Elaine Lorelle Johnson, a seasoned bargainer currently residing in Lafayette, Louisiana, acted as guide and tutor through the wonderful world of Canton. She volunteered to share her experience and trade secrets as we tailed her through the acres and acres of First Monday merchants.



Ms. Johnson was selected because of her no-holds-barred negotiating style, years of national flea market experience, and recent nomination into the Second-Hand Haggler Hall of Fame (located in scenic Fon du Lac, Wisconsin). By happy coincidence, she also happens to be my younger sister.

She seems sweet at first, but you really don't want to cross her. Trust me. Combining equal parts Holly Golightly and Iron Mike Tyson, Elaine (a.k.a. NeeNa, Haggler Princess) routinely strikes fear into the hearts of flea marketeers throughout the country. Professional antique dealers cower before her, lest they be crushed beneath her mighty heels. Within seconds of her first offer, NeeNa reduces even the most seasoned traders to tears. (It's actually pretty fun to watch.)

In addition to possessing perfect basic bargaining skills, Ms. Johnson also uses more, shall we say, supernatural powers in her haggling enterprises. After a short stint with the Amazing Johnathan (during his critically-acclaimed "You are getting verrrrry sssslllleeeeepppyyy" tour), she spent several summers as a cocktail lounge hypnotist in the convenience store casinos of Elko, Nevada. These skills will become more evident in our discussion of more advanced haggling techniques.

So great is her faith in the magic of second-hand markets that Elaine has perfected a Zenlike practice of 'non-shopping.' "A few years ago, I got to the point where I just stopped actively looking for things. I don't shop for things, I walk around and let them shop for me."