The informal markets (of used products) of Central and Eastern European countries
2011
Kovács, E., University of Pannonia, Georgikon Faculty, Keszthely, Hungary University of Pannonia, Keszthely (Hungary). Georgikon Faculty, Department of Economic and Social Sciences | Lőke, Zs., University of Pannonia, Georgikon Faculty, Keszthely, Hungary University of Pannonia, Keszthely (Hungary). Georgikon Faculty, Department of Economic and Social Sciences | Bacsi, Zs., University of Pannonia, Georgikon Faculty, Keszthely, Hungary University of Pannonia, Keszthely (Hungary). Georgikon Faculty, Department of Economic and Social Sciences | Bánhegyi, G., University of Pannonia, Georgikon Faculty, Keszthely, Hungary University of Pannonia, Keszthely (Hungary). Georgikon Faculty, Department of Economic and Social Sciences
In our sociological research conducted in 2006-2007 twenty-five junk traders and one- hundred customers were interviewed or/and asked to fill in questionnaires. The research focused on the role of junk trade as a possible way of rising to higher social levels. To support the recognition of the process, our researchers visited almost 150 settlements in Hungary, Austria and Serbia for participant observation. Garbage becomes a commodity anew through the collection by our fellow countrymen. By their activity these traders generate new markets in Hungary and in Eastern-Europe. The average customer can directly buy from the sale-yards of traders, or can meet their stock on weekly, monthly fairs, where a bigger supply offers the excitement of finding the right treasure. Thus, the cast-off commodities of the consumer society once again and through their almost endless circulation become useful and symbolic tools of other societies wishing to emerge into a consumer society. In the beginning of the change of regime, many were forced to find new sources of income after their fall out from the labor market. As many agricultural cooperatives ceased to operate, the number of the unemployed rose sharply, and for a certain part of the untrained rural population junk trade meant the only possibility for earning their living. For many Romas living in regions stricken by high unemployment rate, the recalling of family memories of herb picking and hawker life helped to start the junk trade activity in the nearby Western European countries. The trade of second hand goods is of course a much more complex and diversified process, with more complex motives in the background.
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