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Alsip Swap-O-Rama Flea Market
Category: Shopping Shopping Centers Shopping Centers [Edit]
4350 W 129th St(between Orchard Ln & Blossom Dr)
Alsip, IL 60803
(708) 344-7300
- Hours:
Wed 7 am - 2 pm
Sat-Sun 7 am - 4 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
21 reviews for Alsip Swap-O-Rama Flea Market
Review Highlights
21 reviews in English
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Review from Vinzent G.
Mokena, IL
5/17/2012
They have baby do-rags..need I say more?
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Review from Natalie M.
Chicago, IL
4/20/2012
Does anyone sell real New Era hats there? I have to buy bulk for all the kids at a charity event and they are liking the Superheros, Gamers, etc.
The last guy tried to sell me some not so real hats, but that's to be expected it is the SwapORama! It's the same stuff over and over so don't stress if you missed those socks the first time around, you can make up your mind half way through or at the end because you'll see socks everywhere. Well it's worth a trip if you like that down under dirty dealing stuff. But in the meantime I'll be checking elsewhere to continue to supply the New ERA Hats. -
Review from Jason A.
Chicago, IL
10/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Over the years this place has gone downhill. It still smells like people that haven't bathed in weeks wearing laundry in the same condition, mixed with a melted plastic/fried food smell, but it still smells better than most Marshall's stores.
You can still find a great selection of stolen car stereos, knockoff S&W pocket knives that sell for the same price as the real thing, and "fresh" fruit.
What was disappointing was number of people selling the exact same damn stuff! There must have been at least 8 Shea Butter salespeople there. Just someone standing in a stall with buckets of shea butter. The exact same bucket, same brand, just different people selling it all throughout. If you've been to Tijuana, you'll know what I'm talking about.
Luckily, the entertainment is free! I got to see security break up a fight, and someone walk up to an "incense salesman" ask for devil's lettuce, and receive something in a bag that was under the counter. There were also signs everywhere with the phone number for flea market security saying to call them instead of the police!
The inside is mainly people selling brand new stuff at not so great prices. The outside is people selling stuff they probably found in someone's garbage, at prices that reflect it. Overall, I'd come back on a day when I have nothing better to do, but those days don't come up all that often anymore. -
Review from Janelle B.
Westmont, IL
11/6/2011
I used to love this place... I would take my kids here and let them pick out toys or something of the sort. I went there today with my husband in search of a couple things. I left there disgusted to say the least.
We walked around after we found what we were looking for to see if we missed any booths. As we were walking, I noticed quite a few people standing at this booth. They sold DVD's, hats, CD's etc. I look to see what has got their attention and to my disbelief they are watching a dog fighting DVD. I immediately get sick to my stomach and tell my husband that I want to leave.
I am very disappointed that Sawp-O-Rama has these types of people in thier establishment. I'm pretty sure that the people that run it know whats going on. They have "security" walking around all the time. Needless to say I WILL NOT be back. -
Review from Amy R.
6/25/2011 3 photos
I almost feel like they should be paying us to get in the doors. However, 2 bucks is not bad for people watching and some mental memories down memory lane. I saw a pair of lime green LA Gears.
A nice couple at a gas station offered to show us the way, so we followed them to the Swap O Rama.
This place is quite large. Indoor and outdoor vendors.
Just about everything imaginable. Some things a bit scary, but still fun to walk through and look at what people are selling.
A lot of the vendors are very sweet and friendly and look to be enjoying themselves selling their treasures from yester years.
Nothing I wanted. J found a few old school toys.
I recommend going to the bathroom before hand. I didn't dare. Eek!Listed in: Flea Markets & Old Finds
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Review from Dave S.
4/10/2008
I have a secret love for this place. You can easily make this an all day outing here. If you can tolerate a massive crowd then come on by. This place is massive and there really is a good deal of ground to cover if you want to check out all the vendors.
For the most part you can get pretty good deals here but I would still suggest that you shop around inside this place before you make your purchase as some of these vendors here really are NOT selling things for that great of a price. Feel free to haggle also.
I would NOT suggest going here in the middle of summer. The heat inside this building can get deathly hot. They do charge a small cover to enter but it is only a couple of bucks. This is the granddaddy of all flea markets. -
Review from becki s.
Chicago, IL
9/23/2008
This place is hilarious. It smells like old socks, plastic and fried meat.
You can buy anything from the elusive old sock, to car stereos, to fake Louis Vuitton bags. (The vendors would never admit to you that they are fake tho.)
People run amuck for the savings!! Its like a circus...just go and check it out for a good laugh. -
Review from Nico M.
Chicago, IL
10/1/2008
There is so much stuff here, I mean seriously so much. Way more than the Maxwell Street Market that I would hit up every so often. If you want a fantasy knife or sword they have them. I would be wary of engaging in battle with one, but hey you never know when you will need that dragon dagger.
Honestly though, I got brand name cleaning supplies, a hammer, some scented oils and various other things for my house for under 25 bucks. I mean this wouldn't happen at a regular store.
It cost $1.00 and is every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. This place is pretty big and is definitely an all day event. I was getting hungry and was ready to leave as my friend continued to debate whether or not to buy a knife and/or sword that will never be used. Ok fine..I bought a knife as well. So yea they do have different concession stands with corn, pizza, polish sausage, etc.. but I didn't try any of it.
There were a ton of people here and we even got there pretty earlier. All I know is I swear I saw like 20 million pairs of socks here, so if you are looking to stock up on socks for the winter you better hit this place up. -
Review from Laura C.
9/8/2011
Supporting Swap-O-Rama is supporting crime - this place is infested with stolen goods and the sleazebags that sell them. Looking for your stolen bike? Check this place out. Make sure you have your police report and receipt, then call 911 immediately. Keep an eye on your bike until the officer arrives, and take back whats yours. This place needs to be shut down.
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Review from Kara K.
Chicago, IL
4/16/2010
Bootleg compilation CD's, sweat socks, perfume, incense, beautiful 14K gold jewelry, shea butter, luggage, cleaning and personal hygiene products, ghetto photo "studios", rims, speakers, chicks with attitudes, dudes with NO game (some with), black market babies, kidneys and more for unbeatable prices.
A great way to spend a few bucks AND a Saturday afternoon. -
Review from Robin W.
Chicago, IL
5/28/2008
Why beat around the bush, when you can buy illegal goods BEHIND the bush. Yea, I'm not sure what that means, but Swap-O-Rama has long been the super flea market for me!
Have you ever needed a butane lighter realistically fashioned like a gun? SWAP-O-RAMA'S GOTCHA COVERED!
You want to paint the baby's room, but this new fangled eggshell just doesn't cover as well as that vintage lead of your youth?
SWAP-O-RAMA'S GOTCHA COVERED!
She wants you to propose? Of course you can't afford a diamond, but you CAN afford to use this "ring" as a trust test, a real engagement maker or breaker?
YES! SWAP-O-RAMA'S GOTCHA COVERED!
Love cheap fashion knockoffs? But this whole illegal sweatshop worker thing gettin' in the way of your deals!?
SWAP-O-RAMA'S GOTCHA COVERED!
Seriously...a cash only circus of anyone who wants to set up a table and sell. There are so many people here, there is no way they can govern trades.
Open, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 7am-4pm. -
Review from Ben H.
10/31/2009 3 photos
My first time here, on a specific mission to buy a dirt-cheap used children's bike for parts. The trip was a success, i found one for $10! Admission is $2, so I guess in total I spent $12, but the cost of entry was worth the experience.
This place is enormous and crazy. I didn't sample any of the food, but I did manage to walk past EVERY stall in the place while on my quest. You could probably find just about anything there. There's a lot of clothing, hats, stereo equipment, belts, wallets, cheap toys, socks, cleaning supplies, used tools, and "natural" remedies. One vendor had a bunch of cheap and terrible paintings in good old ornate frames. I will be back with those in mind on another trip. -
Review from Allison K.
Chicago, IL
4/11/2009
When I met my fiance and he told me he lived in Alsip, I was like huh? Where's Alsip. He replied with "Swap-O-Rama." I was immediately intrigued, remembering the old commercials but having never been.
Going there was an experience. Good? Bad? Hard to say. Definitely unique. The sheer variety of products/stolen goods under one roof is baffling. Most stuff is fake/old/almost broken or very cheaply made. Also, there are a lot of socks. I didn't buy anything, not even the "Skarpie" markers. But it was fun for a couple hours of cheap entertainment and is one of the best places to people watch. -
Review from Alanna K.
Sugar Grove, IL
6/7/2010
It's the weekend, and you want to get out of the house...what's a good thing to do that only costs $2? Going to the Alsip Swap-O-Rama of course! And today was my first encounter of this flea market. Man, I had no idea how big this place is! I've gone to other flea markets that cost more than this, and were a fraction of this size. They had pretty much everything you can think of. Tons of clothing, jewelry, bras/panties, incense, CD's/DVD's, socks, socks, and more socks, perfume, rims, speakers....new stuff, used stuff, old stuff. You can get an airbrushed t-shirt, get your eyes checked, and get a haircut all under the same roof!
All n'all, I would recommend this is a place worth checking out...! Make sure though that you go on a pretty nice day, because then all the vendors are there!! -
Review from jamie k.
Chicago, IL
3/18/2008
It's a great thing to do on a lazy sunday. They do take credit cards, but I would urge you to pay cash...if you pay with cash they don't charge tax. There are so many good deals here it's hard not to buy things. There is a guy here that sells pretty raw looking shea butter straight from ghana. There is a stand for everything. Farmer's market type things, dvds, jewlery, weapons, sunglasses, record players, etc. I'm pretty sure I even saw a kayak for sale. It's a wonderfully shady endeavor.
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Review from Junie B.
Chicago, IL
9/8/2010
As for flea markets, this is the freakin' bomb. There's a certain leverage I have to impart here on giving 5 stars. It's a flea market. If you don't know what a flea market is, then you've never been to one. Because if you've been to one, you know EXACTLY what a flea market is like. How it smells. How it sounds. How it looks. What is sold there. The people that go there, the people who sell there. It's an amazing phenomenon still thriving in today's society which is to say the least - awesome. This is the kind of place you go to waste time and money on things you don't need and things you never thought you'd need until you saw them in bulk or for dirt cheap. Bring some hand sanitizer and wear a good pair of shoes because this is the real deal, folks. Thanks.
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Review from angie p.
Lake, IN
10/31/2009
I like swap-o-rama because of Dr. Gaeta in space 308-309. He is an eye doctor that offers affordable eye care. He has everything there, the equipment and really nice frames to choose from. I have gotten my glasses there for a couple of years now and I have not had any problems with them. My glasses were really really affordable.
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Review from Laura S.
Oak Lawn, IL
9/23/2008
As far as flea markets go, it's pretty good. I found a unique bamboo plant here a couple of years ago - so all in all it was cool to check out.
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Review from Nora R.
Chicago, IL
5/21/2011
I got my computer fixed here for really cheap and they did an awesome job!! I had taken it to everyone I could think of and gotten quoted hundreds of dollars but these guys got the job done for far less. I think the spot number is 170-171. You guys rock!!
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Review from Renato P.
Grayslake, IL
3/28/2008
This is what I imagine when I think of flea markets. Compared to the Lake street Swap-o-Rama , this is the grand daddy of them all. The main sales floor is ok , not really that impressive. Where this place really shines is the rear corridor , that's where it gets really exciting/scary. I guess in the front , they pay a bit more attention to less than legal goods (pirated dvds and xbox games, found cell phones , fake designer clothes), in the rear it's a whole different story. You can find faux perfumes , fake designer sunglasses and computer modders. You can smell the lead paint on the cheap import knockoff toys. My favorite part of this place is the rear lot , that's where you find the retiree or weekend warrior sitting in his car or van and selling stuff out of his trunk. It's definitely funky here , but if you give it a chance , you might find something cool. Last time I bought a churro , a laser pen, a ninja star and an original 1977 star wars stormtrooper figure .
Listed in: The middle of nowhere...
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Review from Regina S.
New Lenox, IL
6/1/2009
Having been born and raised in Chicago, unfortunately this is only my third time going here! This is what I imagine when I think of flea markets. This is a huge place with tons of items to choose from. We traveled down the aisles and to the front.. The outdoor area is so-so. They basically have stuff that they brought from home that they are trying to sell. But we decided to hit the very back of the place. That is where I purchased MY FIRST Coach bag. Luckily, I know what a REAL one entails. I got it for $40 and purchased a Gucci for my daughter for $40 as well. We even got the dust covers for the bags. You can definitely spot the knock-off bags, etc., in the place. But real items can be found...I would assume they've been "found"...some way, some how, if you get my meaning. To top the day off, I got my eyebrows arched (much needed) for $8! Talk about variety! The place is crowded, hot, but fun! It only costs a $1 to get in and free for kids under 7. My grandson is 3, so that suited me just fine! A nice way to spend a Sunday.
