SINGAPORE – Clothes at one dollar? At Flea Party, it is possible! Organized by Fleawhere, Flea Party allows people to replenish their wardrobes without burning a hole in their pockets.

 

Formerly known as ‘For Flea Sake’, Fleawhere is one of Singapore’s largest and most frequent flea organizer. They have had ongoing flea markets every day since they started five years ago.

 

The price of a booth usually ranges from $70 on a weekday to $160 on a weekend.

 

Vendors are encouraged to bring products that fall under the category of fashion, lifestyle and handmade. They can also provide services such as hand painting or bead making.

 

Some locations that the fleas have been held at are CHIJMES, Lucky Plaza and PasarBella, with Lucky Plaza being the most frequented.

 

Zoey Chua, a vendor who sells clothes and mobile phone accessories, said that most of her customers are Filipinos and foreign workers. “I get the most customers on Sundays when they (the workers) have their off-days,” she added.

 

She picked Lucky Plaza as the location to sell her items as she feels that the customers do not have to keep up with the constantly changing fashion trends and are only looking for cheap items.

 

Another interesting vendor is Stephanie Ong. She has been operating her booth for 8 years without advertising it on social media.

 

When asked on why she chose Lucky Plaza as the location to sell her pre-loved items, she replied, “I guess it is because this flea is among the more popular ones.”

 

Arlajane Araquil is one of those who found out about this flea market through word-of-mouth. She is not a fussy buyer and does not mind buying used items, but she always checks if the item is still usable and in a good state.

 

The venue does not matter to her too. “There are times when we would go to air conditioned places, but usually there isn’t (air-con), and that is okay with me,” she said with a smile.

 

Araquil feels that the flea market has a wide range of items, and she would definitely recommend it to her friends.

 

If you are considering whether to go for the flea market, this 54-year-old customer might be able to make up your mind. Josephine Hoo was carrying a bag filled with wool sweaters and she was smiling from ear to ear.

 

She came to know about Flea Party after her son did some research for her.

 

“I am visiting this flea market to buy winter wear for my son who is going overseas. I also bought some items for myself,” she said happily. “I am unable to point out my favourite stall due to the huge variety of goods available.”

 

I can safely say that I won’t be shopping in malls as often anymore!