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Laney College Flea Market
Category: Shopping Fashion Used, Vintage & Consignment Used, Vintage & Consignment [Edit]
7th St & Fallon StOakland, CA 94607
Neighborhood: Lake Merritt
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
96 reviews for Laney College Flea Market
Review Highlights
"Finish it up with some kettle corn and you are good to go."
(in 6 reviews)
"...booths (cupcakes, additional hot dog stands, variety of..."
(in 4 reviews)
"I prefer this flea market verses berkely and coliseum."
(in 12 reviews)
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96 reviews in English
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Review from Pablo R.
12/21/2011
This is the American Open Air market live and in the flesh! Park
Flea markets and swap meets may not be for every level of sophistication but saving dollars is. You can find new and used items from high-end to cheapy quality at discount prices for cash on the barrelhead. Polish your negotiating skills and see if you can find a diamond in the rough. Maybe a picasso hidden behind a watercolor? Who knows but this would be the place that story could happen. $1 gets you in to a fun walk through flea market land.
Now serving pupusas, tamales, hot dogs, churros, fresh juices, quesadillas, corn on the cob, fresh kettle corn and more!
Free parking now available under the freeway two blocks away. -
Review from matt j.
Hayward, CA
12/5/2011
If you like flea markets, man how can you go wrong.
been coming here for almost two decades. Damn I'm getting old...
Getting a bit commercialized , but once in a while BINGO! what a deal.
4 stars for being a classic market that's easy to get to in Oakland.
$1 cheap thrills to get in and some walking up and down isles of people's old stuff. -
Review from William H.
Oakland, CA
11/3/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This is my neighborhood flea market so I'm going to talk it up a bit. It's been around for decades and people have increased in the years. The stands have sprawled out to corners of 7th and Fallon Street and parking is horrendous here on Sundays; but all that shows how popular this joint has become.
There are many tenured venders in there. There's always your share of socks and underwear dealers, the comicbook guy, and a few dedicated vintage video-game sellers. But what's taken the scene by storm are the mobile phone accessories guys. Get your iPhone 4 covers here! You'll save some money. Where they got their stuff? You really don't want to know. The jeans sellers here have gone high class, as I've seen stuff from Levi's to Seven. It's either used, damaged, or stolen. I hope the pair you got aren't. Don't forget to browse the DVD guys, they got deals that are down to 4 for $10 bucks! Of course they just got used DVDs and shrink wrapped them. Still, it's fun to browse.
Did you know you can buy a 40" flat screen LCD TV here too? I wonder if they take credit. It's a bazaar of comical proportions. I hope you take a trip here if you have spare Sunday. Have some corn-on-the-cob while you're at it. -
Review from j b.
Walnut Creek, CA
10/30/2011
I went looking for my stolen 2003 Silver GIANT Iguana Mountain Bike.
This is a good flea market. I don't buy at flea markets, but for fans this is a good one. Parking is tough, expect to walk a few blocks. BART is 2 blocks away. Good food options, fresh fruits, Mexican food stands. Computer and bike repair. A guy selling phones, I think.
There are lots of bikes here. High end bikes along with older bikes.
Think new Corvette at a junk yard.
Walk around all the aisles, bikes are scattered throughout. One stall seems to have the high end stuff (5?), but I saw several throughout.
I checked other flea markets looking for my ride, Solano, and Mission/15th St. These don't have the high end inventory that Laney does. Perhaps due to to the higher end demographic.
If you go here, don't buy a stolen bike, bad karma for you!
If your ride was stolen, check here.
If you see my silver GIANT Iguana, let me know. -
Review from Countess C.
Oakland, CA
1/7/2012
Can someone please post the DAY or DAYS and hours that this flea market is open. I can't find whether it's on Saturday AND Sunday or Sunday only. Thanks.
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Review from Ken C.
Oakland, CA
12/6/2011
Boo for stolen bikes. I think bike thieves should be waterboarded til actual death. Sad our powers that be have no time or resources to take on bike (and part) thievery. But it is just ridiculous that people are allowed to show up at places like this and sell stolen items.
So... as another reviewer suggested: If your bike is stolen, and you go looking for it (cause what are they going to say if you find your bike*) try this place, and bring a large friend.
I am hereby offering to be that large friend unfazed by conflict. I'm a big calm guy who's not afraid if thieves and only lives a few blocks from Laney. If you'd like me to tag along and walk this place with you, just in case your bike is there - message me.
*You should also be waterboarded if you take advantage of the situation and say a bike is yours when it is not. You're not helping, just re-thieving. If you message me be prepared to show me a pic of you and your bike, or at least describe it down to the finest detail before going. -
Review from F B.
Oakland, CA
11/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
WTF!!!! I went here and bought all different kinds of foods! And got whooped on prices like I was @ a carnival! $2.50 for a churro! Corn $3.50! Kettle corn $6.00! Never again!
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Review from Vittorio L.
Oakland, CA
6/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Meh.
Walking up and down the aisles one may notice that it seems to look like random trucks dumped junk along each side of it, and someone did their best to organize it, and then over priced each.
Here you'll find stolen bikes galore, cables for iPods, bootleg DVDs, a multitude of socks, tee shirts and bras, and some fruit and food vendors. Slim pickings if you're looking for a deal (as most will NOT haggle, claim it's Brand Name, and price their goods at 80% retail). meh...
perhaps the only thing worth going for is tools; buy an old craftsman wrench for $1, take it into Sears, and have it replaced (for free). Although this seems like a plan if you want new tools, it makes me feel as shifty as the characters I ran into at the flea market. Again, meh.
Tips: walk there, it is NOT worth a ticket. -
Review from adlih z.
Oakland, CA
8/21/2011
With this economy, one must find deals where one can. And for $1 you are allowed into Laney college's bargain bonanza!
CDs, movies, toys, furniture, clothes, jewelry...old and new. All there for the picking.
This place is great for random finds AND really good food (mostly from latin america). Elotes, shaved ice, mexi gelatin, churros, tacos, tamales, pupusas...the list goes on and on (I had a fried plantain with condensed milk).
You have to have a good eye and patience to come out with some good finds. Just be warned that driving means that you and several other drivers will be competing for the same limited parking spots on the streets of Oakland.Listed in: on a budget
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Review from Uland W.
5/25/2011 2 photos
Just like the song "On a Sunday Afternoon" this is when the Laney Flea Market comes alive. PARKING: I suggest parking on Madison St and 7th, FREE parking under the freeway.
Certain parts of the Flea Market are FREE, if you want to explore the other end it will cost you $1. Come ready to spit your bargaining game because there are veterans in this market. They are always willing to make a deal. If you aren't here for the misc goods, then the food sold there is definitely worth it. $3.50 for a container of cut fruits, $1 Churros fried on the spot or hand made tortas.
Top 5 things that you might find at the Flea Market:
5: The word amigo being thrown around like a used napkin. It seems like once you are in the bargain mood, everyone is your amigo/amiga
4: Fu Manchu look alike playing the chinese violin, in abnormal octaves
3: The mood to dance and sing to your favorite Reggaeton while walking from stall to stall
2: A pot of "gold" where all the lost socks from the washer and dryer
1: Finding everything and anything your heart might desire, as this is a flea market
Good hunting!!!! -
Review from Audrey C.
San Francisco, CA
10/16/2011
CRAWLING with stolen bikes. Just found my husband's. If your bike has been stolen, check here first. Note that it's not open on Satuday.
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Review from Chris E.
San Bruno, CA
This place is worth it for the food. Finally got around to trying out some of the food vendors and man oh man. Cheap, but quality food. Pupusas, fried plantains with condensed milk, grilled sugary corn, fresh cut fruit, kettle corn, bacon -wrapped hot dogs, fresh lemonade, etc. Need I say more?
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/7/2011
If you're a thrift store pirate, then welcome to heaven.
I could spend hours here just going through… Read more »
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Review from corey G.
12/5/2010 1 Check-in Here
I'm a self-proclaimed Flea Market Fiend. I like going to them. You have so many things to peruse: all kinds of stuff, junk, food, and of course people.
This flea market is fairly huge, and it seems like there are two different flea markets. There's one which was free, and the other you have to cough up a buck for (not really sure what the difference was between both flea market, but I went to both).
I ended up picking up some iPhone headphones (the ones with a mic) for $10 (vs. the highway robbery of $30 that Apple sells them for). [Unfortunately, these headphones suffered the same fate as my originals: I accidentally kept them in my pants as they were thrown in the wash/dryer.]
Parking was a wee bit tricky here. We spent quite a bit of time looping around the area looking for a spot. We ultimately sniffed out a spot at the parking lot of the nearby BART station. -
Review from Christine S.
Fremont, CA
Updated - 11/30/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Since my last review, there have been some recent changes to Laney's weekly Sunday flea market:
+ Additional parking underneath the freeway on Madison and 7th (You don't have to fight for a spot with all the crazies in the real parking lot or risk getting a ticket for parking on the curb)
- No idea where my steamed corn and churro booth went (since they are renovating)
+ More aisles before you get to paid section of the flea market
+ More food booths (cupcakes, additional hot dog stands, variety of Mexican delights, pupusas, gelatin cart)
- WAYYYYYY too many MAC knockoffs
+/- Different Chinese man playing a one-string guitar (What happened to the other one?!)
I understand that there is an underlying issue of ethics, about whether or not to buy stolen goods. If you have a problem with it, then don't come. It's THAT easy. Aside from that, there are still people that sell here, trying to make an honest buck, so perhaps yall can support them.
However, I truthfully don't mind the bad reviews. That only means more junk for me to buy!Listed in: Who's Down with O.P.P?
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/16/2009
You can find my family and I here practically every Sunday. It's not commercialized like the… Read more »
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Review from Ed V.
10/23/2010
3.5 Stars
The legends are true. This flea market is everything you've heard and more. It's a haven for the sale of off-market cleaning supplies and socks, a venue for trash enthusiast to hook their finds, and the cheapest place to get DVDs in the East Bay.
The Laney Flea market is a mix of everything you could want at a flea market. It's big. It's full of great deals. There are organic vegetable and fruit stands, homemade Mexican food, and freshly squeezed lemonades w/ spring of mint - all right next to piles of cables, video games and old clothes. Oh, and don't forget to pick up some of the cheap knock - off Iphone protective sleeves. -
Review from Larry G.
San Ramon, CA
12/26/2010
4.5 stars, minus half a star becuz of the terrible parking and it's only on Sundays. Very small free parking lot, you may have to park in the street which may be very difficult and inconvenient if you buy something heavy or large. Do not park in a red zone or in a school parking lot, you will get ticketed. There is a $1.00 admission to one side of the market, and no admission to the other side. Not sure why there are two sides, I guess on the free side are the unauthorized vendors squating in the student parking lot.
Pretty large market, lots of "designer" clothes (new and used). The time I went there were no animals for sale (like in Socal), no pet supplies, some fresh produce, not alot of jewelry and no subwoofer enclosures for sale. There are some, but very little antique or vintage stuff. Surprisingly, there are quite a few brand-new things being sold here.
There were mountains of used purses, a ton of used backpacks, a few new mattresses, some old kitchen appliances, lots of new socks, boxes of old & new hand tools, piles of used belts, stacks of new jeans, mounds of used scarfs, new cell phone accessories, used video games, refurbished PC laptops, a few plants, tables of new shirts, rows of new undergarments, used garden tools, knives, miles of make-up, containers full of DVD's & Blue-Ray's, used car stereos, used bikes and bike parts. There's old household stuff like dishes, silverware, vacumn cleaners, toasters, pots and pans too.
Much of this stuff is probably faux or pirated. One rule-of-thumb I follow to stay safe is not to buy anything at a swap meet or flea market that you apply or injest; like toothpaste, mouthwash or make-up. Another good rule, even if they accept it, is not to charge anything on your credit cards. Keep your card numbers safe.
There are established long-term vendors and some folks selling household stuff they found, got from local garage or at an estate sale. There was even one vendor selling everything for $1. If you "lost" your BlackBerry, digital camera, luggage at the airport, bike or car stereo, it is probably being sold here at Laney. It can get very crowded, good to shop early to avoid the crowd and get the best selection.
Laney is one of the better Flea Markets I have been to with the most variety of stuff, old and new things and a great chance to find real good deals. No permanent, only portable bathrooms here that are located in the side of the market they charge, of course.
A few food vendors selling kettle corn, hot dogs, soda, hamburgers and real good tamales/tostadas. There's also a small ice cream cart that circles the parking lot for those of you looking for something cold and sweet. -
Review from valerie r.
Oakland, CA
8/14/2011
I went today and found that the sellers / vendors on the free side were much friendlier and had more interesting things in general than on the 'swap meet' $1.00 entry fee side. In fact some of the vendors on the swap meet side were a tad snotty and their prices were also too high in general. Not to mention a lack of variety in what was offered. Electronics and games / cell phones etc. rule the day on that side. I ended up buying three great pieces of sterling jewelry on the 'free entry' side, one moderately priced sterling charm bracelet on the $1.00 side as well as some bargain vintage metal buttons. It was crowded but fun.
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Review from Zelda N.
San Francisco, CA
5/26/2011
THIEVING @!#!$!!
Had my belongings stolen in San Francisco and had to buy it back here. So if you ever had your car broken into, come here first. AND when you see your stuff here, just jack it back and run like the wind. Or bring your biggest friends with the biggest bats.
Don't be an idiot like me and call the police. Ironic? Yes. Joking? NO
If you buy the electronics here, have fun sleeping at night knowing it was stolen from some poor soul.
Sincerely,
An Anti Laney Flea Market Victim for Life -
Review from Judie H.
9/7/2010 5 Check-ins Here
I've spend many childhood weekends here. I don't think there was ever a time I was bored. As a child my parents would give me a dollar and let me find something, anything I wanted. I think this was their way of trying to get me to learn how to haggle. No, that training has never worked, I still suck. I would walk around looking at things that were maybe under $1 so I could save the couple cents for the ice cream man. I remember having lots of money to buy ice cream after school, so I guess their training has helped me learn how to save...haggle...not so much =)
I like that they use the this parking lot during the weekend. They should do that to all school parking lots...what a good use. Flea Markets are cool...However the trash they leave behind is not cool. -
Review from Joey S.
2/15/2011 5 Check-ins Here
1. Park on Madison St in the lot. Don't even try to get into the main lot.
2. This place is good for bootleg DVDs and a few odds and ends.
3. Great deals are few and far between these days. The Mexicans are selling everything for damn near retail. Even the stolen goods are going for 80% of their value. It is hard to find any amazing deals unless you are trying to recover your stolen bike.
4. Get a papusa by the entrance
5. The stalls towards outside the paid entrance have become more robust so I don't bother to even go in since I just grab food and a few items. Inside has become quite redundant with your (yes, YOUR!) overpriced GPS or plain junk.
6. Yes, everything is fake. Do not pay like you are getting a retail discount, pay like it is fake. Whether it is a North Face Jacket or an iPhone charger, it is all fake. Trust me. -
Review from Dee M.
10/13/2010
Strolled through here on Sunday afternoon. Interestingly, for as much junk being sold there were also some very unique items. I found a huge dining room mirror for $45, sold at Pier One for over $100; Two candle holders $5; Handmade pencils with angels for stocking stuffers (absolutely gorgeous) $3. I start my Christmas shopping early because I like to make gift baskets filled with unique items that you cannot purchase any and everywhere. I also like to find unique and antique furnishings, so that I can take it home and paint it or add further embellishings. Shabby Chic here I come! This is a gold mine filled with unique treasures.
There are lots of items being sold that are suspect, so I would be very careful, especially if it is anything electronic. I am a MAC snob, and there are lots of vendors "advertising" MAC products, but BEWARE. I also love my True Religion, Rock & Republic jeans and there are quite a few vendors offering both. -
Review from Sam V.
Pasadena, CA
9/21/2010
The thieves market. This was my impression from other Yelp Reviews. I've had people steal from me, and it really pisses me off. I don't want to do anything that supports Thieves. But...I went. I bought a hat ($2.00) and the most wonderful fresh cocanut drink and some fantastic Thompson seedless grapes.
There are people selling washers and dryers and refridgerators here. and matresses. somehow, I don't think someone would steal a washing machine to resell it. While I admit, there may be some "dirtbags" here, my impression was the sellers were, on the most part, above board. If you're selling stolen goods, would you commit to being in one place all day or would you prefer to use Craigslist?
Yelpers are right about difficult parking... -
Review from Martha T.
San Francisco, CA
5/31/2010
5 stars because I found my stolen bike here.
1 star because I found my stolen bike here.
We'll split the difference and call it 3 stars.
Are all the bikes sold here stolen property? I don't think so, but I would estimate 80% of them are. (Here's a test: If the seller's bikes consist of rusty road bikes from the 1980's, he or she is probably a legitimate seller who liberated the bikes from garage sales or the dump. If the seller's bikes are $2000 Cannondales and Bianchis being sold for a few hundred bucks....not so much with the legit.)
The good news is that if you or a friend has had their bike stolen, you can spend a weekend wandering around the flea markets at Laney, Ashby BART, and the Oakland Coliseum with a decent shot at finding your bike. Good luck to you.
This has been a public service announcement from the Bike Liberation Front.
(One last note: If you absolutely must put your bike on the front of a MUNI bus, lock it. I'm just sayin'.) -
Review from bill s.
San Rafael, CA
Updated - 7/19/2010
Smartphones, eBay and Craigslist have destroyed the modern flea market.
No longer can you get bargains on most items - the ONLY things you can get on the cheap for real 'flea' prices are obscure, unknowable stuff that the sellers don't have time to look up on their cell phones. Or old baby junk, clothes, crap nobody wants.
Every. Single. Other. Thing. they sell is cross referenced with eBay, Craigslist and who knows what other online sources via their cells, networked laptops, etc. Find a neat old 35mm camera? Expect to pay MORE than you could get it for (guaranteed) on eBay or even some camera shops. A rare Beanie Baby? Forget it, that lady who doesn't speak English checked the last 10 that sold online and is quoting you a solid 20% over the average.
So I have to say, unless you find someone who honestly just wants to move junk (and usually it's picked over by the other regular flea sellers long before you get there) and they don't feel like checking prices, you're SOL. The electronics are almost all hot anyway, with dubious serial numbers, so not only will you pay over-retail for that stolen iPad, you won't get anything with it - and it might already be heat damaged or have some other problem you won't be able to return it for.
Produce maybe, or plants... Old baby clothes... Maybe a cool gadget in a pile of trash. But you can forget getting anything for a good price if it's in one of those plastic cases or lined up with a bunch of other clearly ripped-off laptops, cell phones, etc.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/24/2008
Used to be hands-down the best local flea market, lots of good second hand stuff and very little in… Read more »
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Review from Tim T.
7/11/2010
Pretty legit.
Some good stuff there but not for me.
Lots of electronics: laptops, phones, ps3 and gaming systems ect.
Some clothes and makeup for girls (mac).
Buyer beware though, some stuff is probably stolen or does not work.
Lots of those electronics are under sun getting beat down on makes me wary of those people buying those laptops and electronics. -
Review from Mick M.
Oakland, CA
4/26/2010
My bike was stolen from 16th & Mission BART and found here the next day. Some awesome person saw it at this flea market (it's distinctive and purty) and searched Craigslist for it, where he found my 'stolen bike' post. He emailed me and I was able to make it down to this flea market in time to find and recover my bike. I examined it for a minute (all the identifying stuff had been removed from it; light mounts, rack, kickstand) was able to determine it was my bike, and then I rode off with it.
Talking with bike shop employees and BART police, it seems this flea market and the one at Ashby BART in Berkeley are hot spots for hot items. Stolen stuff is found at both of these locations all the time.
Don't shop with these vendors, and if you do, keep your eyes out for distinctive stuff and post it on Craigslist! I'm a happy monkey because someone did it for me. -
Review from David V.
San Francisco, CA
8/16/2010
Why is do they regulate for things like fire arms but stolen bikes are fine?
The organization behind the market should either require the sale of any bikes with a slip proving ownership or get taken to court for supporting a black market for thieves. -
Review from Bob D.
CA
2/20/2007
most likely place to find the stuff someone stole out of your car last night...
I love the Laney Flea Market.
Some weekends there is some real darkside shit happening there, like the guy who was burning you DVDs of movies that were still in theaters while you waited.
Your friend's cd collection got ripped off? You can buy it back here for $2 per album.
There are often people selling off what appears to be the entire contents of their grandmother's living room or Bob and Emily Newhart's bedroom.
If you are feeling like you REALLY need some adventure, go back in the corner under the freeway. It's like a Mad Max movie back there, people selling kidneys on ice, clean urine samples... and hippies staring at the sun until their eyes bleed... shudder.
There is a pretty high concentration of people with babies and chihuahua's at this Flea Market for some reason, for me it just adds to the fun factor.
the food selection is terrible, the aisles are very hit and miss... but I have definitely found some great stuff here.
There is also somewhat of an "ick" factor. i.e. Who buys used underwear at the flea market? AND I don't wanty to know what kind of porn that old man really enjoyed when he was younger.
Still... a lot of entertainment for a dollar. -
Review from T A.
Alameda, CA
3/1/2008
I Looooove this place!!
It's hit or miss -- sometimes it's hopping with good junk and other times, it's just junk. Hit the ATM before coming.
Try the bunelos w/hot sauce and lime... totally bad for you, but it's like comfort food for slum-shopping. Shake the bag really well and bring some spare napkins.
Careful if you ask for anything there "with everything on it" - These hombres like to pile the toppings on. Even mangoes get hot sauce.. it's crazy but, in the best way possible.
You will find yourself stepping in puddles when there has been no rain. That's no rain puddle.. that's pee. Take your shoes off before you walk inside your home after a day at Laney Flea Market.
Someone else already mentioned the seedy area beneath the freeway. I like to call that area Tweaker Town. You can buy anything for a buck in that section - though it's gotten smaller through the years.
Don't fall for the bootleg DVDs.. totally bad quality. Even if someone tells you otherwise (another shopper) - assume they hired them to stand there, as none of them work.
I have a crush on the oatmeal/snack bar guy w/the reddish hair. He called me beautiful and now, my panties are in a bunch every time I see him. I'm positive I am the only chick he ever said that to.
Good people watching! My faves are the Oakland - "Bling-Pimps"
HELLA funny! Love me a man in velour and fake diamonds. -
Review from Heidi T.
Oakland, CA
5/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
So.... everyone decided to get together and stuff their vans full of the junk from their kids closets and their garage, get their at the crack of dawn, open the back doors of their vans and have it "vomit" the contents onto the pavement... then set up a tent of the supplies and plop their butts down into a chair and wait for people to pay a buck to walk past and view all the junk.
Wow. I guess I can check this off my bucket list now. D.O.N.E.
Oh yeah.... I did try the hot churro. The gentleman asked me something (no, I am not latin or asian so I was a minority at this place) and I gave him a funny look... then he said it again (same language, which I now know was English but spoken very quickly and with a VERY heavy accent). He wanted to know if I wanted it filled or not and if so...with what? I ended up choosing caramel. OMG. When I bit into the churro.... molten lava caramel poured out onto my chin and my hands! Quite tasty but VERY dangerous! Not bad for $2!
I live within walking distance of this place. I now know why there isn't any street parking on Sundays near my apt building! -
Review from Kathleen W.
Albany, CA
7/27/2010 1 Check-in Here
$1.00 to get in.
Parking can be tough, so be prepared to walk.
I was more excited about all the food than the wares. If I go back, it'll be for the food and possibly 1 of the 2 produce stands that had a lot of fruits and vegetables for pretty cheap. Oh ... and kettle corn.
Old furniture, socks, misc clothing and iphone / ipod accessories. Cool to look at, but not stuff I wanted to pick through. -
Review from Phil S.
San Francisco, CA
12/12/2009
Did you leave your bike in a shady area last night and only lock up the front wheel? You did? You're an idiot and don't deserve that bike.. you learned the hard way.. but.. oh yeah.. you're an idiot.. you didn't learn anything!
But.. if you're in that situation (or if ANYTHING was stolen from you Saturday night) get to the Laney College Flea Market BEFORE 9am on Sunday. There is a high chance of finding it there. Come armed and with friends (big ones) and drop kick anybody who gets in between you and what's yours! Make a scene and don't be intimidated. These people are fat and slow.
Espanol is pretty much needed here. The vendors are for the most part extremely stupid and stubborn. Most are intoxicated or strung out it seems.
And, for the lady who gave this place an extra star for puppies being sold out of coolers? Seeing these disgusting examples of life selling puppies (or anything with a pulse) seriously makes my heart drop.
I love going to this place to people watch. I never buy anything! -
Review from Tina E.
Alameda, CA
9/18/2007 4 photos
Bring a dollar, because the buck entry fee is all you can plan to spend. Unless you want to buy a really cheap bra, someone's discarded cell phone, a power drill, most likely possessing no power, or some basketball shoes in size 15, then you are likely to wonder why you came. This is equivalent to a drive by yard sale where everything exists on one level, on the ground, strewn about on a blanket stained with cat pee. If you walk briskly you might be able to forgive yourself for stopping at this sad lot full of junk (a word that is usually much more full of promise).
Some of you give this sale 4 and 5 stars and I have to ask, have you been to a good, even average flea market? Do you pride yourself on a good bargain? You must venture out more, hit some old school flea markets full of grandma's old treasures, not cast offs from Wal-Mart. I know the word antiques may scare some of you who are afraid of tea cups and doilies, but please, you have to do better than this. Just because you don't want to spend a lot of money, doesn't mean you have to settle for crap.
I give this one star. This star is for the photo opportunities that abound, something akin to a Martin Parr style of photography. But ultimately, to a lover of flea markets and yard sales, this was a real disappointment. Is abomination, too strong a word? -
Review from jay h.
4/30/2006
This place is JANKY!!! Fer reals....
socks...endless socks. Hey need a blender that was originally made in 1970? Dude...there's like 80 of them for sale!! Wait!!! You gotta buy sun faded VHS movies of movie's staring Robert Downey Jr. that you forgot existed!!!
My favorite are the Ho's in Da Club hoochie wear that they sell alongside tranny sized glittery heels. Who ISN'T down for a skanklicious outfit that probably glows in the dark.
Want a Coach purse? A Louis Vitton? too bad for you!!! They only have Foach purses and Fouis Vitton for sale...and Fooney & Burke too.
I love this place though for the carts of food that sells sliced cucumber, mango, jicama and watermelon. Also the taco trucks and the snow cone cart that is found at EVERY Flea Market in the whole world.Listed in: Take this shopping experience…
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Review from Fallon P.
6/20/2010 6 Check-ins Here
I usually make the trek out here twice a month. But, it may have to be once every other month since toll is going up to $5 on the weekends starting in July! Sheesh!
Anyway, you can find a ton of random stuff, new, used, and yes stolen items here. I def wouldn't buy any electronics or bootleg DVD's from here bc they look sketchy.
Not bad for $1 admission. I'd rather go here than make the journey to the SJ Flea Market any day. And here most of the vendors are willing to come down in price when you haggle with them.
I've mostly bought $1 nail polish and a few slightly used handbags from the woman I deem the "bag lady" who has a mound of bags piled on the floor and on a table. You'll know what I'm talking about when you see her.
My only gripes are that parking can be such a pain. So, def go early. Also, make sure to bring hand sanitizer and watch your step bc there's trash everywhere and who knows what else lurking on the pavement... -
Review from trevor l.
San Francisco, CA
12/5/2007
Honestly, you can save your vintage flea market treasure chest for someone else. I'm looking for some good deals.
2 packs of socks, AA batteries, a new pair of Levis, 5 pirated dvd's, 2 cd's, a brand new REI jacket with the tags included (don't ask the vendors any questions), a live in person bum fight, and possibly the best Carinitas/mystery meat tacos i've had in my life (outside of a drunken night in TJ)...all for $75, enough said! -
Review from Mary C.
Oakland, CA
4/7/2009
I think I just had the best hot dog in my life! Cilantro, tomatoes, mayonnaise, Dijon, reg mustard and ketchup. Mmmmm. Oooo, and roasted corn - hot enough to burn my gums and ever so tasty (gotta put mayonnaise, Parmesan, chili powder and lemon juice)! Finish it up with some kettle corn and you are good to go.
What else can you find at the flea market? Anything that is typically stolen from your house: bikes, remote controls, oatmeal, Blue-ray DVD burners, flat screens, machetes, 4 for $10 socks and white Ts. You'll see pirate ships, scary antique portraits of somebody's ancestor, trunks that belong in attics, porcelain dolls that'll attack you at night, Thai Buddha heads, lawn chairs, clothes, records, Ipod chargers, peanuts, bootleg DVDs, pretty much anything you can think of. -
Review from Michele M.
San Rafael, CA
4/22/2008
If your bike was stolen, go here on Sundays. I bet you will find it. My neighbor is a cop and we invited him for a stroll there last weekend. He said, "OOOhh... you mean the stolen everything flea market?"
Sad but kinda true. The fun part is asking the sellers to explain the technical components of a stolen $3K road bike. Stumps them every time.
Hey, owners of Planet Funk, there is a vendor who has two stacks of your stolen denim in size 27 & 28 with your tags still on them. Catch them if you can.
Another vendor stole an entire drawer of the new Victoria Secret wireless bra in size 38C.
I hate to admit it, but I bought a brand new French Connection dress for $10 bucks.. I'm pretty sure it fit neatly inside this:
http://www.thisnext.co...
In any case if the weather is nice and you are hungry for roach coach meals and guilty deals roll on by...Listed in: My Neighborhood, Bored with a Dog
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Review from Scott F.
Oakland, CA
11/12/2006
Actually pretty interesting as flea markets go. This is way better than the Ashby one where hippies are selling tie die and macrome pot holders and other junk you can buy any day on Telegraph avenue. I saw some insense, but no booths packed with tie die.
Yeah, it's junky. That's what flea markets are, right? But it's way more interesting to look at the old junk here than a bunch of hippie crap and froo froo organic produce like you get in places like Berkeley. And it's not only junky, cheap packaged stuff. Yeah, it's dirty, full of litter and by the freeway. But like other people have said, it has a weird range of offerings. Most of it is actually used. If I wanted to find new stuff that looked nice and had warranties I'd go to a regular store. The clothes fashions are rather odd and were a loss to me.
Old computer motherboards nestle up next to the peanut and fried pig skin stands. The taco truck has cabesa (head) as a choice of meat. I saw a steering wheel from a boat down the isle from underwear, socks and old bikes. It's a weird mixture of things.
The people watching is interesting, also. About 95% of the people walking around are speaking Spanish and it seems to be a family outing for many. The harried wives are trying to watch the kids while the husbands saunter by in their cowboy hats. There are occasional broke-looking Caucasian white hipster college kids, some African-Americans of all types (from goateed Samuel L. Jackson look-alikes to urban youth). Then there seem to be a number of older, retired once-in-the-military-looking types, too. A few Asians are selling their wares but there aren't many walking around the isles. I really liked the people watching.
You might find something you want. You might not. But if you take it for what it is and in the right frame of mind it's enjoyable for an hour or two. -
Review from Black K.
Oakland, CA
I've been coming here for decades... The Laney College Flea Market is the 'old school" flea market that you all grew up with.
Not one of those snobby flea markets in other cities, this flea market is dirty, nasty, loud, with EVERY language possibly spoken in the Bay Area here. If you don't like Mexican mariachi music-don't come here. Because that's all you will here.
However, if you have an eagle eye, you will find almost anything you may be looking for. Socks. Soap. Shorts. Ipods. Accessories. Comforters. Mattresses. Tires. Long lost Michael Jackson Tapes. VCR. Bootlegged Movies. Stolen merchandise... Yada. Yada. Yada... lol
I haven't tried the food yet, but the constant long lines at the taco trucks and hot dog stands must mean the food is quite tasty at a reasonable price.
If you do come-take your time. Although there are a couple of "junk artists" you will be surprise to learn that many of items sold by vendors are actually top-notch quality.
The only downside with the flea market is PARKING IS NONEXISTENT. I suggest you take public transit-its a short walk from the Lake Merritt BART Station-or be prepared to park a few blocks away and hike your way in.
