When I travel the world, I always make an effort to visit the local markets. Some are wet, some are night and some are flea with second-hand items. Sometimes I noticed some vendors standing at a cramped corner offering nothing but their good-old services. These services range from locksmithing to fortune telling. Interestingly, they are regular vendors at these markets which could only mean that they are making ends meet at these trading places that traditionally are filled with physical goods. If you're trying to brainstorm the next compelling service you can offer at a flea market, here are some that could work. Most ideas require minimal setup so you don't get logistics issues.

Barbering

You don't need a lot of equipment to power a barbering service. In fact, the most you need is a chair, a hair dryer, a hair clipper and of course, scissors and combs. And don't forget the mirror, at least a small one for your customers to appreciate your art of work.

Shoe Repair

I've seen this service work in some parts of the world, so if you're in the part where you haven't seen someone doing it, you could be the first. Everyone needs a pair of shoes and but everyone is willing to buy a new one each time a pair wears off.

Business Card Printing

Some people still need to carry business cards around and in some parts of the world, exchanging business cards is a custom used to break the ice. I've seen a man operating this kind of service with just a laptop and a high-resolution laser printer. You might wish to bring a large LED screen to augment your laptop screen so that your customers can see clearly before you commit the business card design to print.

Business Design and Printing Service

While you're at it, why not also offer different types of design and printing services such as for logos, food menus, posters and even photocopying? As long that you have the means to transport all the equipment.

Mobile Phone and Computer Repair

Repairing work sometimes does need time but if you're at the market for a longer period say over the weekend, you can always ask your customers to drop it off today and collect it tomorrow.

Home Repair

Yes, you heard me. Home repair service seems impossible to offer at a flea market but the place provides a great opportunity to promote your service and take bookings. You can take advantage of the high foot traffic in the marketplace by marketing your service by handing out leaflets and letting customers make appointments on the spot.

Car Repair

This is possible but it does depend on what you can repair on the spot. Since visitors often drive to flea markets, you can just service the cars at the parking lot. While you work, your customer shops.

Car Wash

I would be dumb not to include a car wash here. The larger the flea market, the better it is for this service so that you have ample time to wash the vehicles while the vehicle owners browse through the market.

Cleaning Service

Another type of service to take advantage of the high traffic at flea markets. Everyone needs some kind of cleaning work to be done sometimes.

Care Services

Whether it is childcare or care for the elderly, you can organize one-to-one consulting sessions and extend care packages to your booth visitors. You can even sign them up on the spot and get them to pay a minimal deposit.

Pet Care Services

If we included human care service, it's only fitting that we also include pet care service into our mix. This covers pet grooming, pet walking, pet sitting, and also veterinary service.

Chiropractic Service

A bed and the skill of a chiropractor are all you need to kick-start this service. But do take this with a pinch of salt as I'm not a licensed chiropractor.

Clothing Alteration Service

A compelling service to offer especially when each alteration doesn't take too much time. Similar to cellphone repair service, you might need to tell your customers to pick up tomorrow. Just make sure that the market is operating tomorrow.

Make Up Service

I've seen this happening at malls but not yet at a flea market. But this only gives you the opportunity to test this idea out. You may be surprised by the results. But do remember to price your service accordingly to flea market consumer expectations.

Locksmithing

I can't avoid not including this service. I've seen a long queue of people at markets waiting for a locksmith to duplicate keys for them.

Car or Door Remote Duplication Service

If locksmithing is possible, why not remote duplication service? The last time I went to duplicate my mom's gate remote, it only took under five minutes.

Beauty Spa Service

Another fascinating business idea to consider and it doesn't require lots of equipment either. This idea would definitely work better if the patrons of the flea market were generally females.

Fortune Telling

If your nearby flea market doesn't have this yet, you can be the first. Types of fortune telling can be numerology, astrology, tarot cards, palmistry, runes, scrying, pendulum and others.

Language Class

Believe it or not, I learned how to read the Korean language in under two hours from scratch. Imagine having a small closed-door class under a canopy with makeshift door at a flea market, and running language classes with two-hour sessions every weekend.

Art Services

A catch-all phrase for services under the scope of art. This can be a tattooing service, self-portrait painting service, face painting and even custom-made handicrafts.

All Other Services

Generally, you can sell or promote any kind of services you can think of that matches the demographics of flea markets. The idea is to take advantage of the foot traffic that is often hard to obtain at other mediums. Before setting up, make sure to check with the organizer or management of the flea market to ensure that selling services are allowed and to understand any specific rules or regulations. Additionally, consider the preferences and interests of the specific flea market attendees to tailor your services to that market's demographic. Remember that promoting your services effectively, providing a visually appealing setup, and offering reasonable prices can help attract customers in a flea market setting.