BY SANDRA BARERRA >STAFF WRITER

It's yet another Sunday morning at the Saugus Swap Meet and Julie Zamarripa is inspecting a Princess House-brand creamer and sugar bowl set at one of the vendor booths.

The North Hills woman agrees to pay $5 for the pair.

"I was going to buy this for my friend for $25 plus tax and shipping so; in all, it would have come out to 30-some dollars," Zamarripa says. "You don't get Princess House for under $20, so this is a pretty good deal I think."

Welcome to the bazaar.

Every weekend, crowds pour into any one of the greater Los Angeles-area swap meets looking for deals as they sift through a labyrinth of attic artifacts, apparel and other goods, from furniture to electric shavers.

Part of the fun of these open marketplaces is finding something unique and then negotiating with a vendor over its price, which has become especially popular in this sputtering economy.

Many swap meet organizers have noticed a recent increase in attendance.

"Just look down the aisles," says Dena Weingardt, manager of the Valley Indoor Swap meet inside the Panorama City location (It has another in Pomona). "Every day on the news you hear about businesses closing.

"We are so incredibly lucky that that's not even a possibility for us," she says. "In fact, we're talking about expanding."

As it turns out, the Valley Indoor Swap Meet has a long waiting list of vendors wanting to benefit from the crowds. But that's not to suggest business is always booming for existing vendors - especially those that specialize in higher-priced merchandise.

A steady stream of shoppers approaches the glass counter attended by Rubie Nguyen for a look at her collection of gold and silver rings, charm necklaces and bracelets priced at less than $100.

"People ask a lot of questions, but no one is buying," says Nguyen, whose Rubie Jewelry has been a presence here for the past 15 years.

Across the Valley floor at the Saugus Swap Meet, Arcadio Corona's Palmdale-based fountain business also has been lagging in sales.

"These are expensive items," he says of his collection of large cement fountains, garden statues and birdbaths. "It's not like I have anything to sell you for $5."

For those who do have items to sell in the discount range, business is brisk with people buying CDs, shoes and china.

"I had a set of Royal Albert, and they went really fast," says Evelyne Heck as she arranges some of her unwanted teapots, jewelry and even a fur coat on her display tables at the opposite end of the Saugus Swap Meet. "I had dishes from Denmark that I sold for 10 percent of what they cost me. But the man bought them as a gift for someone, so at least they'll be used."

Not everything at the swap meet is up for negotiation because some items come with a price tag. Still, you can get great deals on just about everything under the sun.

And speaking of sun: Lupe Osuna is at his sunny corner of the Saugus Swap Meet talking doomsday scenarios with a pair of 20-somethings who have been drawn to his replicas of the Aztec calendar. The calendar is also known as the Sun Stone.

Like the Mayan calendar, it prophesies the end of human existence. Of course, Osuna also deals in other Mexican imports, from head-bobbing animal trinkets to planters and colorful talavera sun wall hangings.

"That type of work is unbelievable and very expensive," he says of the suns, which fetch upwards of $200 at some high-end pottery stands in Malibu.

His price: $35.

"On that I don't bargain," he says matter-of-factly. "But ask me about anything else."

Sandra Barrera, (818) 713-3728

sandra.barrera@dailynews.com

Here's a list of some area swap meets:

PACIFIC SAN FERNANDO SWAP MEET

What: Spanning 36 acres, it touts itself as the largest outdoor swap meet in the San Fernando Valley with 1,000 vendor spaces specializing in produce, clothing, pet supplies, fabrics and much more.

Location: 585 Glenoaks Blvd., San Fernando.

Hours: 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Information: (818) 361-1431 or www.sanfernandoswapmeet.com.

SAUGUS SWAP MEET

What: For more than 40 years, this market has been providing shoppers with deals on everything from fresh produce to everyday goods, as well as live entertainment and eats. Admission is $1.50 except Tuesday for the collector-friendly Flea Market Days.

Location: 22500 Soledad Canyon Road, Saugus.

Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday; 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Information: (661) 259-3886 orwww.saugusspeedway.com.

VALLEY INDOOR SWAP MEET

What: Here you can get your nails done, grab a bite to eat and shop two floors of jewelry, cosmetics and clothes for every member of your family. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Location: 14650 Parthenia St., Panorama City.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Information: (818) 892-0183 or www.indoorswap.com.

ROSE BOWL FLEA MARKET

What: Every second Sunday of the month the Rose Bowl Flea Market opens its gates to bargain hunters in search of vintage fashion, antique furnishings, housewares and more. Admission is $8; children under 12 are admitted free with an adult.

Location: 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 14

Information: (323) 560-7469 or www.rgcshows.com.