2 replies to this topic

[kroogur]

This might make a good pinned topic.

I got to thinking that since there are these huge flea markets out there why not review them and help our fellow Atariagers find some good stuff.

The Flea Markets themselves. Usually the larger ones are open year round despite the weather and often have a large open lot and a large indoor area.

Typically but not always the Outside vendors will have the better selection as the vendors inside have a very static and picked over inventory.

Rating System:

***** (Always guaranteed to find something worthwhile)
**** (Usually will find the Pot-o-Gold at the end of the rainbow)
*** (Will sometimes find something of interest)
** (Neither here nor there, no guarantees)
* (Picked clean and stagnant no variation from the same sellers every week)

If possible post the website (if available) or at least the address so others can find these places.

[kroogur]

Trader Jacks: http://traderjacksfleamarket.net/

Good sized flea market food is ok but not plentiful. Parkig is free but the lot can be confusing to navigate. There were some outdoor vendors selling a good selection of PS2,XBox,NES,N64 and GameBoy games and some systems as well as one vendor who had a small cabinet of Atari 2600 carts (all very common Haunted House,Combat etc..) for $5.00 each

But inside the building was the real surprise. There is a vendor in there with a booth simply marked Video and in the back corner up against the wall were large bins of loose carts mostly 2600 games with a small amount of Odyssey 2 and Ti 99/4a carts as well as a heavy sixer (missing the labels on the bottom) but otherwise seemed to be in good shape as well as a load of Gamecubes,PS2's and other newer consoles.

My rating ****

[wildbil52]

The Elephant's Trunk http://www.etflea.com/_/Home.html

The only major flea market within an hour of where I live (South Western CT), The Elephant's Trunk is always interesting even if you don't end up making a purchase. Parking is free and admission is $2/person. Sunday only, sellers are setting up as early as 5am. Early birds can get in from 545am-7am for $20 each or you can wait until 7am and pay $2.

Many of the same vendors are there each week and most of the ones who sell games sell them at set prices by the system ($5 for NES games, $6 for SNES, etc. Almost everyone I have bought from there is pretty easy to work with on price. Like many places, it's hit and miss. I can go for three straight weeks and find nothing, then go the following Sunday and buy a dozen boxed games for $3-$5 each.

Definitely worth checking out if you are in the area.

My rating *** (3 stars)