Questions about Markets in England

Janet: Portebello is the established street vendors and they do have real antiquities, but they are sharp so don't expect any deals. Book plate prints are in abundance here. The street sale is on Saturday. Storefronts are open then and during the week. The other markets throughout London are on their on usually day...and most of the street vendors will rotate. There used to be a publication that listed what's on for the different street markets, church rummage, etc. It is probably on your smart phone now. Beware of such things as Scrimshaw canes, etc...these are repos. Expect rain so bring an expandable plastic bag for your purchases. If you are a serious buyer bring a folding wheeled cart. You can find all kinds of Ephemera...some of it cultural specific so you won't have a clue but still fun. We found that vintage safety and straight-edge razors, and unique lighters were excellent buys...these are easy to pack. Just look on line for more info on the different London street markets before you go so you can hit them on the right day.

Thanks, Kathleen-- When you say established, do you mean legitimate or licensed? Or are you referring to their reputations in that they're not out to scam customers?

Janet - I think that she means the regular traders, the ones who have been there years if not decades. They will all try to make the maximum profit.

Thanks, Nigel. Do folks ever show up at markets occasionally because they've just cleaned out their attics? Or, here, churches sometimes hold rummage sales for fundraising. Congegants donate items and then the church sells them all at a scheduled event. Does that sort of tradition take place in the UK, specificlly London? And how might I go about researching it if it does? Some sort of alternative newspaper with a calelndar-of-events section? As always, many thanks to all.

You should also look out for "car boot sales". That is where members of the public try to sell their unwanted stuff, but car boot sales also atract semi-professional traders selling all sorts, including fake goods. I don't know eher you might find one in London, since they often take place out in the country or in school playgrounds or car parks. It might be easier to find one near Scarborough. For anyone going to France, the equivalent is called "vide grenier" or empty attic.

Yes, what Bob said. For casual sellers you want "boot sales". We have one near here regularly at the Rugby ground. Many casual sellers these days use Ebay. If going to any market, be on the look out for "dodgy goods", especially at boot sales. Tradings Standards officers regularly patrol but the fakes merchants often stay just ahead of them. Anything you buy at a market is "as seen" and buyer beware.

Bermondsey used to be a 'market ouvert' where so long as goods were bought between sunrise and sunset it didn't matter if they were stolen - whoever bought them always had the legal right to them. Market ouvert was abolished in the UK nearly 20 years ago, but still applies to some markets in Ireland. The old law is why some markets still start at the crack of dawn.

Wow, good little piece of trivia. Does the early start at Bermondsey keep the crowds a manageable size? And is it true, as it is here, that the real finds are snatched up almost immediately? About car boot sales, they are loosely organized right? Folks gather together to come and sell their stuff? Old and/or new? Here what we call "flea markets" tend to have reputations for specific types of items and you go where your interests lie. They don't really publicize them, you just know where and when they're held and you go. Sometimes there are annual flea markets which are especially fun because people (mostly hobbyists or nonprofessionals) have been out collecting items to resell all year. The outdoor flea markets are strictly seasonal but there are some indoor markets that happen occasionally in buildings throughout the year. Vermonters need diversions when the snow is on the ground for months at a time!

Car boot sales will vary depending on who is selling and what phase the moon is in. I don't usually go to them but sometimes we go looking for a small thing. You might find kitchen crockery from a downsizing family, items being flogged from a house clearance, or many house clearances, dodgy rolls of plastic tape, socks, shirts, car parts, maybe old cameras, cds and dvds (most pirated), batteries, kitchen tools - usually new, usually cheap chinese ones, old records, car radios (some still hot), and pretty much anything else which is small. Many dealers will be regulars, some will be occasional sellers. Most events occur regularly, every week, every fortnight, or so. It is hard to describe because of the ephemera and daily variation; and while the vast majority of traders don't knowingly deal in dodgy goods there is a fair undercurrent of them, and the Trading Standards officers and police trying to keep it under control.

Marco - OK