Peer-to-Peer Marketplace Study

Okay I'll admit it, I've always hated collaborative assignments. Not because I'm completely anti-social (I don't think), but because it has largely been my experience that whenever I have to work with other people, I end up having to do the bulk of the work. So, I couldn't help but mumbled unhappily to myself when we were given a group project as our first assignment in Design Research class.

But, this isn't high school biology, I thought, so perhaps working with other designers will prove to be a better experience, right?...RIGHT! This is actually one project I'm glad I didn't have to do alone. On Sunday, September 7th, I went with my two partners, Charlotte and Jerry, to the Alemany Flea Market to observe face-to-face sales interactions and interview some buyers and sellers.

It proved to be quite an interesting experience delving into this little pocket of San Francisco culture. Even though one of my group members is a Bay area native, it seemed clear that we were "outsiders" in this environment and most people were not so willing to divulge information to us. All three of us were a little intimidated to start striking up conversations, so first we did a loop around the marketplace to feel it out.

Once we got our bearings, we tried to approach one seller together, but it must have come off as some sort of stealth attack because although the seller would answer a few questions, she was very reluctant.

There was quite an interesting array of items that varied from vendor to vendor. There were antiques, clothes, electronics, power tools, areas that looked like a yard sale transplants, and even a vendor that just sold shoes.

So, for "investigative purposes" I decided to get in on the action and buy something at the market. Although a violin at one table caught my eye, once I learned that it was $85, I decided that a table full of jewelry market as $1 per item would more up my alley. After sifting through the hodgepodge of necklaces and bracelets, I narrowed it down to three. Intending to buying two, I asked the vendor's opinion on which suited me best. "Ah," he said, "with my pricing system you can have 3 items for $2." "Sold!" I replied, wondering if I had just unintentionally haggled for a better price.