Dear readers, sorry for the radio silence. But what with the lockdown and commuting between Amsterdam and Nijmegen, and spending far too much time on Marktplaats sniffing out bargains, I have let my blog slide. So I thought, why not make MP a subject of my blog. Plus I am snowed in and can’t go anywhere anyway!
The Thrill of the Chase
Marktplaats is a much-loved, online trading place for everything and anything. Most sellers live in the Netherlands and as far as I know the concept hasn’t been rolled out beyond our borders. Unlike eBay it doesn’t charge the buyer or seller for using its forum and it’s pretty user-friendly. Having bought mainly larger items we have picked up cupboards, lamps, and rugs in our van so you get to meet the owners of pre-loved items and that is usually a nice experience. You can also search locally and it was an good ice-breaker in our street in Lent when we bought a table nearby and our neighbour offered to pick it up for us because he had the use of a trailer for the day.
I’m a firm believer that objects pick up their previous owners’ auras (yes, I have watched ‘Surviving Death‘ on Netflix) so we like to feel that the previous owners are pleasant. And like every online forum these days you get to review each other so it’s important to remain polite.
Good for the Environment
Since the lockdown, Ikea has been so busy that they don’t accept online orders anymore. For larger objects they charged a 50 euro delivery fee anyway. So MP is pretty much the only place you can get reasonably-priced items and view them beforehand. Plus buying second-hand items is better for the environment, reduces packaging and waste.
Eats your Time
The whole business can be rather time-consuming though. And before you know it you’ve spent a couple of hours searching out the right item at the right price in the right location and you still haven’t scored! My list of favourite items is ridiculously long. Often sellers don’t bother replying to inquiries or ask daft prices. Many people don’t realise that if you shop at places like Ikea or Made as soon as you purchase the item it devalues. Anyway, those are the downsides, but the upsides far outweigh the negatives. Here are a few photos of aforesaid bargains, or ‘koopjes’ as they say in Dutch! Plus some pictures taken around Lent, Nijmegen and de Waal. Before and after snowstorm!

Kelim carpet 185 euros

Bevelled mirror 25 euros


Zenza lamp 80 euros

Corner cupboard 10 euros

Copper lamp 15 euros

Oak veneered cupboard 100 euros

