am I saying - there has never been any sanity in Washington DC! As you can guess, Hussein Obama is not my choice for President.

"Stack it deep and sell it cheap!" That is a slogan from a good friend of mine who is a great flea market seller. He will be doing business from start to finish at the markets. His idea has always been to stock his booth full and I do mean full and then with good salesmanship, smart display and signage, to sell his goods cheap. Cheap!

Having gotten out to the markets for the last 3-4 weekends, I must add that some good advice is needed for sellers. I have come across a lot of dealers complaining about being unable to move their goods. Best learn to move your goods now - as you will be facing increased competition this fall.

To begin with "Stand Up!" Don’t lounge around in a chair. Stand up and greet the customer. Look at them. Talk to them. Small talk is fine. It doesn’t have to be hard sell. Save that if needed to close a sale.

If you want to read the paper, Stay Home and read the paper. You are at an event to "Sell!" Forget the paper. Sell the merchandise.

Don’t do your bookkeeping while you are set up. Spend your time working the booth, and do the bookkeeping at home. In fact get the wife to do the bookkeeping.

Price your merchandise. Granted you don’t have to price everything, but the majority of the items, yes. Don’t expect the customer to ask for prices on every item. They are more likely to walk away than ask

Get these little basic, good business sense tips down and it will add money to your pockets. Will be giving you some more tips in my next column.

Here’s to great sales and may the sun shine on every spot that you set up at.

Jim Goodridge