Flea Markets

Lamb · Jun 24, 2017

Do you go to Flea Markets? Have you ever sold anything in a Flea Market?

This morning my husband and I went to a new one in our town and it was really small. Once it grows with more sellers I'd be interested in returning.

Josiah · Jun 24, 2017

Can't stand them. Avoid them like the plague.

tango · Jun 24, 2017

Some of them can be interesting. There's one not far from where I live where most of what gets sold is junk - it's far from rare to walk around and think I've thrown away nicer stuff than what they seriously expect people to pay for. But every once in a while you can find a gem there. I bought a clock for an absolute steal a while back. It didn't work (I knew that when I bought it, my plan was to fix it) but even so the price was just silly.

There's another one a few miles from home that's somewhere between a flea market and an antique cooperative. Every once in a while I go and have a look around, usually if I just want to while away some time. I hardly ever buy anything there because the prices are perhaps most tactfully described as "optimistic".

IACOBVS · Jun 24, 2017

I got rid of my cooties at one, but picked up something much worse. He didn't treat me right.

Tigger · Jun 24, 2017

I like them once in a while. Now my sister goes often and if you tell her to keep her eyes open for a specific item she can come up with amazing finds for cheap

~Jo~ · Jun 24, 2017

We used to go mainly for toys but we haven't been to one in years now, I think I have enough of my own stuff to be fair. I should sort out my old childcare stuff and go sell it myself...

hotrhymez · Jun 24, 2017

When I was little I used to think thats where you go to buy fleas..I was silly..lol

Lamb · Jun 24, 2017

When I was a teen there was a booth at the local flea market that sold GIANT JELLY DONUTS!! These things must have been the equivalent of 5 jelly donuts! They were fresh and so good

NewCreation435 · Jun 25, 2017

Lämmchen said:
Do you go to Flea Markets? Have you ever sold anything in a Flea Market?

This morning my husband and I went to a new one in our town and it was really small. Once it grows with more sellers I'd be interested in returning.

years ago our youth group in Virginia got a booth and sold Crispy Cream donuts for a fund raiser. Don't ever do that by the way, especially in the summer. Donuts melt.

ImaginaryDay2 · Jun 25, 2017

I used to frequent one back in Michigan every week. They had a good variety, and the vendors usually had new stuff every week. It was indoor/outdoor, so it was easy to spend a few hours.
The major flea market in Vancouver, I haven't been to yet. When finances allow, I plan to make a day trip of it.

Stravinsk · Jun 25, 2017

Lämmchen said:
Do you go to Flea Markets? Have you ever sold anything in a Flea Market?

This morning my husband and I went to a new one in our town and it was really small. Once it grows with more sellers I'd be interested in returning.

Go to: Yes, sometimes.
Sold at: Have not, no.

There's a lot of junk at such markets, of course - but sometimes you can find a bargain on something that someone else obviously considers junk but suits your needs. The ones in my area also typically feature fresh produce and grains for sale cheaper than the supermarket.

Lamb · Jun 26, 2017

If I had time to look through the tools I probably should buy some new pipe wrenches.

Cassia · Jun 26, 2017

Farmer's markets are more interesting to me than flea markets. Unless there's a lot of antiques to look at they hold no interest to me.

tango · Jun 26, 2017

Lämmchen said:
If I had time to look through the tools I probably should buy some new pipe wrenches.

If your local flea markets are anything like mine I wouldn't bother. I've seen people trying to sell taps and dies that were so badly rusted I'd be amazed if they worked at all. Yes, I guess you can scrape the rust off but if you want something with a particular thread pattern you want the thread pattern, not what's left of the thread pattern after all the rust is removed.

One thing I find quite remarkable about so many craft shows is the sheer number of people who file in, wander past all the vendors without really looking at anything, buy a hideously overpriced cookie and then file right back out again. I guess it's the same mentality that goes to Taco Bell when there's an authentic Mexican restaurant right next door, or goes away on vacation to eat at McDonalds.

ImaginaryDay2 · Jun 27, 2017

Some of it, I think, is having that one thing in mind that they're looking for. My dad restores antique cars, and before a major car show every year in Hershey, PA, he gets online with a bunch of guys to compare 'notes' about who has what. but he'll typically come back with a certain "look what I found..." as well.

Lamb · Jun 27, 2017

Cassia said:
Farmer's markets are more interesting to me than flea markets. Unless there's a lot of antiques to look at they hold no interest to me.

There is supposed to be a huge Farmer's Market about an hour from me. A guy from where I used to work told me to put a big cooler in my car to take things home! I'm waiting for family to visit so they can go with me and have fun

Lamb · Jun 27, 2017

ImaginaryDay2 said:
Some of it, I think, is having that one thing in mind that they're looking for. My dad restores antique cars, and before a major car show every year in Hershey, PA, he gets online with a bunch of guys to compare 'notes' about who has what. but he'll typically come back with a certain "look what I found..." as well.

You're right that some people are going for just one thing so they stroll past everything else.

It also could be that some are frequent fliers and know what everyone is selling

tango · Jun 27, 2017

Lämmchen said:
You're right that some people are going for just one thing so they stroll past everything else.

It also could be that some are frequent fliers and know what everyone is selling

Or frequent fliers who know most of it is junk?

Tigger · Jun 27, 2017

Cassia said:
Farmer's markets are more interesting to me than flea markets. Unless there's a lot of antiques to look at they hold no interest to me.

Farmers markets are great to mill around on a Saturday morning while its still cool and pick up some fresh produce and other items.

Wilhemena · Jun 27, 2017

Although it can be nice to reminisce while perusing the antiques in a flea market, I find that the junk from my youth is not something I wish to purchase and have in my home so I too favor farmer markets where there are more useful products such as food grown by local farmers. Keeping the locals in business is important to me.

Flea Markets

God's Lil Lamb

simul justus et peccator

... and you shall live ...

Well-known member

Well-known member

The Cakeslayer

Rhymeslayer

God's Lil Lamb

Well-known member

Well-known member

Composer and Artist on Flat Earth

God's Lil Lamb

Well-known member

... and you shall live ...

Well-known member

God's Lil Lamb

God's Lil Lamb

... and you shall live ...

Well-known member

Well-known member