Rob writes about his first visit to the market on June 1st:

I went there on Saturday - .... First, I was pleasantly surprised at the friendly atmosphere there - everyone was smiling and happy and helpful - and it IS a place where you can go and just take what you need - I expected that you'd have to find someone to ask if you could have something - didn't happen - it was great - I got a slow cooker that had a note attached to it about the handle on the lid - someone was very thoughtful - but hey, it works, I can still get the lid off. Here's the disappointment .... and I make no bones about it. Toronto has a population of several million - WE have a membership of over 25,000 - so where the hell was everyone? Every day I see posts offering this, that, something else. I see posts asking for that, this and all the rest. I am one of them - I post offers, I post wanteds, I respond to offers and wanteds.... Just yesterday was a post 'Last chance before the magazines go to recycling....' How many times have we seen people offer and then re-offer items because nobody responded? How many times have we seen people ask and then re-ask because nobody responded.... HERE'S the chance, once a month, to pack the car up with everything that you don't want, bring it to a central place, put it out on tables... you don't even have to sit there all day - after all, you're not selling the damned stuff, it's free for whoever wants it - sort it out into the various areas for electronics, ladies clothing, kitchen stuff, yada yada yada, and hey, if you don't want to stay and meet and greet some fantastic people, go home.... or stick around and see what everyone else is bringing and take home a few items that you could use..... Personally, I think this FreeMarket idea is fantastic - I can see it turning into a neat monthly event during the summer - hell, if we all get involved as participants, let's get some folks to bring portable bbq's and some burgers, bring the family, have a picnic while you 'shop' and go home and not spend a cent. Whatever gets left over goes to charities at the end of the day - it doesn't go to Goodwill or Sally Ann or that other un-mentionable leaching place that takes donations in and then sells them and gives 'a percentage' to charity.... I filled my car at the end of the day and dropped everything off at Scott Mission - and the reception I got there was fantastic - they were so happy to get the stuff, they even helped unload the car..... (Scott Mission is one of my favorite charities - they do so much for people - they have a food bank, a furniture bank, a free clothing bank, and they give out free hot lunches every day and they NEVER ask you what your financial status is - they treat everyone with dignity and respect....) I met some of the founders and organizers of this Free Market - I was TOTALLY impressed, stood there for a while and chatted and had a marvelous conversation - they should all be commended for the hard work they put into organizing these monthly events.... at the end of the day, they were exhausted, but they still had a big smile on their face.... kudos to them all! WE need to get involved - WE need to join in and participate and WE need to support this idea.... what a fantastic way to share all those items that you've offered on Freecycle that nobody emailed about, and what a great way to wander around and find items that you need, and what an even BETTER way to meet new friends who have the same goal - get stuff away from the landfill. First Saturday of every month - next month is their first anniversary - let's turn it into a big event - have a picnic, have a party and SHARE....... Isn't that what we are all about?

They said it would rain, but it only rained FREE stuff!

Photographs courtesy of Sandeep Chopade

Did you find a treasure at the market? Bump into a long-lost friend? Send us your story...

MY FIRST MARKET! (A story from a market goer.)

First-time market attendee Shawna writes:

On Saturday May 4th, I attended the Really Really Free Market for the very first time. It was already shaping up to be a beautiful warm spring day when I arrived at 10:30am. Although the crowd was initially sparse, there were already people dropping in to leave their contributions and to browse at what was available.

It was an incredibly friendly and welcoming environment. Upon my arrival, the smiling faces of the volunteers greeted me and gave me an overview of what was up. They told me to set my belongings out on the organized tables or clothing racks, and to take whatever I fancied.

I had only found out about the Really Really Free Market a few days previously, but when I did I decided right away that I'd check it out. I loved the concept, it seemed so brilliant to me. I made some bracelets and found some clothing articles I didn't need, and packed them into a bag. I was surprised at how quickly people took them. It's great to know something you made yourself will be put to use and enjoyed.

I ended up staying at the market until 1pm, offering help to the volunteers when needed. I'm so glad that I stumbled upon this excellent event. Not only did I find some great things, but I met some lovely people and signed up to volunteer in the future.

If you have the chance to attend the next market on June 1st, I would highly recommend it. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Don't forget to send us your Really Really Free Market @ Campbell Park story!
Photographs courtesy of Sandeep Chopade

Celebrating spring with an outdoor market!

We're you at our market May 4th? Send us your stories!
rrfmarket@gmail.com

April 6th was our largest market to date

Close to four hundred people attended the market. Was it a celebration of spring, or of the wonderful idea of a no-money no-trade no-barter market, or the fact that it was our 10th consecutive monthly market at Campbell Park? Probably all!

Here is what market attender D. Liuzzi wrote to us following the market:

It is because [Really Really Free Market] patiently answered all my questions in email that I checked it out and was not afraid to try and it exceeded my expectation. It felt great to be pleasently surprised and on the same page as we shared our similar experiences with...used stuff. My husband tells me the Portuguese have a word, "Furtura", it means more than enough, a situation of plenty. We are so lucky here in Canada.

 

Once when I was re-entering the RRFM their was a tiny line up/crowd at the door to get in as people talked and checked in, a woman behind me apprehensively asked, "Do you have to pay to get in?" I turned and smiled at her and happily said, "No." She looked a little confused. I could see she was trying to wrap her brain around the idea....no one wants anything except co-operation, no one wants MONEY.

Photographs courtesy of Sandeep Chopade

Do you have any stories from the March Market? Here's our picture-story...

A NOTE FROM ONE OF OUR REALLY REALLY FREE MARKET REGULARS

Really really free market is a great way of donating and getting stuff one needs. We have been at the market since summer and enjoyed this wonderful initiative. The skirt from the picture attached was from the February market. We used it for a costume for a charity show that will take place this coming week-end. Thank you to all the volunteers and market participants for making this happen. Lori and Rosi

 

Do you have impressions, stories, lucky finds to share with us? We'd love to hear!