My track record with DC Big Flea hasn't been one full of joyful memories. Instead, it's typically been one of disappointment, especially considering the price tag of $10.00 to get in. On the surface, that may not seem like a lot, but when you walk away with nothing most of the time, it's kind of ten dollars wasted. As such, my girl was a little surprised when I said I would go with her.
Pulling up, nothing has changed since my last visit. It's still a tenner each to get in, and there's still the usual fare of vendors which features an eclectic mix of stuff. With that said, things, for the most part, were not priced to sell. It's pretty bad when other vendors are making comments about how, "People selling today need a reality check on their pricing."
As for my purpose, I was on the hunt for some specific items, which I was hoping I would find here, but that would also be reasonable in price. Of course, I was also curious to see what type of nostalgic tidbits were out and about the various tables. This is what I mainly focused my photos on.
When I see bins full of CD's, you know I'm going to stop and take a look. This wasn't what I was here for, and nothing jumped out at me that I necessarily wanted or needed.
The usual guy was there. The one with the cool vintage toys that are all priced five times higher than anyone would ever pay. I mean, come on. When you have a Marvel Legend Retro Hulk, and you're asking $40.00 for it? Get serious. Most people have these priced at $10.00, and they still don't move.
Here's another look at those CD bins I dug through. Like I said, there was nothing in there I needed.
Don't forget to stop by the "Elderly Lost and Found" on the way out. These were literally just a bunch of chairs by the main entrance where...well...the elderly were waiting to be retrieved by their families.
When I finally came across the few vendors selling what I wanted, I dug in. I was on the hunt for vinyl for potential framing, and also wanted to experience some good old fashioned thrill of the hunt.
That's when I came across a Fleetwood Mac Rumors priced at a mere $50.00, which I literally busted out laughing and said, "$50.00?!?!" I got a nasty look from the seller as I locked eyes with him while continuing to laugh before taking the photo, tossing it back in the bin, and walking off. This wasn't an album I was interested in, but it immediately took me back to what the other vendors were saying. Reality check needed indeed. That's a twenty to twenty-five dollar vinyl on a good day.
Look, I get it. You want to sell at a premium collector's price. However, for that, you need to have a premium collector's condition item. Not some browning, 100X listened to, beater copy. Further, you need to be in the right setting for that. People come to flea markets to make deals. They're glorified garage sales. If people wanted to pay ebay prices, they'd go on ebay.
I found another table of vinyl across the hall, and immediately saw some things that intrigued me. However, once again, those prices. I shook my head as I cross referenced everything on Discogs, and then finally said to the kid at the booth, "Look, I'm interested in these, but you've got them priced twice more than what they're worth. I'll give you a hundred bucks." He told me it was his grandma's table, and that he'd have to ask her, but that she was walking around. Ultimately, I left them with him, and said I'd circle back around in a bit while he asked her.

When I returned, the kid was gone, but grandma was there. This is when the hard bargaining began. She was looking over them when I got to the table, and I said, "Hi, I'm the guy that offered you $100.00 for these." She promptly responded, "Yeah, I can't go that low."
She then held up the Guns N' Roses album and said, "This is a first pressing," to which I immediately interjected, "No it's not. The first pressing has a completely different cover that was recalled." She countered, "Yeah, but you won't find that version for less then a couple hundred dollars," to which I replied, "$90.00, actually."
She made a face of clear unamusement with me, but she did return to going through the records again before asking me, "Is there anything else you were still on the fence about?" To which I knew there was, and handed to her from her bin.
We ultimately came to an agreement, but I think it was more so on her part to get rid of me. She wanted to make money, and between annoyance and realizing she didn't have a sucker on her hands, would have to really get it together on her pricing if she was going to sell.
I guess I will be going for that second row on the wall after all. Ugh...now I need to buy more frames! I kid though. I'm happy to have these in my collection. While I would have preferred a first pressing of Appetite For Destruction, I suppose at the end of the day this one is still an iconic cover.

I did see a few other records at another table that I was interested in, but ultimately didn't bother with even asking. The pricing...oh that high, high pricing. I just didn't have it in me to get into it once again with another seller.
I also got a few extra things for the room.
Can you spot the new items?I picked up these signs to place along the top of the blinds for the purposes of helping to block the incessant sunlight from the top windows which smashes you in the face when it comes through during the day. It's blindingly awful! Hopefully these help. I suppose, if nothing else, they look good.I picked these up from a seller on ebay who has a ton of classic designs. He sells each one for an incredibly reasonable price, around $25.00 each, and I'm sure if you check out his shop (not an endorsed shoutout), you'll find something to grab for yourself.
Since initially writing this, I also made a few more changes to the wall. First and foremost, I decided to take the Karate Kid albums out from underneath the Star Wars ones, and instead put Superman and Superman II.
I then hung the art pieces of Freddie Mercury, Michael Jackson, and Madonna that my girl got me when at a local art show. There is also a Prince one that the guy makes, which is in the works, thus the screw already in place for it under Madonna.
But, the coup de grâce is the second, and final row, of vinyls.The Karate Kid albums are only placeholders until I get the final two vinyls I'm wanting. Those would be Alice Cooper's Trash, and Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814. Once I hunt those down, Karate Kid will go back to the record cabinet.Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.