The Really Really Free Market

Every 1^st Saturday of the month, a strange thing happens in the Carrboro Town Commons. After the Carrboro Farmers Market clears, a truly free market starts and tons of people start descending on the gazebo-​like structure ready to rummage through other people’s stuff sharing/​taking things as they see it. People show up in cars, bicycles, scooters and on foot carrying in/​out their old/​new loot. Free food, clothes, electronics, and nick-nacks…whatever has been produced has prolly already shown up here at one point or another. And… it’s all free.
This is the second time we’ve been to this once-​a-​month event — in November 2009 and just recently today. I like the concept behind this event and in a perfect world, it would generate a great venue for dialogue between individuals to give and receive goods. In practice… it’s a bit more like a free-​for-​all — kind of like «organized» chaos where nothing ever gets out of hand and all the colorful characters in Carrboro come out. What we observed each time was a bit unsettling and funny at the same time — there are what appears to be roving herds of «vultures» that descend on new «victims» or individuals that bring in their wares. It’s a bit unsettling for the uninitiated… but it’s nothing to be shocked at… just…amusing in a social observation sort of way. Just be forewarned b/​c our first experience was quite traumatic!
Regardless, if you like to watch people and interact with some pretty interesting and diverse folks, this is a great venue! With the rare exception, everyone is civil and friendly (one time we observed some ladies fighting over the VCR tapes we dropped off!). So you can strike up some really interesting conversations with everyone there… depending on your comfort level, of course! I started talking to this man who had the coolest looking cargo/​trailer bike who then referenced two women next to him from Cycle 9 (a commuting bicycle shop down the road) who sold the bike to him. Pretty informative and super cool! He then proceeded to ride off into the sunset with a crate of bananas.
So, what happens here really? No trading, bartering or tendering of money… you just lay out your stuff that you don’t want anymore. People come over and peruse your stuff. If someone likes something, they take it. If they don’t, you’ve still got your pile of stuff. Tom Zart’s line «One man’s trash is another man’s treasure; As one woman’s junk gives others pleasure» rings true here. There are some regulars (as evidenced by our 2 trips here) — there always seems to be a group of individuals who «run» the show and they have a poster and some literature about capitalism, worker’s rights, etc. in the middle of the gazebo structure. Since it’s free, selection and variety can be hit or miss. Both times we’ve been here, we’ve seen some food (today, free cherry pie and literally boxes of yellow bananas), an old typewriter, tons of clothes, books, dishes, and some electronics (an old speaker) among other stuff.
All in all, it’s a great idea and a great venue/​resource for your old stuff. Depending on your comfort level and psyche, you might be fine… but rest assured, everything here is free. You won’t lose your soul in the process, but pickings will be slim and you’ll have to rummage. 5 stars for the concept, 2 stars for the reality (selection is hit or miss and you might feel acosted by the swarm of vultures descending on you) = 3.5 stars. We’ll be back… just not every month.