Is your storage full of good-quality items you no longer need but that could still bring joy to someone else? Organise a courtyard flea market! It’s a pleasant way to get rid of items you no longer need and a great opportunity to get to know your neighbours.
It is possible to organise a courtyard flea market ('Pihakirppis') at a SATO building. The idea is that residents can set up their own sales tables in the courtyard of their building following classic flea market principles.
You can bring just a few items to sell, and at a courtyard flea market you do not need to worry about table fees, transport or other costs. The more neighbours you can encourage to join with their own tables, the more enjoyable the event will be.
Tips for organising a successful courtyard flea market
1. Tell people about your plans in advance and invite neighbours to join
When organising a flea market in the courtyard of an apartment building, you do not need a special permit. However, always remember to inform the Service Manager of your SATO home building about your plans in advance, for example through OmaSATO.
If you want to organise a flea market in a public place instead, such as along a street or in a nearby park, you will need permission from the city.
It is also a good idea to talk with your neighbours before getting started. This way, as many people as possible can participate and help with the arrangements.
2. Promote the event
You can ask the Service Manager for help informing other residents about the event. Remember to be active yourself as well so the event gets the best possible visibility. For example, Facebook has city and neighbourhood groups where it is worth sharing information about the flea market. You can also announce your event on noticeboards in nearby shops.
3. Arrange other activities as well
A courtyard flea market attracts more visitors when there are other activities alongside the event. It is especially worth considering children by organising, for example, a toy flea market and face painting for them. If someone enjoys baking, they can set up a small courtyard café and sell pastries, coffee and juice to delight flea market visitors.
If there is an enthusiastic musician living in the building, a music performance can also create a pleasant atmosphere for the event.
4. Sell only intact and clean items
When choosing items to sell at a courtyard flea market, the most important thing is to make sure they are intact and clean. A good rule of thumb is to consider whether you would buy a similar item in the same condition yourself. It is also worth considering the season: on a hot day, a beach chair is more likely to sell than a sled. Good-quality children’s clothing is always a reliable hit, as there is constant demand for it.
5. Display products in an inviting way
Presentation is key to successful sales, and it is best not to put too many items on display at once so they are easy to browse. It is a good idea to refill and tidy the table as items are sold.
You can prepare for rain by setting up sales tables under a canopy or by bringing a tarpaulin or waxed cloth that you can place over the items if needed.
6. Price items wisely
When pricing items, it is worth being realistic and considering the condition of the product being sold. A suitable price is one where you would not be able to buy the same item new at a sale for the same price. Also remember that bargaining is an essential part of the flea market atmosphere.
7. Clean up together
After the courtyard flea market, it is important to clean up carefully so the courtyard area remains pleasant and everyone is left with a good feeling about the event. Bring enough rubbish bins to the courtyard for the duration of the event so that as little cleaning as possible is left afterwards.
Cleaning is quick and easy when responsibilities have been agreed in advance and everyone works together.