Welcome to the Tennessee Flea Market Association (TFMA). 

Thank you for stopping in. 
The TFMA is made up of Flea Market Owners and Vendors throughout Tennessee.
 

"What Do I Get For My Money?" 

Most people are reluctant to join an organization first because they know it will require a    small sacrifice of both time and money.
I find that most flea market owners are more willing to part with their money
han they are their time.

Other owners are reluctant because they want to keep a low profile.

These folks fear that their membership
will bring them to the attention of government agencies.

Unfortunately, most of them are quite willing to simply ride on our coat tails,
with no time or money investment on their part.

These are the people who frustrate and infuriate us the most.

The most often asked question is: "What Do I Get For My Money?"

It is not enough that the association is preserving their business and their life-style -

What else are you going to give me for my money?

What can we show these folks are the advantages of belonging to our association?

1. Obviously, members are stronger and can do much more and be much more
effective collectively than they can individually.

2. The association becomes the official spokesperson for the entire flea market industry in your state. If the Department of Revenue has a problem, they now have someone to contact. Association members can work together to solve industry-wide problems. "Non-Members" essentially have NO VOICE or INPUT in decisions which may drastically affect or change their business.

3. One of the major benefits is being able to sit around the table and exchange ideas and solutions to everyday problems with other members from across your state. Remember -consultants, attorneys - it doesn't matter - "NO ONE" makes better decisions than a group of guys and gals sitting around a table with their own money on the line.

4. Let's face it - Flea Markets do not always project the best image. However, your association will give you clout with your legislature, especially when they see your " self policing" efforts.

5. Another very effective recruiting tool for TFMA has been our Flea Market Brochure. Only members who are up-to-date with their-dues are allowed to advertise in the Brochure. The Brochure is titled, "Tennessee's Finest Flea Markets" and distributed through the Department of Tourism to all rest stops and welcome centers across the state and also at each member market.  This Brochure is very effective, low-cost and coop-advertising.

6. Members can discuss trends in the industry and share information such as problem dealers and bad check lists.

7. Once your Flea Market Association wins a few battles, you will find that your enemies are like a lot of other bullies - they back off.

8. Our large number gives our Association a lot of power.

9. Finally, all of us should view the "dues" that we pay as an important investment
in protecting the future of our businesses from attack by our enemies.

All of us in the Tennessee Flea Market Association
feel very strongly
that without TFMA,
we would be burdened down with all sorts of government regulations,
paperwork and needless record keeping.

If we had not been able to fight these efforts,
the very existence of our business would be dangerously
threatened and our survival would be questionable.