Ashland Swap-O-Rama

As with all swap n shops just depends what day your there as different vendors are there are days so you never know what’s going to be there however there’s always something good to know come check out.

There’s several vendors selling porn I have a teenager and younger kid. Kids are kid would not like for them to walk up to stand where there selling this stuff. I don’t agree with that I know there trying to make a living they should put up curtain. Plus there’s kids family and who knows what sick people are buying this movies

Interesting place — yes our Mayor visits from time to time. I was impressed with the fruits, flowers and herbs they sell, interesting array of medicinal herbs available. This is like Craigslist come to life. If you know the value of goods and services and you know what you want, it may be worth your while. Gets crowded after 10 am, so plan to visit early.

I am giving 4 stars because I had some positive experiences at the swapa-​rama.
A few months ago, I had an opportunity to buy a humongous Remote Control Helicoptor along with a midget one for a price of only $ 150.00. Awesome deal. Now the vendor who had been selling this item had a store going out of business in the city. He wasnt able to sell all of his inventory at his location but he had to quickly pay the rent of his store. So he came to the flea market, the vendor sold all of his items. In spite of the fact, people dont carry huge sums of money with them at a flea market due to possible theft. Buyers would get contact information from the vendor and make a time frame for a future transaction. This RC Helicoptor has an easy value of $ 400 to $ 500. I saved $ 300 to $ 400.
Today, I had ventured to swapa-​rama on a mission to find effective bug spray, paint, and some hardware tools. Now I am going to be 100% honest. 98% of the people in this swapa-​rama are mexicans. Basically, you save alot of money in airfare to a foriegn country even though it may be cheap. Yes. You landed yourself in Mexico as you set foot into this location. Who cares if you can speak spanish or not because green money is everyones language in this little market place. They are not using pesos.
I can tell you I ran across three to five non-​mexican vendors at this swapa-​rama, so diversity prevails here as well. Why do you think I had written 98% and not the other 2%? Today I had an Italian-​American guy sell me some roach gel chemical that has 11 ingrediants to kill those bugs for a year. And I bought a T-​Shirt from some Indian Hindu guy on the front of the swapa-​rama building. I spent a total of $ 40.00.
An arabic guy runs the computer-​security-​fix it shop in the back. Not far from mexican cheesemakers, you will see African american vendors. The vendor who sold me the RC Helicoptor was a Uzbeki. Those are the 2% ers. There is an American guy by the spanish magazine section next to the jewlry items who sells collectible coins and stamps. He has some bargains if you are a coin/​stamp collector .
Anyways, vendors come and go. I had also looked for appliances. Since I manage properties, I had been looking for a bargain air condition. Having some mexican tenants, tenants sometimes would sell their stove for a cheaper one so they could pay difference in rent. Why do you think I now go to swapa rama for the appliances? I buy the same item for a cheap price and not lose a dime from them ripping me off from buying a newer item from a place like ABT appliances/​electronics.
Anyhow, I didnt need to buy a stove. I found out you could get a stove here for $ 125.00 instead of $ 450.00.
Swapa-​rama can be LIKE A GIANT CRAIGLIST UNDER THE FREE SECTION OR SELL MY JUNK SECTION. Instead of driving to a location from craiglist, you have all of the inventory layed out for you.
Today, I saw some people selling those large power generators used to power a home in case of an energy loss. The vendor requested a price of $ 2100.00 for one large generator. Who would want to pay for this amount of money if you dont have manufactures warranty? Lol. Haha. If you can fix it; you can haggle him the price for a lower amount.
I also saw refrigerators, lawn mowers, air conditions, stoves, snow blowers, jack hammers, and cement cutters. They had alot of expensive used hardware tools.
And of course, you will discover mexican fashion and cuisine. I feel the biggest con would be keeping the produce in a not controlled environment because you have so many flies around the sweet fruit items. They need large freezers.
Sometimes I think the produce can attract a rodent population if not in control.
I also saw the famous bicycle yard. And I didnt see any expensive bikes but older 10 speed models from 15 years ago. There was alot of kids bikes…
A few years ago, I heard some people were busted at this swapa rama for pirated software. Now we dont have to worry about pirated software because of open source code software availabilty for free on the net. Lol. Haha.
In the back, I saw something of interest. They had cute ponies in the back parking lot area. The little horses were cute and precious. It made my day at this swapa-​rama seeing them. The mexican people were charging parents for their children to get a ride on the little ponies… I wish I was a kid… I am not going to fit riding those little ponies. Lol. Ha.
Anyways, I didnt get a chance to try some of the cuisine in this market but next time.
Oh if you are worried about someone robbing your car as you leave to the market place, put alot of unappealing junk around your dashboard. The theives will mistakenly think you are one of the vendors or some hoarder to buy more junk at swapa-​rama. They will leave your car alone.

Was your bike stolen? Yes? Then there’s a good chance it’s down at the Swap-​O-​Rama.
Open Thursday till 4pm, Sat & Sun until 5pm. All the bikes are outside, no need to go inside. Dont forget that there are bike vendors on the side as well as the back of the building.
I see the previous reviewer Daniel E said «do not come here of your not gonna buy if you looking for your stolen bike that should tell you your stupid for loosing it in the first place» Daniel E, go fuck yourself.
There are lots of honest vendors here as well as some good deals to be found.
Sadly the amount of stolen cyclist stuff eclipses any positive aspects of this flea market.
*DO NOT confront the vendor with your stolen property, call the police*

if your not mexican and cannot speak a lick of spanish do not come here this place is for people who know what to look for and what to expect do not come here of your not gonna buy if you looking for your stolen bike that should tell you your stupid for loosing it in the first place people. here are awesome and friendly and everybody haggles if you give them respect dont ask for a price then insult the product and ask for it to be lower come here for a great shopping experience and to see how much fun it is to haggle

My bike was stolen last Friday in River North, and thanks to a tip online I went here the next day and found my bike! Had to call the police and get the manager involved to get by bike which only took an hour.
Super shady place, and really depressing seeing all the other new bikes and goods that are most likely stolen.
So like what the Unilocaler below recommends, come here if your bike is stolen!

Den of thieves. Lots of shady looking vendors and customers. No wonder my ex was ashamed to have been a vendor here. Here you can find some assorted junk. Fake purses and name brand clothes. CD player head units– complete with cut cables. I saw various car mirrors with cables sticking out… Car hubcaps. There are lots of Buick Rendezvous with back window side panels missing– they rip them off and they end up here. Some legit looking name brand stuff like sealed boxes of soap (probably stolen from work). Tools (probably stolen). Fishing boxes– used with bait still in there (sold by a black lady that looked like a crackhead). Fruit– sold by a fat Mexican guy with a mullet cussing out some customers. Old Arab guy selling dollar store merchandise for a lot more than a dollar. Bikes. Lots of them. Vendors selling them for $ 50 – 300. Of course also stolen. There is a huge parking lot but forget about finding parking here. If you do manage to find parking you will probably get something in your car stolen. Maybe the whole car.

STOLEN goods haven. We recovered a bike here. Look for your stolen bike on a weekday, being evidence it’s yours, call the cops at 911 and take it back.

This place is what Craigslist would look like in real life.

FUN! Love this place… you never know what kind of random stuff you might find here! I love coming on a saturday and just walking around and wandering through the junk! Parking is kind of a nightmare… but it is worth the drama. You should try and make it to the back where the live animals are!

I just went to the one in Alsip and this one is way better. Um, did I mention I saw Mayor Rahm Emmanuel there last week!
I’ve been coming here for years and I’ve found some really awesome things, particularly gallons of paint for $ 5. Sorry if this place is not for YOU, stick to regular stores, but this flea market is why I love Chicago and I hope it never goes away.

The best dealsn the city, just get there early for parking. but you can always fine stuff u need and don’t.

Found my stolen bike here today. The lock was still on it and I had the key. They ripped it off monday and I found it on thursday… lucky!
Search for your bike here!

It is what it is.
I have been here many times more for the experience than the shopping. There is plenty of vendors from socks to tools. Some of them sell good stuff but others well, not so much.
First few times I was here I was expecting to see Rick Bayless on a food stand preparing food for Calvin Klein and Armani who happen to have clothing stands close by. Hahahaha no people do not expect more than what it is.
It is a cool place if you are not easily intimidated (not that you will get attacked or anything) Mostly Latino and a few Polish walking around trying to score a deal on clothing, or small appliances, or whatever.
ASOR go for the experience, skip the food

Come here to find your stolen bike — this is the largest of the Swap-​O– Ramas, and there’s a good chance your bike will be here. Vendors move their goods among all three, so check this place out first. Once you identify your bike, make sure you call 911 and have an officer with you before approaching the vendor. Also have your police report and receipt with the serial number on it to prove that it’s yours. These sleazebags need to be stopped, and this dump needs to be shutdown.

LISTEN.
Before you even think about visiting this flea market, you need to be prepared:
–bring some patience and eyeglasses to find a parking space
–bring small bills to make haggling easier
–wear cheap dumpy clothing, again to make haggling easier (& to blend in)
–bring gloves and sanitizer to keep yourself clean
–bring some basic spanish skills to talk to vendors (& possibly get a cross-​cultural effort discount? happened to me…)
–bring a sturdy shopping bag, because they *will* give you a ripped up Osco bag (and when was the last time you saw an Osco?)
Now that you’re prepared, you can visit this aight flea market. This is capitalism’s cold rock bottom. Anything can be found here, but the key is to dig. This flea market definitely reflects the Mexican community within which it is embedded, so here is where you can easily pick up fresh veggies, cheese, dry foods and candy, religious icons, cheap glittery clothes, baby things galore and cowboy stuff, all for reasonable prices. Check the outdoor vendors first, they have the best deals and are more motivated to sell (read: haggle). Here is one of the few blessed places in Chicago where you’re almost expected to haggle.
Also, vendors will often leave behind whatever they don’t sell, and it is up for grabs. I’ve found beautiful vintage glasses in great condition and antique suitcases (with working key!) abandoned in this fashion. Don’t be scurred, we’re all scroungers here.
It gets three stars because it’s scuzzy, but it’s serviceable. And also because it costs $ 2 for the privilege to explore the esteemed establishment.
Enjoy! (& get you an elote afterwards from the food vendor just outside the exit, she’s great: oD)

I thought this place was friggin awesome! I’m pretty surprised by the negative reviews. It was a totally positive experience for me! Cute, ethnic beaded sandals for $ 15 (which I passed on but am now regretting). A 2-​pack of camouflage tank tops for $ 2 (I bought a bunch of them as gifts for members of our morning YMCA boot camp class). Very cool Lady Gaga-​esque Virgin Mary-​meets-​Death statue for $ 25 which I really, really wanted but found out that Santa Muerte or «St. Death» is used in satanic rituals and that scared me a little bit! Plus, the 8 year old kid trying to encourage me to buy it was way to excited about the satanic connection. His dad was a little creepy too. Siiiigh, so I passed. It would have made a really cool decorative piece in my living room, though. However, I didn’t want to encourage demons to enter my house a la Paranormal Activity! So, I stuck with the fun stuff: a kitchy Jesus bracelet (to reverse some of that Santa Muerte vibe), cheap sunglasses, and a cute little parasol ($ 4) to protect myself from the sun since it was so friggin hot that day. The cute little Asian lady in the middle of the market has the cool parasols and cheap tank tops. She has a whole bunch of cheap mass produced stuff. Socks, underwear, undershirts… you name it, she has it. It feels like being in a foreign country. It’s a totally unique experience –kinda like an outdoor thrift shop of sorts. I totally want to go back and get me those sandals. I want that statue too but I need someone to come with me to bless it or something! We need to adopt that little kid, too! LOL

Showed up early to hopefully grab some good deals before everyone else. I witnessed this management staff yelling at this vendor to move her store or he will «remove her forcefully». You don’t really even get a good deal. I also swear to everything that I love, 2 bums who were supposedly vendors took a box of crap and threw it on the floor to hopefully sell. The box consisted of:
Barbies with the head ripped off
a rusty hammer
Some bolts
A Christmas book
and a purse with the handle broken (probably snatched)
Seriously? Are these guys seriously letting these fools sell things like that? The only reason why I would want to go back is to find my stolen bike. So if you want to buy a pair of spandex that have the look like they are jeans then by all means, come on down to this flea market. (notice sarcasm here)

To all you people who are complaining about the food you got at the swap meet: Its a f*cking swap meet, not a restaurant! You are stupid if you go there for polish sausage or cheese fries.
This swap meet rules if you want to find cheap tools, toys, or knockoff clothes. They sell all sorts of junk that you may or may not need. Sure, most of it is probably stolen but who cares? If that bothered you, you would be at Target. Go there, have fun, negotiate with them and get soome cool stuff. If you speak spanish, you will get better deals because they wont think you are so stupid.