It’s time of the year for another “fleamart event”

Last year, we had a fleamart event at Kovan.  For those who remembered, Hou Chong gave us his item which was the marmalade jam.  Unfortunately, we could not hold it as planned,  on our own.  Then, on recommendation, we teamed up with other fleamart stalls at Kovan; although the results were so so, if not, not exciting.

Well, this is the time of the year again.  I thought it would be a good time again, to start a fleamart event.  No dates or venue yet.  Any thoughts on how we can proceed?

We have organised fleamarts many times before.  While fleamarts may not be a big income or part-time time or funtime income for us, it is still an activity that SilverHairs can go into, in their free time, and be their own boss.  Over the years, I sense Singaporeans are not in the market for used items.  We tend to go more new items or good used items.

Let’s think hard.  Maybe tell us what you have, and some of us may have an idea how to help out.  My favourite is of course, used condoms.  In fact, I am running short of them.  Dont be shy.  What have you to sell, new or used?

Terence Seah

Author: Terence Seah

Founder

44 thoughts on “It’s time of the year for another “fleamart event””

  1. Years ago, we had a fleamart event near Arab street/Beach Road. It was a cool stretch of road with good traffic. Held on a weekend in conjunction with the monthly gathering, I think we did well. I sold most of my condoms, main customers were tourists. Haha, that was eventful.

    Upon recommendation by Dan, we had another fleamart held at Safra. This time, it was indoor, held also in conjunction with a monthly gathering. Hou Chong was the star. Again, that was eventful.

    Then, there was a shared event, with other Kovan flea stall holders. Guess, it was hot, so the event was not exciting.

    Let’s try again.

    Terence Seah

  2. Hi Terence

    How about an online fleamart? Admin/You can write the flea mart post and members with items to se11 can post them on the forum with their e-mail contacts. As this forum is open to the public, members of the public will be our potential customers besides SHC members. We can designate one month as fleamart month.

    Cheers,

  3. Hi Jassmine #2,

    I appreciate this feedback and response to setting up an online fleamart. I don’t know what kind of response we will get, but since you ask, I am prepared to give it a go. As part of SHC moving onto another level of excitement, we should be more forward looking.

    In the beggining, I was never supportive of such advertising because we were not so sure how to handle a forum with advertising. As part of our taboos, we did not allow direct selling and MLM. After so many donkey years, SilverHairsClub has become a mature club.

    Let’s wait until next Monday, hear from other members, and we will start an online fleamart on this forum. The Post will only be started by Admin, so I shall start it until such a stage, as we are comfortable with this new activity. Hopefully, if we have mutual understanding on the concept, I would ask you to help me with this online fleamart on maybe, a monthly basis.

    Basically, the rules should be kept simple.

    1. Only buy and sale items by “individual” registered SHC members permitted. Price can be listed.
    2. Email address can be published. No tel numbers or contact addresses allowed. As this is advertising, replies will not be permitted. Interested buyers will have to contact the seller via email.
    3. Individual membership cannot advertise “corporate” items.
    4. Members will have to publish the fleamart/sale items personally, not through another member. You have to use an AVATAR image, so that we know who the seller is.
    5. Simple, it’s free.
    6. Maximum of 5 lines in the comment box.

    And, if the admin finds the advertisement as not suitable, the comment will be deleted.

    ok Jassmine?

    Any other ideas and comments by interested members?

    Terence Seah

  4. 1. Other ideas on the fleamart, I am pretty inclined to include 2-3 fleamart stalls during “Good morning Chinatown”. Of course, the stalls will have to be suitable to the theme, and mid-Autumn festival. More updates when we get the approval to host the event.

    2. Subject to suitability of the sale items, I am also thinking of allowing one registered SilverHair to have a small table at $10 per day, at where Brastilava cafe is located. Only items suited to CBD staff along Robinson/Shenton accepted. Please email me directly.

    3. We should encourage more SHC men or women with craft and hobby skills to come into the open, and be able to promote and sell their crafts. Examples would include dolls making, paper origami products, sewing items, magic tricks, “How to IT?” and Internet knowledge. There is nothing to be shy about using your skills and turning it into a little income for oneself. You will also get to meet and make more friends.

    Terence Seah

  5. Hi Terence,
    Wonderful to hear that the flea mart is on the plan. Thank you for initiating the post.
    Yes, I did enjoy myself very much at SHC flea market in the past years where besides selling my Kumquat Marmalade, I also had the opportunity to mingle and get to know other members.
    Weekend Flea marts and Farmers’ mart are popular in W Australia. For most people, it is a regular weekend outing . So why is the draw? 1) The atmosphere – like a carnival, an open space where people feel free to move about or sit around feeling good. Most ppl are friendly and chatty here . A solo musician in the background with his hat in front. 2) The Products – (a) home-made hobbyist items eg., soap, essential oils, dolls, dresses, tea towels. (b) home-made food eg “real” sour dour bread, pastries, (c) home grown or home processed produce – pasteurized but not homogenised milk, raw honey, fruits and fresh veg (organic mainly), free range eggs, cut flowers. (d) crafts and collectibles – paintings, ladder products, decorative glass works & metalworks, most reflecting the artists’ personal talent. Old records, time pieces, cameras are sometimes found. 3) F & B – usually the type which are prepared on the spot – coffee, fruit juice, hot dog etc. 4) The retailers – they are a friendly lot. In summary, it is an exciting yet down to earth market where hobbyist can express themselves and shoppers come to enjoy the atmosphere.
    Some of the a/mentioned can’t be adopted for us eg. the availability of large open space and the cool weather. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the flea mart should aimed at providing products which buyers want and a place where people feel happy to come to browse or just visit. A Virtual mart and the Brastilava Café, would do well to provide the route where buyers can continue to shop after the flea mart is over. They are however, different retailing outlets, not to be confused with a Fleamart.
    Personally, I have lined up a few home-made products for the mart – items which (I think) many will love to have (ahem!). Your idea of having a space at the Café to display/sell small items, is excellent. Will contact you regarding the last note, separately.
    HC

  6. Hi Terence #3

    Will be glad to assist.
    Hv learnt the 6 regulations by heart! LOL :)

    I gather from the 6 regulations that your primary concern for this ‘novel’ online flea-m idea is the abuse – members using this free space to advertise their products. i think it’ll be helpful to have a profile of the SHC flea-m seller.

    eg. of profile:
    1. Seller is a member recognised by Terence and at least 5 regular contributors to the forum. Silent member sellers will be recognised from their avatars.

    2. Casual sellers, selling things they are proud of like home-made products, out-of-production items, white elephants, retro stuff, recycled things… but not corporate products or services.

    ( SHC forum is a safe place, and it’s important that member sellers are transparent, responsible and accountable. )

    Can always start the ball rolling and refine/adapt as we go along …. :)

  7. Hi Terence & All,

    Yes, i’m in favour of the idea of an ON-LINE flea market. This will bring more excitement to our club.

    Jassmine’s & Hou Chong’s ideas are great.

    Buyer & seller can arrange privately to collect the items. This will be like the on-line Bidding system. If possible, we can even post a picture of the item?

    Regards, LydiaChin.

  8. Hi Terence,

    I share HC idea, thinks it s cool to have home-made food , home grown and F & B prepared on the spot.

    Prehaps a little add on to this year flea mart with a different style of approach. Jus suggestion.

    Rgds
    Audrey

  9. Hi Terence,

    LydiaC (#7) mentioned posting of pictures. Is this possible? I think pics are very important – they help potential buyers have an idea of how the items look like.

  10. hi terence,
    to support you and the event l put up my lst fleamart item.but the posting not show under comment e.g. 1 comment etc.then ppl wont know there are items for sell.
    Only one item per month,hmmmmmm. well lets see response,if not many can allow more often?
    rgds
    joyce

  11. Hi Jassmine,
    Your point on pictures is noted. This part of the website does not allow pictures. But, I shall see if we can have them when we change the system. Once you are ready to manage the online fleamart, I am prepared to let you make the decision, as long as the system is capable of doing so. ok?

    Joyce,
    Very nice to have your support. We have always had such request for some form of personal advertising. Now, let’s see the demand.

    And, what I meant was one advert per person per month. Again, point noted, for now. We can be flexible at a later date. Joyce plaase remember one of the requirements is you need to have an Avatar image.

    Terence Seah

  12. Hi Terence,

    I can understand JoyceT’s concern (#10)that adverts placed on the online flea-m page are not reflected on the ‘comments’ page. Then there’s the problem of the online flea-m post getting pushed down and down by newer posts.

    i think to remind members and visitors that there’s a flea-m in SHC website, could you place a heading of it in the ‘menu’ column on the left of the homepage?

    i can also give a weekly update of the adverts on the ‘comments’ page.

    Hopefully these refinements would help the online flea-m to survive! lol! :)

  13. Hi All

    To resolve your upload of images, it’s quite simple n easy/ U have the following choices to choose –
    1. http://www.imageshack.us
    2. http://www.photobucket.com
    3. picasa webalbum

    Just upload all your pictures but dont forget to print text (description or item reference) on the images itself for identification. When this is done, just copy/cut n paste the link below your stuff.

  14. Hi Jassmine #13 and Joyce #10, Lydia, and members,

    If you have something to sell, rent or buy, go ahead. Just no corporate products/service and no MLM.

    Examples:a TV, some books, an apartment for rent, some curry leaves for sale, personal service to look after kids, a pair of cruise-to-somewhere, a bed with a few bed bugs for sale, fixing household service available.

    Remember, our “Husbands for hire”, and marmalade jam. What about a used wedding ring? Or a wedding gown you have not used for the last 30 years?

    I also remembered the “male dog available for female dog” service. What I am trying to say is, it’s all up to your imagination, and whatever you can sell in your daughter-in-law’s apartment.

    Jassmine, take this Online Fleamart on.
    All personal buy, sell and rent under each month’s Online Fleamart, should not be under moderation. They will appear as a comment. Try again,Please.

    Hi Yew Ywong,
    Thank you for the suggestion of how to upload pictures on popular available websites.

    StevenN,
    I shall have this suggestion followed up, although I am aware this will affect some unknown layout appearance in the club.

    Terence Seah

  15. Hi Terence,

    It will not change the appearance as you are not changing the wordpress theme. You are just adding an additional plugin to allow the posting of images on the comments section.

    The only consideration – are you comfortable to upgrade to more recent version of wordpress instead of the out-of-date version you are currently using? This is a requirement as the plugin will not work in the older version.

  16. Thank you Steven. I see you are very knowledgeable with WordPress softrware. I will look into the possibililty of adding pictures when we upgrade. Unfortunately, as of now, I am not comfortable with making this change.

    Terence Seah

  17. Hi Terence,
    The flea-m post for adverts has been pushed down from its top position a week ago to 6th position now. Soon it’ll be ousted from the 1st page to the 2nd page…and become history! :(

    There is a need to create a SHORTCUT for the Online Flea-m post to keep it ‘visible’ all the time to visitors and members browsing the SHC website.

  18. Hi James,

    I have removed your advert from the online Fleamart. Please read the rules before posting an ad on this Post. You may repost, after understanding the rules.

    Terence Seah

  19. Hi Terence

    I’ve just attended ASSISI HOSPICE thanks giving dinner tonight.I helped out in their charity bazaar last months. there were lots of stores selling all sorts of things – very exciting.
    We can organise something like that either for charity purpose or commercials. But if you’d like to have a regular fleamart run by SHC(collectively or by individual members) there’re several mrt stations (1 of them is Pasir Ris) and CC that rent out space either weekly or bi-monthly. the rental ranges from S$10-$50 per lot/day.
    there are many bazaar organisers who advertise in ST for their space too (mostly in industrial park, office plaza or shopping centers). their rental usually is S$80-$500/stall/day

  20. Congrats Joyce for selling your keyboard in our first online Fleamart. I like to encourage you to look further into your storeroom, and see what else you can sell.

    For members who have items to sell or service to provide, please note “No company items or services”. We will have the same online Fleamart Post every month. Jassmine Teo has volunteered to be the moderator for this monthly online event. Thanks Jass. By the way, you had some suggestions. Let’s see how we progress over the next 2-3 months. I am inline with your thoughts.

    Have fun.

    Terence Seah

  21. Hi Terence
    1. About the rule requiring an avatar of the advertiser’s own face so as to be recognizable to others –

    the avatars of members’ faces in the forum are mostly BLUR. I don’t think they are recognizable from their avatars. As such, why not apply this rule to only inactive/silent members who are mostly ‘invisible’? i.e. ACTIVE members, recognized by other ACTIVE members in the forum, do not really need an avatar of themselves – we all know they are ‘real’ people.

    2. Regarding the successful sale of a posted item –
    it’ll be helpful to browsers if there is an indication, on the online flea-m page, that an item has been sold.

  22. Hi Frank
    Regarding the online fleamart advertisements – one advertisement can only have five lines (Rule 6). Hence we shall be editing your text to keep it to about 5 lines.

  23. Each month, we open up a Post on fleamart sales. Jassmine Teo is the Event coordinator.

    So, look into your stores, your daughter-in-law’s store, and if you find something nobody wants, you can always advertise it here. Companies are not allowed to sell here.

    If you are looking for something, you can also advertise it here. Eg you are looking for a IPAQ2. You can advertise it in the August’s Post.

    Jassmine Teo reserves the right to edit out telephone numbers, contact details or overlength ads. Only email address allowed. Have fun guys and gals.

    Terence Seah

  24. Hi Edwin

    I’ve shifted your ‘advert’ here from the online fleamart page. On this thread, interested members can post their comments. I’m interested in taking up this ‘challenge’. :) Will e-mail you.

    Hi All
    The following post was written by Edwin Chen:

    Ladies Only. Sing and learn simple strumming of the Ukelele or Guitar. Free! When ready & able, perform for elders’ Homes and others. Contact Uncle Ed at: edbychen@yahoo.com

  25. Hi Pearl Kwan,

    Regarding your advertisement – you have posted it on the August fleamart page instead of the September fleamart page.
    The advert will be more visible if you repost it on the September thread.

    Cheers,

  26. I have reposted this comment by Mary Chan on this thread as message on the online fleamart thread is not allowed.

    The following comment was posted by Mary Chan:

    Hi James #5
    I replied to your email address but got this noreply ‘Boxbe.com’ intercepting my message, asking me to sign up before the message can be delivered. Is this ok?

  27. Hi Steven,

    M happy to learn you’ve sold your printer. Tks for the update.

    How about selling some plants? But price must be lower than ‘market’ price. LOL!

    Cheers,

  28. Hi Steven
    Online fleamart rule 2 says “…no replies to advertisements allowed..” This implies no questions, comments etc, about the items on sale. The fleamart thread is strictly for advertisements and the status of items advertised if the advertiser wants to inform readers. Hence i have moved your comment to this thread. See below:

    The following comment was written by Steven Chan:

    Hi Jasmine Teo,

    Wirh ref to yr comment on plants on sale from another post ,
    If you are interested in buying plants from me below market price , I had experimented with a sample of a mini bonsai dragon fruit plant which grows well at my window as it receives a lot of sunlight.

    Unless, there is a strong demand for these mini bonsais , I can grow more and sell them in time at our annual flea mart if any. So far, I had not seen them being sold at nurseries or pasar malam Hopefully, Dan or others can be EO for this “fun” and ” exciting ” event esp. if u are a vendor.

  29. Hi Steven,

    Kindly read the Online fleamart for Sept post again. I have highlighted the salient parts.

    *********************************************************
    The following comment was written by Steven Chan:

    Hi Jassmine Teo,

    As there were 3 posts of online flea mart, it is obvious to any member to see the latest post.

    As such I did NOT see so many rules and regulations re: flea mart sale of items. anyway, thanks for your kind comment.

  30. Hi Jac

    Hv decided to use this thread to answer your questions posed in the ‘award’ thread (#35). I felt energized when i saw the qns. :)

    Here are the answers:

    1)The calm river refers to the status quo in SHC.

    2)The canoeist will pick himself up when he floats out of the danger spot to the shallows because life goes on after an upheaval.

    cheers,

  31. Hi James,

    M happy to learn you’ve sold the tour vouchers. :) The post for Oct is akan datang – by tomorrow night. Need to check something first.

  32. No chatter allowed on the online fleamart thread. The following were re-posted to this thread (chatter is allowed here)

    Tim Liu says:
    Walau eh, Dan-H, you’re selling the mother of pearl and wall hanged her to display somemore………

    Early men rubbed stones to make fire. What do we get from rubbing stones? Fire? Dunno but definitely got noises and sound, hehe.

    Seriously, in SHC we tease and open ourslves to teases. Ok, I expect retribution so however cruel the tease coming to me is, I accept lor.

    Like the great footballer Butty Ahmad always says, relac lah.

    Adios n G’nite.

    Steven Chan says:
    Hi Tim Liu,

    …..Tim Liu Says:
    October 10th, 2011 at 3:45 am

    At 3.45am and you are still wide awake ?
    Are you suffering from insomnia ?

    Tim Liu says:
    Steven-C, it’s 1 thing to say Tim Liu says “Oct 19th, 2011 at 3:45 am”; it’s another that he said smthg at the time hor.

    Btw, what I wrote it shd be “What do we get from rubbing pearls?”, not “stones”. A case of letting it go out too quickly.

    Not insomnia but looking for ghosts and ghouls on the island where convicts killed prison wardens while attempting to escape. Managed only to see the backside of a giraffe bcos his head peeped into a washroom at siloso beach.

    Somewhere else you said Hokien songs are melodious. True but lucky you cant read the lyrics. Read them in Cantonese and even a giraffe will give up his loo-see and flee as if chased by mad Lucy in loo she pees and he sees.

    Be ready to be lambasted with ?? and be prepared for some real on-the-spot ?-ing when the tempo reaches a crescendo. Sigh, hehe………….

  33. Hi Frisna

    Have reposted your question here so that it can receive a response from the advertiser.

    To all: The following comment was posted by Frisna:

    Hi Ivan,

    has 1 lying around (Chimei brand). what’s your ‘token’ price?

  34. Hi Ah Nee
    Have reposted your message to Ivan here. Can use this thread for communication. Ivan did not leave his email address in his advertisement and so members couldn’t contact him privately.

    Hi All: The following comment was written by Ah Nee:

    Hi Ivan,

    I have a Samsung 17″ LCD monitor screen given to me by my colleague. After looking high and low at my home, don’t think I want to bring home and keep it. The machine at my office has not been utilized until 2 weeks ago, another colleague decided to use it temporary before she gets her new Laptop by end Dec 2011. If you can wait, I will give it to you. The monitor screen is in good working condition….”ai mai”?

    Sam huat huat huat…..this one cannot group under “Karung Guni” item hor…..those items that sometimes work…sometimes don’t work…”ai pai leow” then I will give you lah…hehehe….

    Sorry Jassmine, I may have omments at the wrong post…aiyo, sorry hor.

    Ah Nee

  35. Hi All,

    The following comment was written by Sam Huat:
    halo ah hiah hew lee ,

    can 1 chope 1 bo? as i dun ve 1 printer ..if can..will come 2 u & collect lor….

    thks 10q 10q 10q kam sia kam sia..

    sam huat

    The following comment was written by Hewlee:

    Sam Goh,
    I noted my comment requires “moderation” before posting on this web page. To be fair to other SHC members, I suggest let the post be out first and response as directed through email only and not on this post.
    Hope you understand.
    hewlee

  36. Karen Thio says:

    Christina .. Can u take a photo of the sewing machine n email to me … Kazathio@gmail.com

    What the brand and can it sew design n button holes ?
    How old is the sewing machine m which brand – singer / brother ?

    Thanks.

  37. Reposted from the Online Fleamart thread which does not support comments.

    Rosalind Lee says:

    Just so no one misunderstood my offer at #4 as ‘free disposal’ of furniture, I can always get the Town Council to do so for free..:) The living room set, the TV console & matching cabinet, etc are in excellent condition so it’s sayang to throw them away. Maybe you might know of a neighbour who would like to change their furniture? Cheers

  38. Reposed from online Flea mart thread.

    Gabriella Chua says:

    Hi June

    I’m interested in the above trip to JB. Separate email sent to you.

    Tks,
    Gabriella

  39. Reposted from online flea mart thread. This announcement regards a ‘corporate’ event and is not acceptable as advertisement on the online flea market which is essentially a ‘sell/buy’ site.

    Lydia Chin says:

    I have a CNY dinner event at Hougang CC on 5th Feb 2012 (Sunday). Tickets at $20 each. With live band entertainment by professional performers, Isacc & Velon. They will be singing mainly chinese songs. Price includes a 9-course sit down chinese dinner. Those interested please email me on lydiachinyk@gmail.com for more details.

  40. I am thinking aloud if the online fleamart is of interest to members. Jassmine Teo has given a lot of thought into this online fleamart. We do get about 5-7 personal items for sale or rent each month. As long as the items are personal to you, feel free to use this online fleamart.

    Perhaps, everybody has done their house spring cleaning, and may not have anything left in their storerooms. If you are not sure, if your item is suitable for rent or sale or giveaway free, please email to Jassmine for clarification.

    Terence Seah

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