I've been coming to Cole's Flea Market since 1979, and needless to say, it has gotten worse for both the sellers and buyers every time it is sold and changes hands. Many sellers are barely making ends meet and a lot of honest regular sellers are leaving or moving to other flea markets, Antique shops, trade shows farther away like San Antonio, East Texas and the Rio Grande Valley where the Flea Markets are "no kidding" about 4 to 5 times bigger than Cole's and "Do Not" charge for parking. The new owners do not care that some people travel long distances to see these flea markets and would rather spend that total of $18 for 2 day fee inc. VIP parking for extra gas, food, or hotel stay. It is so bad now that some of the good sellers are also moving to sell their stuff at gun shows or are selling their stuff on eBay. ISome regular sellers are saying that they are also being forced to pay the current $4 charge to come in even though they already pay too much in advance for their table or spot and they keep raising the price on the "same" spot after they leave. I also saw and heard some staff enforcing stiff unreasonable rules to the sellers and buyers outside such as what they can or cannot sell or telling them to stop bringing their own food & alcohol drinks for their own personal consumption and want them to leave their table to go inside their establishment to purchase their food and drinks leaving them wide open for theft while they are gone. Sellers are saying the staff makes assumptions and accusations without proof and is harassing the good sellers outside. Some sellers also say that the sellers who rent an enclosed area with a metal roof are responsible, for example, roof leaks or other types of repairs. Cole's told them it is "not" Cole's responsibility if the roof leaks and damages the sellers belongings. The sellers are guessing that Cole's may or may not have insurance to file a claim, but if they do, then they should own up to the repairs. They asked how does that work if there is wind damage from a bad hail storm, straight line wind damage, hurricane, fire, or 3ft. flood such as occurred during Harvey? These are the main reasons "businesses" purchase insurance using a portion of the fees they charge tenants. In addition, another seller said the staff don't want them playing music outside towards the back of the flea market anymore, yet their vendors closer to the main building can play music as loud as they want to try and draw more people to their side or business. During "rainy" days they also do not allow you to drive your vehicle inside the VIP parking area "to pick up a handicap person" without paying their $5 "extra" fee for parking even if you don't plan on parking, but just picking up a handicap person. Yes, so they are forcing a "total" of $9 parking fee just to have "quick access" by being closer to the main building. As a buyer I have spent thousands of dollars over the last 45 years building a good relationship with the sellers but it is now becoming less appealing and less economical for me to come purchase things here including the over rated and over priced food and drinks since the higher rent cost to sellers is translating or being passed on as a higher cost or charge to the buyers. I'm actually now finding better deals on tools, jewelry, hunting stuff, furniture, clothes and other items as a buyer by going to, Pawn Shops, Resale Shops, Trade Shows, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Antique Shops and "other" Flea Markets in the area along with some Estate Sales and Garage Sales. It is sad to say, but after so many years, this place has outlived its usefulness to me. I would also much rather deal with these sellers outside of this flea market in some of their other locations or businesses they might own or have like, auto repair shops & storage units that offer open selling of their items, or going to "other" flea markets or gun shows they might go to. I really wish Cole's could turn things around by changing a few things that do not seem to be working in favor of the sellers or...
Read moreUnfortunately, my experience was extremely distressing due to repeated harassment by the security staff.
From the moment I arrived, I was constantly approached by different security guards, each demanding to see my ESA documentation. Even after I presented the appropriate paperwork, I was continuously asked to show it again, as if the documentation I provided wasn’t enough. This unnecessary scrutiny made what should have been a pleasant outing extremely stressful and uncomfortable.
As someone with Emotional Support Animals, I understand that rules need to be followed, and I always carry proper documentation to ensure compliance. However, the treatment I received was far beyond what was reasonable. It felt like I was being unfairly targeted and treated with suspicion for simply having ESAs.
To make matters worse, the security personnel were unprofessional and disrespectful in their approach, creating an unwelcoming atmosphere. This experience has left me feeling disheartened and reluctant to return to this flea market. Additionally, I am concerned about how my sensitive information was handled.
Under HIPAA regulations, healthcare providers are required to protect my personal health information. While I understand that the flea market is not subject to HIPAA, my documentation contains sensitive details that should have been treated with respect and privacy. Security even asked to take a picture of sensitive documentation to send around to stop the harassment but 1. Was never done as I was still harassed afterwards and 2. Is protected under law. Asking for more information than what is necessary, and repeatedly doing so, raises significant concerns about how my information is being handled.
I hope that management will take steps to better educate their staff on how to handle situations involving ESAs with more respect and understanding. Harassment and repeated demands for documentation after it has already been provided are...
Read moreAt first this flea market was a good place to come sell items and have a good time.The prices were reasonable and affordable.The prices used to be 15 for a table.Now vendors have to pay 28 for the table and 2 dollars for entrance fee.This is not including the fee's you have to pay when you leave your stuff on saturday or friday.The problem with these prices is that we have to provide everything for ourselves and still have to pay all that. There is so much sun and we have to provide our own carp and our own water and over time more and more people are coming and the spaces are gettingng smaller and smaller so everyone is getting squished together and it benifits the office because they get more money.The porta pottys that they provided almost never have toilet paper because someone took it and are always smelly and very unsanitary and dirty.We have to walk all the way inside if we want to use the restroom.Also, we are not allowed to sell anything we want because there was this lady that said one of the ladys that charge for the tables came and picked up her branded purses just because vendors aren't allowed to sell branded items.A good employee to speak to would be Rosi she is helpful and is very considerate.The staff is sometimes rude like one of the main lady's she is white with blonde hair and when she walks around she doesnt take the time to tell pull you to the side and tell you the rules , she just yells it out infront of everyone and you just stand their embarrassed.She is one of the rude ones, just because she is at a good position and is allowed to tell vendors something does not mean she has to be rude or act like we just killed someone.I would not recommend comming here everything is just disorganized...
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