As a street market trader at Portobello market, London, I thought the trader’s perspective might be of interest regarding your article (Barter, bid and bag a bargain!
Market trader Andrew Spooner says secondhand buyers should bear in mind the time traders spend sourcing and authenticating goods.
Most market traders charge a fair price, many live on low incomes and we save you that time of finding and authenticating a rare piece.
If you are a seller at a market and you know buyers are “bidding” prices down then you will always price your stuff higher so there’s some wiggle room.
Focusing on quality rather than price is a better strategy for a buyer, and a guide on how to recognise that quality – and rarity – would have been of more interest.
