Ubiquitous during the holiday season, bazaars are popular for offering a wide array of products, many of which are usually hard to find in malls and stores. Homemade goods, handicrafts, artisanal delights, farm goods and delicacies from distant provinces, as well as export overruns and cheap knock-offs are usually sold here.
Although there are tiangges in operation throughout the year, there are also a small number that sprout only during the holiday season to take advantage of the shopping rush. Usually, these are found in residential subdivisions.
More than the goods, what makes bazaars so attractive to many shoppers is that haggling can be done freely with the tiangge owners. That means you can get away with good deals — even as low as 50 percent off — if you know how to negotiate well.
Although bazaars are known to be a bargain hunter’s paradise, you can still blow your budget if you aren’t careful. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your bazaar shopping expedition:
Have a shopping list.
The easiest way to overspend is to shop without a plan. If you are buying gifts, make sure you have a ready list of recipients indicating a budget for each. This way, you can stay within your spending limit.
Check out mall and online prices beforehand.
Sometimes, what looks like a good bargain might turn out not to be so. This is why it’s good to have an idea of how much items sell in brick-and-mortar and online stores before you hit the bazaars. You’ll be surprised – some items being sold in bazaars may be on sale in regular stores, and at lower prices.
Compare prices from stall to stall.
Resist the urge to buy from the first stall you visit. Do a quick reconnaissance to find out the prices of similar items in different stalls. Prices can greatly vary among them so checking out the lay of the “shopping land” really helps you find best bargains.
Haggle, haggle, haggle.
Bazaars are a haggler’s haven. Do not hesitate to ask the seller for a discount, especially if you are buying items in bulk. Sellers are also happy to extend discounts to repeat customers. Don’t hesitate to ask for more--the merchant may just be too happy to oblige.
Examine items closely.
Unlike regular stores which have customer service departments, bazaars are temporary stores that you may not be able to locate after a certain period. This is why you should check the items thoroughly for any possible damages before making a purchase . Ask about their return policy, and ask for a receipt or a proof of purchase to facilitate a possible exchange.
Stick to small, inexpensive items.
Because they are not regulated, bazaars may not be the ideal place to purchase large-ticket items, especially those that offer a warranty. If you’re looking for gadgets or goods that require after-sales service, get these from the authorized dealers that can offer and honor the warranty and provide follow-through services.
Buyer beware.
Due to their unregulated nature, there is no guarantee that the merchandise in bazaars have gone through and passed requirements such as quality control. For example, Christmas lights and electrical items may not have gone through safety checks. Similarly, if you are looking for designer items, you may be better off going to department stores where the authorized dealers are located.
Check your money.
Since most bazaars do not use cash registers, you are often left at the mercy of vendors who may make mistakes in computing your bill. Do a parallel computation and check your items before leaving to ensure that no mistakes are made. A wise alternative is to use your credit card where plastic is accepted to lessen the use of cash.
Timing counts.
The time of purchase often determines the size of the discount. If you’re buying gift items in the run-up to Christmas, expect prices to be high. If you shop on the last day or last few hours of a bazaar, though, many merchants may be happy to hold a clearance sale. Similarly, you can probably get big discounts if you do your shopping after the holiday season.
Happy bargain hunting!
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
