Flea Market: 10 Products You Can't Sell at a Yard Sale

Ecological, economical… Second-hand goods have it all, and are becoming increasingly popular. In 2024, according to Origami Marketplace , sales will reach 7 billion euros . On Sunday mornings, against all odds and Morpheus, the streets are filled with crowds of all generations, on the lookout for bargains. Eyes wander over grandmother's ceramic cups, children's hands covet colorful stuffed animals that have survived the decades, and feet roam the vastness of the stands in search of vintage vinyl records featuring songs that rocked a now distant adolescence. You're used to garage sales ... But on the other hand, that of sales! A good idea to make ends meet. Be careful though, although you can find anything and everything on the stands (what do you mean, you really have a Lilo and Stitch minitel?), some items are impossible to sell.

Products that cannot be sold at garage sales

Because yes, the flea market is not a lawless zone . That little corner of the sidewalk that you occupy for a few hours, between two crates of yellowed books and a lava lamp from the 80s, also obeys strict rules. Just because an object has been gathering dust for 20 years in your attic doesn't mean it can pass through everyone's hands. For example, there's no question of selling your old medications or that white spirit that's been sleeping in the garage. The same goes for DVDs burned "in the ADSL era", or even that small metal replica gun, which seems harmless to you. Second-hand goods are all the rage, but they don't exempt you from responsibility. Before you get out the checkered tablecloth and label your prices with masking tape, a quick overview of the prohibitions can save you a lot of trouble... and a few cold sweats if the police happen to wander between the stalls.

Risk of fine for illegal sale at a flea market

And if you think a small oversight will go unnoticed, think again. Selling a prohibited item doesn't just risk a simple warning. Depending on the nature of the offense, the penalties can be severe: up to €300,000 in fines and three years in prison for selling counterfeits, for example. The illegal resale of medications or dangerous products can also lead to criminal prosecution. Even a bottle of alcohol that's too strong, sold without a license, can result in a €7,500 fine. Law enforcement sometimes conducts checks, and in these cases, the "I didn't know" argument won't suffice. So it's better to sort wisely... and sell with peace of mind.