Flea Market Style team member Tim Luke recently had an opportunity to check out the flea markets on the streets of Macau and Hong Kong, China!
His mid-October business trip had him auctioneering a sports, entertainment, Hollywood and rock'n'roll memorabilia meet for Julien's.
(Details for you collecting buffs: Highlights included a dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in the move "River of No Return" that sold for $504,000 and Madonna's stage-worn tour bustier from "Who's That Girl," which sold for $72,000.)
In his spare time, he hit the markets! He graciously shares these observations with the FMS readers!
Q: How do the flea markets in Macau and Hong Kong differ from those in America?
A: "Most of the more contemporary stuff like computer cases, ear phones, purses, belts and scarfs are all made in China so they are a bit cheaper because you get them direct. The places that have furniture or Chinese figures and carvings do not allow photography and they like to tell the buyer stories of where the items come from. When I inquired about a piece's age, I was told it was made with old wood, recently, so they still call it an antique, even though it was made recently and the paint appeared to still be wet!"
Q: Do certain markets deal in American collectibles?
A: "Disney characters and music heart throb items were everywhere. China is infatuated with American popular culture and since most of it is made throughout China, it turns up at the markets throughout the country."
Q: Did you seek out certain items?
A: "Being vertically challenged, I fit right in with the height of most Chinese. This helped me find shoes that immediately fit along with pants that did not need to be hemmed!"
Q: Did you purchase?
A: "Yes! Two pairs of shoes, pants and a T-shirt!"
Q: What collectibles did you purchase at the flea markets?
A: "I usually travel light and most of the items like carved wooden figures or other decorative Chinese items were too big to get back. I did find haggling with the dealers in the flea market comical. As I walked from booth to booth, the dealer would quote a price and I had my handy currency converter add to see the dollar value. If I looked interested but started to walk away, the price quoted would drop by half! You could get the knockoff bags, luggage, ties, scarves and just about every kind of knick-knack."
Q: Do you haggle in English?
A: "It was interesting that most people spoke passable English and when it comes to money, they all understand the deal. We used Hong Kong dollars but some also would take U.S. dollars if we were short on local currency."
Thanks, Tim, for your auctioneer's-eye view of these markets!
Kim
