Happy New Year, my friend! I hope this transition into 2025 is marked with happiness, joy and excitement for the year to come. We have many BIG things on the horizon this year to transform Atelier into not only a product-based brand, but one of experiences. Yes! From exclusive shopping dates and our very first workshop: The Art of the Hunt, happening on Saturday, January 25th! I am so excited to share my experience of vintage hunting with you in this one hour, immersive experience!
In our vintage hunting tips series, we are now at the most talked about topic around purchasing vintage products - price.
Vintage markets are full of one-of-a-kind treasures, but the real fun begins when it’s time to negotiate! For many shoppers, negotiating can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, mastering the art of negotiation is one of the best ways to score incredible deals and make sure you’re paying the right price for your vintage finds.
Today, I’m sharing two negotiation strategies that will help you shop confidently at your next brocante or vintage market.
Be Friendly and Build Rapport
But WHY does it work? Simple: most vendors are much more likely to give you a deal if they like you. Remember, they’re people too! By approaching the negotiation with a friendly, respectful attitude, you immediately set the stage for a more relaxed conversation—and a better price.
Start by complimenting the item you’re interested in. Show genuine appreciation for their collection, and ask questions about the piece. Vendors love sharing the history or details of their items. After building a little rapport, you can casually ask, “Is this your best price?”
Let's walk through an example together. Imagine you’ve found a beautiful French enamel pitcher priced at $60. Instead of diving straight into the negotiation, say something like, “I love this piece! It’s in such great condition. Do you know anything about its history?” This opens the door to a conversation, and after chatting for a few moments, you can approach the negotiation in one of two ways: “Would you be willing to do $50 for it?” or "What is your best price for this pitcher, please"?
Building a positive connection makes the vendor more inclined to work with you on the price.
So WHY does this strategy work? Vendors are often more willing to offer a discount if they can sell multiple items at once. By bundling several pieces together, you’re creating a win-win situation—you get a better deal, and they make a larger sale.
If you find multiple items at the same stall, simply ask if the vendor would consider giving you a discount for buying more than one thing. You can say something like, “If I take both of these, could you do a better price for me?” This works especially well if you’re interested in smaller, lower-priced items that can be grouped together.
Now let's walk through an example. You’ve found a vintage mirror and a set of antique candlesticks, priced at $40 and $30 respectively. You could ask, “If I take both the mirror and the candlesticks, would you do $60 for the set?” This approach makes it more likely that the vendor will offer a deal, especially if they’re looking to clear out inventory.
These are just two of the many negotiation strategies that can help you score amazing deals at vintage markets. In our workshop “The Art of the Hunt: How to Master Any Brocante or Vintage Market,” we’ll go even deeper. I’ll teach you how to approach negotiation with confidence, and share more real-life examples to perfect your technique. By the end, you’ll be a vintage bargaining pro!