There are two big highlights for the Viennese second-hand dealers; Ascension and Christmas. Traditional and unmissable events for China lovers of all kinds. “Previously we unpacked on the third Sunday in December, this year it will be the fourthnotes Walter Rumsey, president of the Vienna Second-hand Dealers Association. All businesses will be open and we will join in with events already scheduled. »
“We are going to provide a differentiated offer”
In fact, the activities organized by the City and Poitiers Le Center will punctuate the weekend before Christmas. The approximately thirty second-hand dealers will therefore deploy in front of the Notre-Dame-la-Grande church, the entrance of which is neutralized during the work period, on the side of the church (along the low wall of the halls) and a few some will have to share the space with a laser game on the floor.
“We are complete even though last year there were 42 of us. We had a hope that the fences for the work would be installed after the 1is January but we will try to occupy all possible spaces as much as possible. »
If second-hand dealers are a little less numerous this year, it is for two distinct reasons ; the postponed date this year and the vocation crisis. “Some actually committed elsewhere thinking that the date would not change. But we are going to have new faces, new blood. We will provide a differentiated offer, and then the old guard will still be there! For the second part, we note that between 2000 and 2010, there were 20,000 second-hand dealers in France. From 2010 to 2020, we only recorded 10,000. We feel that the profession is practiced less and less in a non-sedentary way. »
The perception of the profession has changed
A 50% decline that Walter Rumsey analyzes: “On the one hand, the Internet, auction sites and garage sales have something to do with it, on the other hand, when a family has to empty a house, they no longer call the second-hand dealer unless there is needs expertise. The family will then turn to an antique dealer who must guarantee the authenticity of the objects; which is not done by a second-hand dealer who does not always know the value of the object he is reselling. »
He also takes the example of the Friday flea market at Notre-Dame which brings together at most seven second-hand dealers whereas there were regularly twelve a few years ago. The clientele is also less frequent every week according to him and he also notes that the perception of the profession has changed.
However, the Ascension 2024 flea market had broken attendance and sales records. “We always keep beautiful pieces for these big meetings. And there are some young elements, the next generation in a way, who are passionate about the subject. Some people are looking for the best of the best. »
Great Christmas flea market, Sunday December 22, 2024, from 6 a.m. (unpacking time) to 6 p.m.
