Flag vendors experience slow business<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Although every household in Jakarta is expected
\nto display the national flag for the upcoming Independence Day
\nand decorate their yard accordingly, seasonal business of the so-
\ntermed Agustusan is not good so far for the vendors concerned.<\/p>\n
The Agustusan business, such as selling the Indonesian flag
\nand flagpoles, usually booms ahead of the celebration of
\nIndonesia's Independence Day, which falls on Aug. 17 every year.<\/p>\n
A number of flag vendors, who have been in the business for
\nyears, said on Monday that the seasonal business was usually
\nprofitable, and it had even attracted many vendors from other
\ntowns.<\/p>\n
\"I have been here for a week, and so far I've only sold around
\nsix flags,\" 56-years-old Misran told The Jakarta Post at the
\nsidewalk of Jl. Pejompongan, Central Jakarta, where he displayed
\nhis merchandise.<\/p>\n
Misran and two of his friends, who come from Cirebon, West
\nJava, have come to Jakarta each year during the last few years to
\nsell Independence Day paraphernalia.<\/p>\n
\"I don't know why there are not many buyers this year. Usually
\nat around this time, we already have lots of buyers,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Back in his home town of Cirebon, he has a number of
\ngrandchildren in his care to feed and a debt of Rp 200,000
\n(US$22.7) he must pay to a food stall.<\/p>\n
Last year, he managed to rake in a net profit of Rp 200,000
\nfrom selling the red-and-white flags for two weeks.<\/p>\n
\"I doubt I could make that much this year. I'm lucky just to
\nbe able to feed myself every day here,\" Misran said, adding that
\nthe price of a flag ranges from Rp 10,000 to Rp 20,000 and a
\nbamboo flag pole is Rp 4,000.<\/p>\n
However, Misran has no plans to close the business and return
\nto Cirebon. \"I'm trying to be optimistic. Maybe tomorrow will be
\na lucky day for me,\" said Misran, who stated that he obtained the
\nflags from Karet Tengsin, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Misran's friend, Sarima, 52, who also sells flags at the
\nroadside, said he had been in the seasonal business for the past
\n10 years.<\/p>\n
Sarima, who is a farmer in his hometown Cirebon, claimed to
\nhave been able to take home a net profit of Rp 300,000 last year.
\n\"But now I don't have many buyers,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sarima, who got his flags from Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta,
\nadded that on Monday, until around noon, he had sold not even one
\nbamboo flagpole, although he had tried to peddle them around.<\/p>\n
Another flag seller in Boplo market in Central Jakarta, Yani,
\nsaid business this year is not as good as last year's. Just like
\nhis other counterparts, he was unable to see why trade was so
\nslack.<\/p>\n
\"I'm not sure ... perhaps people have kept the poles and flags
\nthey bought last year,\" said Yani, who, after the Agustusan,
\nusually sells rujak (fruit salad with spicy sauce) in Menteng,
\nCentral Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Asked which of his businesses is more profitable, he said:
\n\"People participate in the seasonal business because they hope to
\nbe able to make a large amount of money as additional income.
\nBut in the long term it's better to have a fixed but regular
\nincome, even if it is only a small amount.\"<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Tisno, another flag seller in front of the Manggala
\nWanabakti building, South Jakarta, is determined to continue his
\nflag business until Aug. 17, regardless of the gloomy trading
\nconditions.<\/p>\n
\"That's just how business is. There are good times and also
\nbad times,\" he said. (06)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/flag-vendors-experience-slow-business-1447893297",
"image": ""
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