electronics swap meet

[Ed Paradis]

Hi folks,

I went to the Mike and Key amateur radio swap meet yesterday in Puyallup and it reminded me of the excellent monthly swap meet in Dallas called First Saturday.
(http://sidewalksale.com/)

Its an amazing mix of computers, electronics, surplus, new, used, and everything else that happens early in the morning on the first Saturday of every month.

An organizationally similar event already exists in the Fremont Sunday Market.
(http://www.fremontmarket.com/)  A noted difference is that they require business licenses after two vendor uses.

So to start a little brainstorming, I'll pose some questions:

1. Many of the vendors in Dallas seem to be associated with "computer recycling" businesses. Does anyone know if the computer recyclers in the area would even be allowed to sell items back to the public like this?

2. Are there other regular street markets or swap meets in some relatively central part of the City?  I assume there are flea markets out in the sticks some place, but key to First Saturday's success was that it was located a block or two away from the center of downtown.

3. I've heard of many small hobby electronics companies in the area that sell things like Arduino shields and other neat stuff.   I think they'd be a good group of vendors to encourage as well.  Would a once-monthly mix of the sorts of vendors that are at the Seattle Mini Maker Faire be enticing to any of you?  Of if you're such a vendor, would a once-monthly booth event interest you?

Food for thought! 

Ed

[Pat Tressel]

Ed --

1. Many of the vendors in Dallas seem to be associated with "computer recycling" businesses. Does anyone know if the computer recyclers in the area would even be allowed to sell items back to the public like this

They definitely do.  RE-PC (http://www.repc.com/) is just down 6th Ave S a ways from Jigsaw.  And there's PC Recycle (http://pcrecycle.net/).  And, of course Free Geek (http://www.freegeekseattle.org/).  Once Upon a Time, Vetco (http://www.vetco.net/) carried surplus gear, and they still have a tiny bit, but are mostly new hobbyist electronics parts and equipment now.

Lists:
http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/takeitback/electronics/

-- Pat

[Michael]

Also:

3R (close to REPC but with better selection/prices):

http://www.3rtechnology.com/

Interconnection (U-district, highly variable selection/pricing)

http://interconnection.org/

AER (50sqft warehouse in Renton, absolutely best selection/pricing but no customer service, you better know what you're looking for!) No website, but here's the address:

18435 Olympic Ave S Seattle, WA 98188

(Also no sign, look for the address and go into the unmarked door to the left of the loading docks).

---

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