Ahh… Divisoria. Where brave men dare not tread. But get a couple of mommies together, throw in some single ladies looking for a good bargain, and you are good to go.
A lot of people think going to flea markets saves quite a bundle of money. In December 2006, when the economy was scraping the bottom, Agence France-Presse reported that Filipinos flocked to places like Divisoria, Baclaran, Quiapo and other bargain shopping areas instead of glitzy shopping malls. For many, it was the worst Christmas in years.
And these are not just the masa you are talking about. There are a lot of Divisoria divas in the rich mommy club. Take Melanie Marquez-Lawyer and Tessa Prieto-Valdes, for example.
I make it a point to go to Divisoria at least once a year. Believe it or not, to me it’s more of a therapy, hehe. But to get the most benefit from flea markets, you need a strategy. You need a plan. Saving buckets of cash will not happen just because you find yourself sweaty on Ilaya street. In fact, if you are not careful, you’ll end up losing a lot of money!
First, compute the value of time and gas you spend going to these flea markets. It will take you at least three to four hours to navigate through the streets. What is the cost of three hours to many of us? That doesn’t count gas.
Second, five mommies I interviewed said they ended up buying bargain items they did not need. One said up to 50% of the things she bought were not immediate needs – they were just good bargains she couldn’t pass up. Until now, bolts of good quality cloth bought at 70% discount are still taking up space in her closet. Bargain or no bargain, they are unnecessary expenses if they are of no use.
This doesn’t mean nobody can make or save money going to flea markets. Just be aware of the pitfalls. At the least bring a list of things to buy – and stick to it! There was a time I balked at making a shopping list. It sounded too OC for me. Many overspending months after, I decided that taking the time to write a shopping list is worth the effort.
(Email me at lightdream@gmail.com if you want to submit your own tip.)
October 19th, 2007 at 10:58 am
[...] year round at Starmills outlet store in San Fernando, Pampanga. But as I said in a previous post, “cheap” doesn’t necessarily equate to “good buy.” They create artificial needs. So be careful when shopping in an outlet store. Those huge discounts [...]
June 18th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
hey guys, speaking of bedsheets, you get really good ones (as in 100% cotton with 300ttc) in amazon for as low as $20-$30! I kid you not. i have so far bought 3 sets and one set already includes 1 fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet, and 2 pillow cases. in full or queen size! what a bargain huh? buy those on SALE!
of course it helps when the H is on BT abroad and i just address the packages to him or even officemates who get sent on BT and i make my kapalmuks plea that they bring my order with them. of course i also make use of amazon’s free shipping for orders over $25. beats going to divi or whatever tiangge.
my mom buys sheets on ukay though. she just washes them first in hot water to get rid of any germs or whatever. and they’re soft cool crisp cotton… heaven!
June 17th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Salve,
I want to sew my own sheets too! Kaso masyadong maliit yung width ng fabric, so how do I work my way around that? Itatahi ko ba siya sa gitna?
I’ve been frequenting Divisoria lately (once a week, at least) and I’m enjoying it immensely!
June 1st, 2007 at 7:18 pm
hi analy! you have to show me where you buy those stuff. Its time for new sheets and Im trying to resist the nice and very expensive ones at Rustans hehe.
May 30th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Hi Salve,
Divisoria is one perfect place to buy fabrics. They have variety of quality fabrics in stylish and colorful design. I used to buy my beddings in malls. Then one day my chinese tita brought me to Divisoria, i found out that the fabrics they use in expenssive ready-made beddings are available here at a very low price. Imagine you buy a set of bed cover with 2 pillow casses at P1800 in Department store ( 10%sale price) where in divisoria you can buy same fabric with same quality at P190/ yard times 5yards for one set, do the math you’ll have big savings. Eto eh kung marunong kang manahi, pero kahit na mag bayad ka ng P500 sa labor ng patahi malaki pa rin ang savings. And to get bigger savings I buy in sets and usually schedule it every summer time maraming sale at mas maraming free time manahi. So i have the luxury of having stylish, comfortable, clean sheets every other week without repeating same design in 5 months. They also have variety of fabrics for curtains, upholstery and even for my kids pajamas.
Last month i discovered that the Thai designed throw pillow cases on sale in sm at P150-300 are available in Divi at only P75-100. There is even a place in Ilaya where you can buy first class Fiber-cotton for pillows at P100/kg which is enough to make 2 medium pillow. Name it and you’ll find it there at a very low price.
You have to bring your shopping list with the design and color you want before you go there ’cause you might end up buying stuff you won’t be using.