Flea Markets just ain't Flea Marketers anymore...
@Masihi (4413)
Canada
June 26, 2011 3:57pm CST
So our city has recently opened a weekly flea market downtown with local farmers getting together and selling their wares. Amongst them we ran into a booth were we've met the owners before at their home business for a few years in a row. They were there selling their honey and beeswax candles. Then there's other booths with local wines and hand crafts, and meats, but maaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnn hoo BOY, are the prices EXPENSIVE!!! I mean some prices were higher than what we'd get at the store, or other farm markets. I can understand high prices in gas and bills and such, but why do they have to raise the prices higher than normally what's seen in stores? It did have a lovely friendly atmosphere, though, with a flea-market-like feel to it, but I guess I'm a bit like Scrooge, don't wanna spend my money, hehe...
I love handicrafts, they have a more personal touch to them, and are usually much lovelier than what you'd see in the machine-made merchandise. Sometimes I'd examine them for ideas to make my own stuff. (probably much to the chagrin of the merchants, who actually want me to BUY their stuff :-P )
3 people like this
11 responses
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
26 Jun 11
This is true that the prices are way higher these days. Where as before that is where we could get the cheaper deals but no so anymore. Hey also I went to a Salvation Army recently as I heard I could buy books pretty cheap there and I was 
at some of the items in the store where higher priced then the regular bargain stores.
I thought hmm what is wrong with them, do they not know that this where most can find great deals and why on earth pay full price there when one can get items cheaper. For instance I happened to notice some fencing where it was $10 each and I know I bought the same fencing for $5 each a year ago at our local lumbar yard and hardware store and they were brand new, unlike the ones I saw which were used. 
at some of the items in the store where higher priced then the regular bargain stores.
I thought hmm what is wrong with them, do they not know that this where most can find great deals and why on earth pay full price there when one can get items cheaper. For instance I happened to notice some fencing where it was $10 each and I know I bought the same fencing for $5 each a year ago at our local lumbar yard and hardware store and they were brand new, unlike the ones I saw which were used. @Masihi (4413)
• Canada
26 Jun 11
Wow, I"m simply gobsmacked, ur talking about the SALLY ANN here????? Oy vey, I know now to check even those guys' prices and frency's prices as well. I was just thinking that the modern-day flea markets were just a more casual version of a temporary mall or something.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
26 Jun 11
Gosh yes I have always known that flea markets would be cheaper but apparently the vendors are going through the harsh economical times as their intention is to gain and sadly too because no many can afford them as they use to be able to.
So it seems that prices regardless if a flea market, salvation army and or used store are much higher these days. 
Look at the prices of food too. 
Look at the prices of food too. 1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
26 Jun 11
We're actually shopping around, looking at flyers, etc for our groceries, we shop at a wholesale store, competing grocery stores, farm markets, and bargain stores for our food. It's crazy that we have to go all over town nowadays when before we could just hop over to the grocery store and pick up what we need.
*sigh*
Things were much more simple back in the day......
@samafayla33 (1856)
• United States
26 Jun 11
I love going to flea markets, but only time i sold stuff, it was for either the church and marching band as a teen. It was usually to raise money for those organizations. There is alot of pressure on farmers now because of the cost of farming, and i guess that's how they make their living. :) Even if some things are expensive we can still smell the candles!
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
23 Sep 11
Well, from someone who has done a lot of Flea Markets and shows both with Crafts, etc. I can tell you sometimes the prices you will see from some of the stuff is a little expensive to where I would never buy it. But you can find some Good bargains from time to time with some neat products as well. Yes, this is becoming a popular thing with people who own their own type of Business and one that is a popular way to do so as well. You need to remember there is a cost associated with being there, and sometimes, taxes, etc. they have to pay they have to incorporate into the costs of them being there as well. But it does never really hurt to look and get ideas.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
24 Sep 11
Ya, I think that's what jack up the prices big time, those high fees they have to pay. I actually examine some crafts and do store ideas in my head, not only at flea markets, but also in the conventional stores as well.
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
26 Jun 11
Ya, probably, summertime is tourist season, and our province is trying everything it can to get tourists to come and spend their money here.
@gdesjardin (1918)
• United States
29 Jun 11
I can't agree more with you Masihi! Prices at Flea Markets are outrageous these days. We used to love going to Flea Markets but they just don't seem the same now. People sell junk, there BROKEN stuff and pass them off as high dollar antiques with high dollar prices. We are lucky to have a Flea Market close to us that is just like the Flea Markets back in the day with good prices, but the bulk of the other ones are way too high and don't really have high quality merchandise either.
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
29 Jun 11
Ugh, that's totally disgraceful, indeed, I cannot imagine just how low people will stoop to sell broken stuff....*shudders*
The flea market I went to are all brand-new stuff, mainly farmers, meat, handicrafts, woodwork, etc. Nothing used.
@marguicha (215345)
• Chile
26 Jun 11
It happens in my country too. I go to the farmers market because veggies and fruit are better than a the Super but they are not cheaper. And I have found that the people at the farmer´s market are not the farmers, but there´s a long chain of people who are getting part f the money we pay.
I agree with you, better get ideas and then make them ourselves.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215345)
• Chile
26 Jun 11
THe word in Spanish is very similar (intermediarios). I did not know the word in English.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
26 Jun 11
Ah, yes, in business those people are called the "middleman" - a big chunk of the farmers' profit would go to them, unfortunately.
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
27 Jun 11
I always thought flea markets were places where people sold used stuff, sort of like garage sales. But everywhere is turning into places where fancy things are being sold - it's like some farmers' markets have more pottery and jewelry and things than food.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
28 Jun 11
It used to like that but not anymore, now more and more people are selling their crafts. Now the used stuff are being designated for just yard or garage sales. I did noticed more items being sold at farmers' markets as well, lots of useless ornaments and stuff, but sometimes they have some good stuff there. I do like their fudge counters, though, they make it right on site, too. Many varieties, they're pretty popular.
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
27 Jun 11
I am a Farmer and Beekeeper, and I am upset to see a Farmers Market mentioned, and compared to a Flea Market. A Farmers market is where you can buy Fresh Homegrown fruit and vegetables.
A Flea Market is an organized Garage sale when you can expect to see all kinds of used junk for sale. There is very little if any comparison between the two!
The reason prices at a Farmers market are higher than at a Store is because the food is fresher, and is hand grown organically, without the need for chemicals that field grown produce demands.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
27 Jun 11
Well, this flea market didnt' have any used items whatsoever, everything was brand-new, and the produce, meats, breads, pizza, etc were fresh as well.
@anklesmash (1412)
•
26 Jun 11
I would say its because they have become popular with the middle and upper classes.Its the same in the UK with farmers markets as organic and local food has become popular and the sellers know that people will pay these higher prices.Its probably more of a status thing than a decision made through their consciounse, i buy the best stuff i can for the lowest price.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
26 Jun 11
Hmmm...that's an interesting viewpoint, yes, I know that the richer people are also looking for bargains as well, as money is getting tight for all of us nowadays, and finances are really unstable in the future. I don't want to go all doom-and-gloom about the future, but I'd like to be prepared. But still, I don't think it's fair that us low-income people are missing out on good deals.
@aisha209 (45)
• United States
27 Jun 11
That is true they are not the same. I don't even go to flea markets any more because I could just go to the store now and get the same thing for about the same price. crazy. I remember i went for my last time and dis guy was selling a vacuum. Remind u it was used. I asked how much he was like 60 bucks. I told him hell no I can go to walmart and get the same thing new for dat price. crazy!
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
28 Jun 11
Wow $60 is kinda much for a used vacuum cleaner. :-s I'd pay maybe $20 if it were very good condition or even reconditioned.
