Spring Valley Swap Meet — Local services in La Presa

From a seller's standpoint Short-n-Sweet version: Large crowd, Can def. make some serious cash, No matter when you get there there's a line, Every spot is a good spot Open from 7am-3pm $10-20 entry fee Early bird potential to sell everything prior to entry/event opening (in wait line; buyers will approach you/your goods) Not the best buyers but buyers nonetheless Its where you go if you have a garage sale but are without a garage (just make sure you can minimally make $30 with your merchandise so you can have at least made $10 ha (thats very minimal, but thats why I said minimally) Long version: It IS always crowded, which is a good thing however, the buyers are ruthless low ballers who can not seem to be satisfied, even if they've just aquired something you gave them for free! (granted, I cannot say all of them, just 99.67% of them). They come in swarms and pillage through your stuff when you're barely out of your seatbelt. Perfect senario! Imagine a zombie scene: a swarm of zombies as you drive through the lot trying to find where you're suppose to be setting up shop. As you attempt to roll through the crowd ever so slowly with frequent bouts of being stopped, faces pressed against your windows as they (try to) open your doors so they can look in to see if you 'got what they want' (BRAINS!!!). No joke. Then, lets say now you're set up. They have no regard for your presentation and throw, pull, shove, toss, open (just like destroyers) your items only to be 'so excited' or 'so let down' and they have no problem showing you their contempt. Even when amongst their peers theyre like, "oooo! yeah!!!" (smiling, head nodding, realizing a sweet deal when they see one) they most always direct a look of disappointment toward you in an attempt to haggle down your already extremely low prices. They will often involve children in hopes of touching the heartstrings of an unsuspecting seller to really lock-in their offer. Its like no matter what... I could be selling something for $1 and they're like, ".50?" and I'm like, "$1" and they're like, ".50"? and I'm like, "$1" and they're like, ".50?" and I'm like, "$1"... then they shoot the most extreme look of utter disappointment as if to 'shame' you somehow or something (perhaps in an attempt to change your mind?) But now, think of the exact SAME item you had envisioned being offered for $1, only now I'm selling it for $10, ok? You follow? That senario would go like this: "$5?" and I'm like, "$10" and their like, "$5?" and I'm like, "$10" etc. etc. You see where I'm going with this yeah? Its like they dont care what the actual price for the product is, only that they can get it for 1/2 of what youre asking for it. I just can not bring myself to up my asking price for everything just so I can get my asking price, because I feel that is just plain ridiculous. Although the times I have done that have definitely proved to be beneficial for me, I just feel somewhat scandalous in doing so therefore I don't usually tend to do that and just suffer the sales as a result. I feel I offer way, way too low of prices for what I'm selling already (and mainly because I just want it out of my life, like yesterday). I will say, the men are 57.7% better than the ladies at this swap meet. I say that because men are usually the window zombies more than not, but once set up, they're usually more tactful in looking through your stuff and they don't keep asking the same question literally 4-5x; they usually limit theirs to 2 and if they do a 3rd, its always after a long pause and with a somewhat charming 3rdx (to which my answer still remains) and more often than not, they'll sigh with a smile and just reluctantly accept my offer (after all, they know they're getting a good deal; or maybe I just know they're getting a good deal... hmmm). Once again, this is only one seller's viewpoint based on every time I've attended. I might (probably) have a completely different opinion from a buyers perspective. If that ever happens to be the case I will be sure to...

I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding the conduct of an employee named Veronica (title unknown) at the Spring Valley Swap Meet.

On Sunday, June 22, 2025, I was approached by Veronica while assisting my family members at their selling space. She told me I could not be in the space helping them because, according to her, she did not sell me a ticket and it was not allowed. This was despite the fact that many other vendors around us had family members and friends helping them, which is common and often necessary—especially given the ongoing issues with theft. Having additional support helps ensure safety, manage customers, and protect property.

I felt unfairly targeted and discriminated against. As one of the very few Black vendors in an environment that is predominantly Hispanic (approximately 95%), the way Veronica handled the situation felt biased and disrespectful. I expressed to her that others around me were allowed to have help, but she insisted she treats everyone the same. However, I took video footage showing multiple vendors with others assisting them in their spaces, which contradicts her claim.

Additionally, while I understand that permits are required to sell, it is important that all vendors are held to the same standards regardless of race, background, or personal connections. I also observed a number of vendors openly selling counterfeit or replica goods, which I understand is against swap meet policy, yet no enforcement seemed to be taking place.

I respectfully request that this incident be investigated seriously, and that management consider deploying undercover staff—or even inviting a Black officer or representative to observe how different groups are treated. All vendors deserve fair, respectful, and equal treatment, and I hope action will be taken to prevent discriminatory behavior...

Swap Meets don't seem to exist anymore and this place was proof of that. It's easy to tell that the majority of the vendors are simply reselling merchandise they bought elsewhere at a substantial markup. There was nothing unique here, at least not today. All of the booths were pretty much the same and the variety was slim. If you don't mind killing some time and looking through goods you could easily buy at your local grocery store then you're in the right place.

Cover fee was a $1 which was nice, but what's the point of having numerous signs saying "no dogs" when dogs are all over the place? That's the only reason I didn't bring mine.

Lastly, beware of the food vendor in the upper right corner– it's a scam. I counted $7 and handed it to the cashier who told me it would be a ten minute wait. As soon as I walked away he called me back and told me I had shortchanged him and I needed to pay more money. I said I know I gave him $7 and he insisted that I only gave him $5. Didn't feel like arguing with him so I offered him more money. He consulted with someone and said 'don't worry about it.' And of course, as soon as I stepped out of line I saw him hand money to the man on his right who slipped it in his pocket while the rest went into the register. I didn't get my food as the wait went up from 10 to over 20 minutes. I was given my money back– short the $2, of course. This food vendor is a scam and I...