A whole different game of Best Buys

Many years ago when we were writing our book "Handbook for Survival in Finland", the Flea Market syndrome was just catching on. Now-a-days there is a regular TV programme which features well-known personalities who sell their stuff in them.

There are three or four different factors about the "Flea Markets" which merit attention.

In a series of short entries in this Best Buy Blog I intend to show the difference between the different types of Flea Markets that operate in Oulu. I also have pictures and location maps, so that you can find them easily.



This picture, which drew a smile on our faces, shows that the custom may have been absorbed into Finnish culture, that even the name has been "Finlandised"!

The first set of Flea Markets are those operated by Charitable Organisations and the Churches. There are 3 main ones in Oulu - the one operated by the Pentecostal Church, by the Finnish Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

You can donate any of stuff you do not want, and these organisations will recycle them as appropriate for Charitable purposes.

In Oulu, the Flea Market which has the very best prices, but not a wide variety of products is the one associated with the Pentecostal Church on Uusikatu.

Pentecostal Church Flea Market location


Annikki emerges with her goodies
from the Pentecostal Church run Flea Market

This is Annikki's favourite as she can even bargain the prices with the ladies who work there. There are all very nice and polite and very helpful. They have mostly clothes, shoes, skies, skates, curtains and other small items, although occasionally one sees some furniture at very attractive prices. Great finds here by Annikki have been many - and mostly at Euro 1 to 2!


Location of Red Cross Kontti Flea Market



The Red Cross has its Flea Market in the centre of town and is known as Kontti.


Location of Salvation Army Tuira Flea Market


Salvation Army Flea Market in Tuira


Location of Salvation Army Heinäpää Flea Market


Salvation Army Flea Market in Heinäpää

Visit all these three Flea Markets if you are serious of finding something that you want. They handle different things and you will be well rewarded by many Best Buys.

The next group of Flea Markets that I want to handle are Recycling Centres, which are like the above three, but not with charity but environmental concerns as the primary objective.