Flea market

A flea market (also flea market ) is a market in the traditional sense, offered on the purchase of used items free of pressure from private individuals. Owes its name to the flea market late medieval clothes gifts of princes. Once left to the people, was traded with these clothes. Here also one or the other flea changed the host.

Flea markets in German-speaking

The large traditional flea markets are often organized by volunteer associations or by specially established working groups in their local communities. The special atmosphere of such - usually only a year take place once or twice - Events resulting in some cities to a Check tourism from further afield. Many of the big flea markets adorn themselves with different superlatives like the greatest, longest and oldest flea market in the city, the region, the country or the world. Nationally known and well attended accordingly, eg the Berlin flea market at Mauerpark, the Frankfurt flea market on the river Main, the Bonn Rheinau flea market Trempelmarkt in Nuremberg, the Töster market in Tostedt, the night flea market in Munich, the flea market on the Promenade in Münster, the Old Town flea market on the high banks in Hanover and the flea market in Constance, the night flea market in Leipzig or the Vohwinkeler flea market under the Wuppertal monorail. The flea market in Elisabethfehn stretches for several kilometers along the Elisabethfehn. In Austria, the flea market at the Naschmarkt in Vienna, the rag market in Graz and Klagenfurt in Viktring the best known.

Since 2011, flea markets are prohibited on Sundays and holidays, after a decision of the Administrative Court of Koblenz in Rhineland- Palatinate.

Types of flea markets

The professionally organized flea markets are usually in a much smaller scale than the traditional flea markets instead. The sale offering is made - often inferior - Brand New and professionals offered goods. Reinforced offer Haushaltsauflöser wares for sale. The organizers of professionally organized markets are opening up new parking lots, embankments and brownfield sites. Occasionally, admission or parking fees.

The flea market around the child is widely used in Germany. Kindergartens, youth centers or parishes organize such children things flea markets where baby equipment, children's clothing, toys and children's books are sold. These services are used by large sections of the population to limit the expenditure on the nature of rapidly changing needs of growing children.

For donations flea markets all proceeds either the non-profit organizer, such as a church or a charity benefit as a donation.

On Thread flea markets, such as books, militaria, records, dolls or general toy exchanges, commodities are traded on a specific collection area. About dates and topics to inform the market and trade magazines and their websites.

The night flea market is a time of day new version of the flea market, which usually takes place late in the afternoon until night closed in event halls. For some night flea market visitors must pay admission in order to participate in the trade can. Especially in the south and east of Germany established for some years night flea markets, enabling a highly heterogeneous and urban audience late buying and selling junk of all kinds. In addition, there is often a social program, mostly food and drinks and music. In Leipzig, since 2000 there the night flea market in Kohlrabizirkus in Munich since 2007 finds the night flea market night consumption instead. In Erfurt, the night flea markets compete in the Thüringenhalle and in the exhibition hall to visitors, often on consecutive Saturdays.

Commercial features

Flea markets are spread worldwide. In many cities across the globe, there are regularly held flea markets.

Flea markets can be smaller commercial traders who can not afford a corresponding retail store or their product range is tailored to the target group of the flea market visitors, serve as a sales platform.

Flea markets may prove to be dienliches environment to contemporary history and everyday cultural education. To be found on most flea markets, media, particularly books and magazines, or phonograms, which are not or only rarely commercially available. There are also various individual Antiques - even if it have developed pure antique markets. However, at antique markets the goods are often offered by specialist traders, visitors usually have to pay admission and you'll be there mostly appropriate audience.

Sellers can sell at the flea market things that are no longer needed by them. Children can act here and haggle and get to understand how to deal with money and the value of one's possessions.

The specific characteristics of a flea market are - from the perspective of the visitor - the private nature of trade (sales by private individuals, in many cases can also be about the price haggling ), which is not constantly available supply of goods (many flea markets for example only once a year ) as well as to acquire the hope of the visitors, unusual or Cheap. These connotations are availed frequently and of holders of regular stores, by - in order to increase their attractiveness - are referred to special sales as a " flea market ".

The social significance

Besides the commercial purpose of serving flea markets, like other markets also social needs. To see instead entertainment or even political talks at flea markets. It is possible to simply stroll through the market only to chat with other visitors or sellers have a chat to visitors. Earlier in the shop around the corner often common practice, the chat is today in most stores - gone - especially in supermarkets and big-city shopping centers. At flea markets and other small talk and everyday conversation is possible. In many rural areas of Austria there are especially at flea markets, whose proceeds benefit social or charitable institutions, often an additional dining options, similar to that of a café or a snack stand and where appropriate social and bustle takes place. Also discussions between sellers or customers are often to be heard, which identify them as experts in certain fields. In this way, each other mutual understanding and - especially in cases of unusual interests - develop a sense of belonging to a special small group, which then gives the flea market and the character of a subcultural place.

A visit to a flea market is usually the own pleasure and not unlike other purchases, the character of everyday necessity. He is therefore usually take place without time pressure.

Alternatives

Through internet auction sites such as eBay offer and the opportunities for the sales of second-hand have increased in recent years. Such internet auction sites are the traditional flea market ideas contrary inasmuch as the local range allows an aimless browsing and targeted search for specific features and conglomerations like at a flea market. When trading on the internet but is the flair of a market - the direct assessment of the goods as well as the communication with the dealer and with like-minded people - lost and there are usually additional shipping costs. The advantage of the Internet is that it can be found using search terms targeted certain things and at the same time price comparisons are possible.

As alternatives for disposing of used goods remain in addition to selling at flea markets, the sale to a Warentauschtag, the gift to friend, the donation ( in Germany without tax receipt ) to a charitable institution and the toll on the recycling center where the goods destroyed either be downgecycelt or resold.

Flea markets in the United States

In the U.S. there is the largest flea markets in Pasadena, CA ( Rose Bowl Flea Market ) and in Daytona Beach, Florida ( Daytona Beach Flea Market ). The largest flea market in the city of New York is the Brooklyn Flea in Brooklyn.

Yard Sales

Usual as flea markets are in the USA Yard Sales (also: Garage Sales, Rummage Sales or similar), where individuals sell their no longer needed items at a stall, which, for this purpose on your own property (usually in the garage, on garage driveway, is set up in the carport or in the front yard ). Unlike in Germany, individuals in the U.S. can basically run a yard sale without official registration. In some cities (eg, Beverly Hills, Gettysburg ) a chargeable permission is required. Typical products that are sold at yard sales, are children's toys, board games, books, clothing and household items. Haggling is widespread; many sellers draw their goods not only with a price tag of. Yard sales are also in high demand by buyers. They usually take place on Saturday morning and will be announced by the respective seller, either by advertisement in the local newspaper or by homemade signs that are hung in the neighborhood.

Often, entire neighborhoods vote, to attract a collective yard sale especially many customers. As the "longest yard sale in the world" the Highway 127 Corridor Sale is valid along the U.S. Highway 127, take part in the beginning of August every year thousands of households.

Yard sales are in the United States today an important part of popular culture and are also shown in many movies (eg, Eight Days a Week, 1997; Toy Story 2, 1999; Yard Sale, 2004; The Longest Yard Sale, 2007).