- How are you going to earn a living?
- I'll be driving cars from Germany...
A conversation like this could be heard about eight years ago. Young people who did not want to 'bite the granite of science' any further saw their future in just such an occupation. Also especially popular was (and still is) the profession of 'shuttle trader'. These workers of the bag and the market began to supply us intensively with Chinese and Turkish mass consumer goods. But at one fine time, saturation with such things set in. We got tired of buying 'disposable' T-shirts and jeans that faded after washing. We wanted high-quality 'branded' goods, but at the previous low prices. And that's when 'new caliber' shuttle traders entered the arena.
District 'Cleaners'
Yes, sometimes they perform exactly that function. In every house in prosperous areas of countries with a high standard of living, a certain amount of unnecessary things accumulates sooner or later. Either they became too big, or too small, or simply got boring. And it is customary to get rid of things, that is, simply put, throw them away. But removing 'trash' from the area costs money – what a nuisance for frugal foreigners!
They were helped by resourceful entrepreneurs of Slavic origin, who quickly realized that a purchased (or simply collected) second-hand could be sold at home at a higher price. And they took the transportation costs upon themselves. In turn, the sanitary and epidemiological stations do not sleep – customs will not let untreated goods into the country. First, it is subjected to high temperature and a special preparation that kills spores of any bacteria and viruses. And only then, compressed and loaded into containers, the things go on a journey.
Give me, O God, what is not fitting for a German
However, why not fitting? Second-hand shops exist in many, even the most developed countries of the world. Despite material wealth, residents of Germany, for example, do not disdain to visit all kinds of flea markets in crowds. And their famous car junkyards? The first one once appeared in Essen, and almost immediately became a local landmark. And since the mid-80s, such 'Schrotts', as they were called, began to spread almost throughout the country.
Used car depots could be found near almost all more or less large cities in Germany. Many of our tourists came here with the sole purpose – to pick up spare parts for their car at a reasonable price. And the prices were indeed very reasonable, and the assortment was pleasing. And what cars were bought there! What Germans consider a used car, we buy with great pleasure. No wonder, because many companies have a flexible discount system for buyers.
I was very surprised when my acquaintances living in Dresden came in a brand new Audi every three years. As it turned out, exactly every three years they have the right, after a small additional payment, to exchange the car for a new model of the same company. How do you like 'used' cars? Even on the streets of Berlin you can see advertisements for the sale of an 'old' car (only five years old) at a very low price.
Jeans in which all America grew up
A quite plausible statement. After all, Americans are a very frugal nation. They will never pay $10 if they can get by with $9.99. It is they who closely follow newspaper advertisements about sales and cut out discount coupons from newspapers.
But especially popular are the so-called 'garage sales' – 'garage sales'. Enterprising owners prefer to resell boring things. As a rule, neighbors buy. But any passerby can freely enter and buy any item they like – from a set of tools to clothing.
Americans dress very simply, and they see nothing wrong with wearing used clothes. And there is nothing to say about young people. It is no wonder that children of wealthy parents work as babysitters and wash dishes in cafes. In short, thrift is highly valued, and a student dressed to the nines in designer clothes will only cause bewilderment. And regarding the stereotype – 'second-hand is clothing for the poor'... They say that Naomi Campbell herself is a regular at Parisian flea markets. And she always buys something.
Eternal life of stylish English things
So abroad, many people buy second-hand items. And some prefer to shop exclusively at flea markets. Because it is here that you can dig up such treasures!
Once in London, upon learning that we were looking for a flea market, an elderly wealthy lady literally dragged my friend and me to her place. With a mysterious look, she led us into a large room. Stepping over its threshold, we gasped and froze in admiration. Before our eyes was a collection of luxurious evening dresses. Delighted by our enthusiasm, the lady informed us that she had found all the exhibits of her collection precisely at London flea markets, among ordinary T-shirts and trousers. Moreover, with particular pride she boasted that she had paid a ridiculous amount for the purchases, and even haggled. So much for 'clothing for the poor'!
After such a story, we rushed hot on the trail to find 'their' second-hand clothing markets. And one day, while strolling through Paradise (don't be scared, Paradise is a small English town), I did stumble upon a local flea market. Wow! The lady was right – real 'gems' were indeed to be found here. Moreover, I can confidently say that such sales are a real find for people who want to look original and stand out from the crowd of identically dressed compatriots. And remembering the prices of our capital's trendy boutiques for almost similar goods, I was already mentally counting the dozens of pounds saved.
Indeed, why pay more?..