Getting the best deal, the best bargain

If I were to work in government, I would be perfect for the procurement service under the Department of Budget and Management. It takes me a while to purchase something of value, because I need to test it, and compare prices before I decide on buying it.

I always want to get the best deal, the best bargain.

Maybe it’s the Ilocano and Chinese in me, instinctively I ask if the seller can offer a better price. Most of the time, the seller would guarantee that theirs is the lowest already, only to find out later, that they were not exactly truthful. Quite common in bazaars — a seller would suddenly offer a lower price when you decide to leave. Why didn’t they just offer the best price right away and save us all the time and effort?

If you’re going shopping, and you want great bargains, naturally, Divisoria would be it.

When I was in my teens, my Mama Elaine and I would go to Divisoria to buy items to sell. Items sold in Divisoria are pretty much the same as the items that you find in Greenhills. Of course, it’s much more convenient to go to Greenhills than Divisoria, but be willing to pay sometimes double the price of Divi items.

A word of caution, we get what we pay for, so it’s best that you don’t buy cheap stuff when you expect durability. Years ago, I went to 168 Mall in Divisoria and was thrilled to find a pair of shoes for less than P300. It was quite nice but only used it twice, because the heels crumbled! To my surprise, the heels were hollow. So when it comes to shoes it’s best to get expensive ones.

My safe bet when I go shopping is SM Mall. Because, really, they’ve got everything in their department stores and at very reasonable prices. Quite a number of times, people would be surprised to find out that what I’m wearing is from SM, and always mistake it for brands like Zara. If you’re not conscious about bumping into someone in the same outfit, go for it. Once I was desperate for a dark blue gown for a wedding and found one at SM Department store for about P2,500. It looked like the designer gowns being sold at Greenbelt 5. The downside, it would fit better if it were two inches longer. No one noticed anyway. Match your bargain item with great pieces and you can say, “It’s how you wear the clothes that count.” And brace yourself when you find out someone has an exact gown as yours.

My husband and I also enjoy going to the bazaars at the World Trade Center or at the SMX, and what’s cool, you find things that you would not normally find elsewhere. You find suppliers for books, restaurants, construction and cheap airfares and vacations. The past travel fair was a blockbuster, with a feel as if you were at the stock exchange market. And the prices were significantly cheaper. The good thing about these big thematic bazaars is you have all the suppliers in one venue, and it’s a good way to compare and get the best deals because sellers give good discounts and promos. A word of advice though to the management of World Trade, it would really help if you have better parking.

Some off-site locations where you can find bargain items:

HMR in Pioneer St. in Mandaluyong. I’ve been there only once, but it’s interesting because you find all sorts of things from home furnishings to office supplies, or whatever. It seems that they sell whatever they buy in bulk from abroad. When you find something there, better that you buy it at once.

The Centris weekend market along EDSA in Quezon City is also a good place to go when looking for fresh produce, but you have to go early. This is still the better option compared to the pricier weekend markets in Makati City, if you’re looking for a bargain.

One place I love for bargains is the Export Processing Zone in Rosario, Cavite. It’s the steal of all steals during the Christmastime. They sell items like Gap and Carter for children at low prices. And they’re the real deal because these are export overruns. A number of those selling in bazaars source from them.

I get from a suki, Bryce, some clothes that I wear on television, some signature brands, that are overruns from the EPZAs. They always have new stock and their pricing is very affordable compared to the other stores. They have stores in Greenhills and Makati.

Some not-so-bargain places are the outlet stores in the North Expressway and the Sta. Rosa area. You expect that the term “outlet” would mean big price cuts as how outlets are in other countries, but such is not always the case. You need not go out of your way only to find that the items in an “outlet” are the same as the items on sale in the stores located in the malls.

I share with you some bargain hunting tips and deals:

•Be patient in comparing prices.

•Know when to haggle. And haggle kindly.

Haggle hard when in bazaars, because even the sellers are prepared for that. (Trivia: People do not haggle in Batanes. I was told that it offends some locals. Haggle in Baguio. Well, we are Ilocanos, right?)

•Inquire in establishments if they give discounts. In buying appliance, for example, stores like Ansons and Best Western may give discounts if you’re buying several items or are paying in cash. Kindly ask for the manager because they would have the discretion.

•Check websites for discounts and bargain  like sulit.com, ensogo, groupon, metrodeal, cashcashpinoy, beecomomic, dealgrocer. I’ve never tried this personally though. Google group-buying sites.

•Check establishments that have tie-ups with your credit card company.

•Avail of mall discount cards like Ayala card and Resorts World and get 10-percent discount on their tenants.

Enjoy bargain-hunting and share your great finds.

(E-mail me at [email protected]. Follow me on Twitter @bernadette_ABS.)