If I see one more AliExpress ring that I know will turn my finger green, I might scream. I go to markets to buy the spoon bracelet that a woman is shaping right in front of me, not for something I know will tarnish as soon as I hand over my cash.

It’s disheartening to see more and more resold cheap items take up space at local markets. As the purpose of local markets is to uplift vendors and small businesses, cheap goods weaken what local markets are really about.

Holli Hebl is the owner of Stone Bird Art and has been selling at the Eugene Saturday Market since moving to the area about six months ago. She said that the market was a big draw for moving to Eugene because there’s an automatic venue for artists to sell their work.

“As for the community, I can’t emphasize enough how deep and far-reaching the impact is. It’s a Saturday meeting place, a chance to see new interesting things, a place to bring out-of-town guests and everyone in the community comes together in this small space. You never know who you’re going to meet or what you’re going to see; It’s magical,” Hebl said.

When asked about the infiltration of massmade goods in local markets, Hebl said that it “lessens the uniqueness and integrity” as well as the “wholesomeness” of the market.

“Mass-produced items can be sold at a lower price and are often disposable. When you purchase something from a vendor who has grown or made it themselves, there is an intrinsic increase in the value placed on an item. You treasure it more and you are more cognizant of making sure it’s well used or loved.”

Hebl also mentioned that the market has strict rules for what can be sold and that items must be deemed handmade.

Even with rules in place, it seems that some goods don’t align with the market’s original purpose.

Loïc Matlosz, a woodworker who moved to Eugene from France, is a frequent visitor to the Saturday Market. He typically goes for the ambiance and to learn from vendors about the skills that it takes to make their goods.

He said that he can see the value in more affordable goods being sold as the market brings in a lot of students on a budget. “Not everyone has the capacity to buy these products; not all people can afford a $700 wooden table,” he said.

“What I noticed at first was the 3D printed plastic toys. That’s still a skill to make, but I don’t really like the cheap plastic results. I’m also starting to notice all the stuff that isn’t made by people, like reselling stuff. I think that’s maybe even worse,” Matlosz said.

As much as affordability matters, it shouldn’t come at the cost of authenticity and sustainable local creativity.

Our World in Data, the online scientific publication, says that “plastic production has more than doubled in the last two decades.”

Continuing to sell plastic goods in markets not only creates more waste but also commodifies community spaces that are meant to share authentic, handmade items created to be cherished.

Prioritize localism by buying from creators of sustainable goods. This means you’ll not only be valuing sales but also the stories of local artisans.