ACCEPTABLE DISPLAY CASES FOR E-CIGARETTES

As of January 2015, all electronic cigarettes and accessories must be displayed in a closed case.

Here are a few examples of acceptable cases.

Printable E-Cigarette Sign

(PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO PRINT)

SB 1756, PA 98-0350, ilga.org. 

As of January 2014, sales of electronic cigarettes to minors is banned in the state of Illinois. This ban prohibits a person under the age of 18 years of age from buying, possessing, being sold, bought for, distributed samples of, or furnished an electronic cigarette.

VENDORS SELLING E-CIGARETTES & ACCESSORIES AT WOLFF'S FLEA MARKET ARE REQUIRED TO CARD CUSTOMERS & ENSURE THAT ALL INDIVIDUALS ARE OVER THE AGE OF 18

FLEA MARKET GIFTS ARE THE TRUE DEALS OF THE SEASON!

THESE GIFTS ARE THE 

TRUE DEALS OF THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

By Sharon Wolff

Wolff's Flea Market

wolffs.com
FOR MORE FLEA MARKET JOY VISIT US ON FACEBOOK!

Too many choices in the mall can lead to an empty wallet, frustration or hasty decisions. 

Why not find your gifts at the flea market this year? 

Great deals on antiques, new merchandise, handmade and bulk items that no one else will have. 

Be the star of your holiday gift-giving scene and shop small at your local flea market!

$5 HANDMADE BRACELETS

BOOKS!

MAN CAVE BEER CLOCKS

ANTIQUE DRAWERS

COLORFUL GLASSWARE

VINTAGE PORCELAIN FOR DOG LOVERS

TOYS YOU HAD AS A KID

VINTAGE TRUNK

EVERYONE COULD USE MORE SOCKS!

VINTAGE TURNTABLE

COUNTERFEIT EDUCATION: COMPARE REAL & FAKE HELLO KITTY MERCHANDISE by Wolff's Flea Market

Sharon Wolff
Wolff's Flea Market
Creative Media and Merchandise Consultant
wolffsflea@aol.com
Copyright 2014
May be used with permission and credit to this source

In our ongoing quest to educate staff, vendors and customers, we keep presenting these informative photo collages. We just can't help it.

Over the years, we have created enough collages to fill a book that includes information on many vulnerable brands and products. We show it off at the market as we make our rounds. This method of education proves to be very useful for all learning styles and abilities.

Below are a few quick ways to distinguish between real and fake Hello Kitty products. Images and names used for purposes of education and discussion. Trademarks belong to the individual licensees. Information and conclusions presented here are based on our own experiences. We are not lawyers or trademark experts and research is ongoing.

Counterfeit merchandise is not allowed at Wolff's Flea Market. However, these types of products are unfortunately and perhaps tragically readily available through brick and mortar and online wholesalers. Resellers must remain aware of this never-ending worldwide issue. We hate it when our hardworking vendors lose money and potential income when they are scammed into purchasing inferior and illegal products from unscrupulous sources.

Visit our Haul of Shame Counterfeit Museum at Wolff's Flea market Palatine!

More info at wolffs.com

Or call 847-524-9590

10 SMALL (BUSINESS) REASONS TO SHOP AT A FLEA MARKET

Old advertising letters

By Sharon Wolff

People regard Small Business Saturday as a day to honor small and family-owned businesses after mall and big store shopping on Black Friday. But we here at Wolff's Flea Market celebrate small businesses each and every day that we are open, as do other markets worldwide.

WOLFF'S FLEA MARKET CHICAGO AREA
FLEA MARKETS AND SWAP MEETS ARE
COMPRISED OF HUNDREDS OF SMALL BUSINESSES

1970's LOVE Chair

What types of sellers might be found at a flea market? Families, individuals, start-up companies, small business entrepreneurs, non-profit groups, inventors, crafters, designers, junkers, senior citizens, charities, veterans, collectors, hoarders, garage salers, downsizers, empty-nesters, students, hobbyists, service providers, business owners. There are surely even more!

In no particular order, here are 

10 SMALL (BUSINESS) REASONS TO SHOP AT A FLEA MARKET

Repurposed window art

1. Personalized attention as vendors engage their customers in conversation and camaraderie. 
2. Support of small and growing start-up ventures
3. Handmade crafts like soap and holiday decorations
4.  Last year's new merchandise finds a home after big box stores sell their surplus to auction houses for resellers. Consumers save big bucks on new items like clothing, shoes and accessories.
5. Store returns in mint or slightly banged up condition (often fixable) find a home as big box stores minimize their losses by selling these items by the pallet to resellers. Toys, small appliances and household goods abound in this category.
6. The concepts of Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle come alive for used merchandise as one man's trash is another's treasure
7. As the Duggar's say, " Buy used and save the difference". Save money on used items that are perfectly usable.
8. One stop shopping. Flea markets offer just about every category of merchandise from furniture to books, clothing, jewelry, art, home decor, kitchen goods, gifts, antiques, sports memorabilia, movies, music and more. Very convenient!
9. Unique and one of a kind items like vintage estate jewelry, collectible toys or retro signs are hard to find and dealers are able to deliver to their customers.
10. The element of surprise! Who knows what you will find?

Vintage tin garage

What will you find at the flea?

Shop small at your local flea market!

Nice Banana Crate

HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT EVENT AT WOLFF'S FLEA MARKET

Saturday October 25

Join us for our Annual Halloween Trick or Treat Event!

FUN HALLOWEEN CRAFT, MINI HAUNTED HOUSE,
GAMES

Kids in costume admitted free and can trick or treat all day

SCHEDULE

8am GIANT PUMPKIN CARVING by STEVE DAHLKE

See video of Steve's previous pumpkin here:

 Giant Pumpkin at Wolff's Flea Market.

More on Steve here: Steve's Pumpkin Art.

1pm ZUMBATOMIC - ZUMBA with Jenn Voss! This is an awesome dance activity for all ages!
Plus 2 secret special guests!

Immediately followed by a Costume Parade around the market. Prizes for best costumes!

ALL DAY Trick or Treat, Shop, All 4 The Love of Cats Fundraiser & Games

In between the fun, you can buy lunch at the Sock Hop Cafe, and shop over 300 individual sellers with antiques, books, toys, clothing, jewelry, video games, music, movies, new items, resale, discounts, food and more!

More info: Call 847-524-9590 http://wolffs.com/

MERCHANDISE RULES WOLFF'S FLEA MARKET: PINK SLIP UPDATE MARCH 2015

THIS IS THE UPDATED VERSION OF THE "PINK SLIP" THAT IS GIVEN TO VENDORS WHO HAVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING MERCHANDISE. OUR AIM IS TO EDUCATE. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!

MERCHANDISE RULES

(UPDATED: 3/30/2015)  Please check back frequently for updates. CALL 847-524-9590 or email wolffsflea@aol.com(link sends e-mail)

WHILE WE WILL TRY TO ANSWER YOUR MERCHANDISE RELATED QUESTIONS, OUR INFORMATION IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED AS LEGAL ADVICE. OUR RESEARCH IS ONGOING AND OUR DECISIONS WILL BE UPDATED AS NEW INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.

AN ARTICLE FOR SELLERS: BUY SAFELY, SELL SAFELY(link is external)

QUICK LOOK: NO WEAPONS, NO BABY FURNITURE (cribs, high chairs, car seats, strollers + ETC). NO ILLEGAL OR COUNTERFEIT MERCHANDISE.  CONTINUE READING FOR COMPLETE MERCHANDISE POLICY

By selling at our market you agree to follow our rules. Failure to cooperate may result in permanent ejection from Wolff’s. WFM follows local, state and federal laws to maintain a safe, family friendly environment. Please read vendor rules on seller's permit AND this entire section to familiarize yourself with our merchandise policies.

WHAT CAN I SELL? We welcome the amazing diversity offered by the thousands of vendors who have sold at our markets since 1991. Antiques, art, collectibles, books, comics, new merchandise, your stuff, garage sale items, stamps, coins, baseball cards, kitchen items, crafts, record albums, lawnmowers, furniture, clothing, home & garden decor, your business' overstock, store returns, plants, books, sundries, soaps, sporting goods, knick-knacks, office supplies, jewelry, vinyl, accessories, generic/non designer purses, linens, tools, video games, CDs, DVDs, electronics, crafts, and MUCH, MUCH MORE! 

COLLECTORS: If you are looking for a particular item, we just might have it! Feel free to post what you are looking for on our facebook page. We have matched up a few customers and vendors!

POSITIVE MERCHANDISE TRENDS: Vinyl, fresh produce, antiques, quincenara

SOCIAL MEDIA: Likewise, vendors are welcome and encouraged to post infomation and photos of their upcoming sales on facebook(link is external)and twitter(link is external). It's FREE and an excellent way to spread the good word. We also now have live feed on our website for these 2 media outlets. 

SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURS: Can enjoy a low rent, well-trafficked location to introduce their new product or service to the marketplace. We've seen a variety of inventions & creations: magic tricks, handmade soaps, shoe inserts, recycled wool mittens, salsa, olive oil, candles, roasted peppers, hot sauce, barbecue sauce, the Mycromat, handmade pottery, personalized books, origami, exercise DVDs, art, wood-carving, crafts, bottle trees, flower arrangements, hand-made jewelry. Authors, artists and musicians gain experience and attract followers by showing off their talents and wares at Wolff's Flea Market. Got an idea? Try it out at Wolff's! We're happy to encourage your endeavors! Several vendors have gone on to open their own retail stores after getting their start at Wolff's! 

FOOD: Due to contractual agreement and local health regulations, the sale of food/concessions for consumption at the market, including, but not limited to beverages, hot food, home-made goods, sandwiches is prohibited. Please call 847-524-9590 for information, pre-approval and rules regarding the selling other types of food and local permit requirements for ROSEMONT or PALATINE. 

COUNTERFEIT: No counterfeit trademark, copyright, diluting (i.e. confusingly similar to actual logos) merchandise (NEW or USED).READ: TWO KINDS OF COUNTERFEIT(link is external). We do not tolerate counterfeits at Wolff's Flea Market and aim to educate vendors and staff on this never-ending global issue (PIE: Prevention-Intervention-Education). We conduct ongoing research and vigilantly patrol our aisles in the effort to maintain our markets as venues for small business entrepreneurs to offer great deals on great new and resale merchandise. We appreciate your cooperation and attention as we openly and firmly share our knowledge and rules.

BANNED BRANDS: Because we will not authenticate, certain brands are NOT allowed to be sold at Wolff's (new/used/real/fake). Banned: Coach, Louis Vuitton, MAC Cosmetics, OtterBox cases, Lifeproof cases, Dr. Dre Monster Beats, Chanel Perfume, Gucci and other brands at our discretion.

MERCHANDISE INSPECTION: In an effort that involves ongoing research & education, Wolff's Flea Market strictly regulates the type of merchandise being sold. If you sell with us, we reserve the right to inspect and photograph merchandise, deem it as inappropriate and disallow it. In certain instances, a manager may require legitimate receipts for your product. Throughout the day, trained staff walk the market looking for banned merchandise. Several rounds of patrol occur as new items may be unpacked. Please instruct "walk-in" family members or friends to wait at the admission booth for management to inspect merchandise before entry. You may experience staff conducting repeat inspections of your booth. No vendor is singled out.(link is external) Certain CATEGORIES of new and/or name brand merchandise require routine inspection: Electronics/Phone Accessories, Purses, CDs/DVDs, Clothing, Perfume/Cosmetics, Jewelry/Sunglasses, Toys, Licensed Sports Apparel. While most vendors follow our rules, some are new and unaware of our strict counterfeit policies. READ MORE ABOUT PHONE ACCESSORIES HERE(link is external)

MERCHANDISE REMOVAL:  Vendors will be directed to immediately and permanently remove restricted items. This means putting it AWAY, out of sight and access to the public.  Your information will be recorded and a warning slip issued. While we strongly believe in the importance of educating our vendors, a small percentage may choose not to follow guidelines. Vendors not adhering to rules or those who argue or do not follow directions from staff to immediately and permanently remove banned merchandise run the risk of ejection. We appreciate your cooperation and self-monitoring of your merchandise. If we are in doubt about your product, we may ask you to put it away until further information about that item has been presented and processed. Management will have final decision regarding a product in question.

ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES/VAPES: The sales of electronic cigarettes are allowed to CARDED individuals above the age of 18. Vendors are required to prominently post this information at their booths. Per new law 1/2015, all E-Cigarettes must be displayed in a closed case that is inaccessible to children and the public. All refills must be in child-proof containers. Read more HERE(link is external) andHERE(link is external) for information, photos and printable signs.

ANIMALS: Service animals are allowed. No pets allowed. No sales of animals/pets are allowed. The posting of ads for animal sales is not allowed. Flyers will be destroyed. Please keep your pets at home and do not leave them in your parked car. As the weather warms/cools, temperatures in your car can reach dangerous levels for your pet. Vendors, sorry, but you cannot have your pets on the premises, even if they are in your vehicle or crated.

BABY: Due to safety and recalls, we do not allow the sale of NEW or USED infant/child car & booster seats, cribs, crib mattresses, crib bumper pads, (illegal in Chicago, too), portable cribs, sleep positioning devices, bassinets, playpens, folding playpens, strollers, jogging strollers, highchairs, walkers, baby seats, bouncy seats, clip/strap on table booster seats, baby swings, baby formula, ETC.

BANNED ITEMS: Alcohol (even old products in collectible bottles; empty bottles allowed), tobacco (even old products in collectible containers), fireworks, ammunition, weapons and parts of weapons. (Specific Rosemont Ban: knives, pocket knives over 3", swords, real, decorative or collectible + ETC). No illegal knives, guns, air guns, pellet guns, pellets, (limited types of knives may be sold in Palatine to individuals over the age of 18) BB/air guns, paintball guns, crossbows, arrows, bows, ETC.). All toys guns new/used/collectible must have a permanently fastened orange tip which indicates that they are toys. No animal sales, ads for selling animals, racist/prejudicial literature or items (collectible war-related items allowed at this time), drug paraphernalia (including but not limited to glass/small pipes, bongs, rolling paper), hookahs, pepper spray/mace, stun guns, tasers, used mattresses, X rated, pornographic material including but not limited to magazines and movies, items requiring prescriptions or controlled substances (e.g. pseudoephedrine), contact lenses (prescription AND/OR cosmetic), novelty lighters (Lighters that look like toys - banned in Illinois). Other items may be banned at our discretion. READ MORE ABOUT NOVELTY LIGHTERS HERE(link is external)

CANOPIES & WEIGHTS: Canopies/tents are allowed and useful in shielding you and your merchandise from the elements. No stakes may be driven into the ground. The 2 front legs of your canopy must be firmly attached to at least a 40 pound weight EACH. Rear legs may be attached to your vehicle. You may not attach canopy straps to merchandise, tables, boxes, etc. Weights are available for rent. Please see an employee. READ MORE ABOUT WEIGHTS HERE(link is external)

BROCHURES, SERVICES, OUT-OF BOOTH SALES: No sale of catalog items or intangible services that involve the exchange of money or collection of credit card information without the exchange of actual goods unless you have received pre-approval from Wolff's. We will require presentation of your service related business license or certification. No distribution of advertising, cards or informational flyers on vehicles or in the parking lot/aisles. No distribution of flyers by individuals who are not paid vendors of Wolff's. No prejudicial or discriminatory flyers allowed. Distribution and sales must be contained within your paid selling space. No walking sales. No parking lot sales. Raffles and tarot card readings are not allowed. You may hand out business related brochures at your booth and collect emails or phone numbers from customers if they choose to share with you.

NON-PROFIT GROUPS: If you are a registered non-for profit organization/charity 501(c)(3) and wish to set up a stand at the market for fundraising or awareness, please call us at 847-524-9590. Documentation is required, and your space may be free. All rules and restrictions apply. Examples of previous groups: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Rotary Club, VFW, AIDS Foundation, Breast Cancer Walk, LifeSource Blood Drive, Special Olympics, Little Mexico (current), pet rescue, community dance troupe, Relay for Life.

WANTED POSTER: FAKE SAMSUNG PHONE ACCESSORIES

Because of the popularity of Samsung products and the seemingly quick counterfeit evolution and mutation of packaging, we have now banned many Samsung related products from our market. Yup, Samsung has been added to the growing list of our banned brands (Coach, Louis Vuitton, Dr. Dre Beats, Chanel Perfumes, MAC cosmetics, OtterBox, LifeProof). 

We will not attempt to authenticate such items.

While wholesalers offer useful deals on many "generic"or "compatible" accessories for your smart phone (e.g. Samsung, Apple), the ones pictured below do not adhere to those concepts!

These products are considered trademark infringement and therefore counterfeit.

How do we know?

Some of the parameters we look at include:

1. Confusingly similar packaging
2. Confusingly similar product design
3. Unauthorized use of trademarks and/or brand names
4. Prices that are too good to be true 
5. Unrealistic availability and more...

Images used for purposes of discussion and education. Counterfeit merchandise not allowed at Wolff's Flea Market. Trademarks belong to individual licensees. We are not lawyers or trademark experts and conduct ongoing research. 

PITFALLS OF WHOLESALE MERCHANDISE

SOME OF THE ACCESSORIES IN THIS WHOLESALE DISPLAY CASE ARE CONSIDERED TO BE COUNTERFEIT BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN APPLE AND/OR SAMSUNG TRADEMARKS. 

WE ARE NOT LAWYERS OR TRADEMARK EXPERTS. WE CONDUCT ONGOING RESEARCH ON MANY PRODUCTS TO MAKE DECISIONS ON ALLOWABLE MERCHANDISE.

COUNTERFEIT SALES ARE NOT ALLOWED AT WOLFF'S FLEA MARKET.

IMAGES SHOWN FOR PURPOSES OF DISCUSSION AND EDUCATION AND TRADEMARKS BELONG TO THE INDIVIDUAL LICENSEES.

COPYRIGHT WOLFF'S FLEA MARKET 2014

WOLFF'S FLEA MARKET EDUCATION: CELL (SELL) PHONE ACCESSORIES

By Sharon Wolff

As part of Wolff's program of Prevention, Intervention, Education (PIE), I have compiled 3 slides to increase your understanding on how to identify appropriate cell phone accessories to sell at our markets.

We are not lawyers or trademark experts. The information contained in this blog post is meant to be educational and should not be taken as legal advice. Conclusions based on our opinions, observation and research.  It is not all inclusive, and is only a sampling of what we do in our Research Zone. We conduct ongoing extensive research regarding counterfeit issues for a variety of at-risk brands and merchandise categories. Images used for purposes of education and discussion. Trademarks belong to individual licensees and companies. Information subject to change based on new information (lawsuits, arrests, updated merchandise, evolving levels of counterfeits, etc.)

Vendors are ultimately responsible for their own merchandise. 

Please call 847-524-9590 with questions

INTRODUCTION

TIP 1

TIP 2