Bargains and Bazaars
I can’t believe it’s already November! Everyday, radio stations and TV programs are all counting down to Christmas day. It’s that time of the year for making the Christmas list and bargain shopping for gifts.
All year round, bazaars are found all over town but there is nothing like going around these stalls during the last quarter of the year. It’s amazing what things one can find and the bargain prices that they are sold for. If you are shopping on a budget and do not want to go all the way to Divisoria Mall, then the bazaars are the perfect place to search for your tokens and gifts.
When buying gifts, I’ve always gone for practicality over extravagance. More so these days when life is just so hard and one should be more conscientious with one’s spending habits. After all, it’s the thought that counts.
For budding entrepreneurs, bazaars may turn out to be a good opportunity to experiment on your products. Several years ago, I came home from a trip to the US with a travel bag set which cost me $30. It hurt me to spend that much money on the item as I knew how much it would cost to make it. (If I recall correctly, I sold it for P375/set.) However, it was necessary for me to have the sample available so I can pattern the set I will make based on it. When I had the travel set bags made, I consigned them to a couple of classmates who had a booth in one of these popular Christmas bazaars. They sold the bags at a much higher price than my selling price but the 75 sets I prepared for that weekend bazaar sold out on the first day; my friends ended up ordering the bags for the succeeding bazaars where they had a booth in. Outside of the bazaars, they continued to order the travel bag sets as they were receiving orders from their clients as well.
Now, if you don’t know anyone to whom you can consign your products, just peddle your stuff. Don’t’ be shy nor think of how embarrassing it might be. The last quarter of the year is really the perfect time to approach people and offer your gift ideas because people will be looking for gifts to give away. Classmates, friends, teachers, officemates, colleagues and superiors---name them, the search is on for something to give each and every one of them. Of course, goodies, sweets, food items, and the like are seen as items of choice because they are considered to be “safe” gifts.
You have the next six weeks to test the market, make the most of it. Who knows? This could be the start of something big for you.
Have fun and enjoy the challenge the Christmas season brings forth! |
