Um, ok. yall had some good points, and some myths. First off, quality. While there will always be old, bad fish at any market, Fulton gets some of the best product in the country consigned directly to it from the source fisherman/farm. Most of the NY/NJ/CT area wholesalers have buyers at the market every night. Also most of the stalls get more product in every night than they can put in thier coolers at the end of the day. That market moves huge volume. The main point is buying. Sure you can, on a cash (as in folding green stuff) basis. But yes, there are some limitations that make it a bit of a challenge. Like the fact the market goes from 4am to 9am. How to do it: Show up on a Tues. or Wed., as they are the slower days, before 7am. The stalls primarily sell in bulk, but most stalls will have a table out with pieces (individual fish, boxes of shrimp, etc.) that they will sell by the lb, each, etc. Pick something out that and ask how much. If you want it the guy will weigh it and give you a ticket. Take the ticket to the cash window, pay, and take the reciept back to the guy and get your fish. Almost none of the places cut product, so you have to buy whole fish, which I think is a good thing.... If you want pointers, forgive me for being un-PC, find some oldish immigrent-looking lady walking around with shoppingbags and watch how she does it. Stalls specialize. Shellfish places may break boxes or bags. most will sell .5 gal scallops (4lb). If you have rubber boots ware them and tuck your pants in. As you are wandering around folks may say "buyer-seller" to you. Answer buyer. It's an amazing, and intimidating, place. You can see fish there that you won't see an fish markets. If you live in or visit NYC and like seafood you owe it to yourself to do it one morning, and see what goes on behind the curtain. See it before it's gone. Corruption, not realy, not anymore. Usedtowas. I have been deep enough into several Fulton shops to know. Seafood is a cash for commodity business, so/and it looks rough, but the organized crime element has been disenfranchised to the point where folks do basicaly straight business. For instance vendors sending product in used to have to give thier driver ฤ to pay off the mob so the truck got unloaded... mayor G fixed that years ago. B Edulis, a how to buy trip around chinatown sounds like a hoot. I live in MD, but if we had enough takers it could be a great field trip. Not to be harsh, but if the people you buy your fish do not know farmed/wild/producer/where from/dry vs. processed, go buy somewhere else. Find a place where you can get good info. on the product. -Nef