Zeroing in on one desired item can make the seller quote a high price.

Although bargaining and haggling are still the cornerstones of shopping in many parts of the world, they have gone out of fashion in most American stores. Flea markets and garage sales are another story, however, and to guarantee that you get the item you want at the best possible price, you'll need a whole arsenal of sharp negotiating tricks.

Bargain Shopping Specialist Susan Goldberg, popularly known as "Garage Sale Susan," loves driving around Southern California searching for "pre-owned treasures." She has been featured regularly on A&E's The Incurable Collector, and offers the following advice for nabbing great prices at flea markets:

• Be subtle.
  According to Goldberg, it's usually a mistake to rush up to a seller's booth and put your hands on the one thing that you simply must possess. The seller will sense your need, and he or she will make you pay dearly for it. It's better to casually admire the seller's display and keep quiet about your desire for any one object.

• Ask for the best price.
  When you pick out the thing that you want, ask the best price and then ask them the price they'll take. Always give the sellers one last chance at your money by asking them if they're willing to take your final bottom price. If you're willing to walk away without buying, then you'll have more negotiating power.

• Ask for group discounts.
  Group discounts are a good way of buying more for less, and can also help you and a decent price on a much-wanted item by taking other things off a seller's hands. Take a look around the booth, see if there are any items you can group together, and then ask the seller for a group discount.

• Stash small bills.
  Sometimes getting a low price means being a little tricky. Goldberg recommends stashing rolls of small bills in several pockets. This way you can tell a seller that you only have a certain amount of money in your pocket, and when you pull out a small wad of cash, he or she will see that this is the maximum you can spend.

Garage Sale Susan
www.garagesalesusan.com

The Ultimate Flea Market Guide
magazines.ivillage.com/goodhousekeeping/

Flea Market Guide
www.fleamarketguide.com

National Flea Market Association
www.fleamarkets.org