At factory outlets, you can shop till you drop

Susanna Tjokro, Contributor, Jakarta

In Jakarta and other big cities throughout Indonesia, factory outlets are mushrooming, offering merchandise that runs the gamut from the cheesy to the elegant. Some of them have a good range of clothing, footwear and bags, along with household goods.

If you don't care about quality, you may find a shopping paradise. But be warned: Some of the items are over-produced, while others don't pass quality control.

Others are simply fakes.

Usually, products are "on sale" for three months to six months after being sold at full price elsewhere. These include Versace, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Guess, Levi's, Timberland, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger, to name just a few.

I leave you to judge their quality on your own. Seeing (and touching) is believing. Some shops may offer the same brand, say for instance, the GAP, but the quality may vary.

Many people, in fact, don't doubt that many stores mix the fakes in along with the genuine ones.

Anyway, if you're the type who likes to hunt for a bargain among bargains, then factory outlets definitely ought to be included in your shopping agenda.

Check out what's offered at these factory outlets:

Taman Bale Air

Here, besides the popular food court, you can find four factory outlets. Bonne Chance and F.O.B. sell mostly clothes, while Nike and Smart offer mainly footwear. * Smart Taman Bale Air Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto Kav. 18 Telephone: (021) 5203976, 5203977 Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily Merchandise: footwear (including thongs and sandals), socks, baseball caps, sun hats and bags.

This shop offers footwear in various shapes and sizes such as O'Neill, Kickers, Ocean Pacific (OP), FILA and Diadora. Some are said to come from abroad, but you be the judge.

A pair of Pierre Cardin shoes are prominently shown: Made in Italy, but costing Rp 99,000.

Meanwhile, some funky OP sandals and thongs can be found priced from between Rp. 50,000 to Rp 99,000. Colorful children's shoes range from Rp 99,000 to Rp 129,000.

Some cool bags, like FILA, start at Rp 90,000.

"They sell a wide range of men's shoes at affordable prices," a customer remarked. * NIKE Factory Outlet Taman Bale Air Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto Kav. 18 Telephone: (021) 5203735, 5203736 Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Merchandise: Clothes, footwear, socks, watches, sunglasses, bags, baseball caps, sun hats and gloves.

As you can guess, you will only find Nike stuff from local distributor PT Berca Sportindo. Some T-shirts bear tags saying they were made in either Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, the USA, the UK or Portugal. Prices start at Rp 42,000.

Tennis, golf, running and soccer shoes are also offered. Shoes start at Rp 199,950. A pair of cool, Nike sunglasses, made in China, are considered a real bargain at Rp 226,500. The price tag revealed a big discount from its original Rp 928,900. Most of the glasses are made in Korea and China; the cheapest one costs Rp 226,500.

Watches are on sale, too, starting at Rp. 412,000. * Cheap 'N Chic Jl. Panglima Polim IX No. 20 Telephone: (021) 7253523 Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily Merchandise: clothes, women's undies, bags, toys and socks.

Some Kipling look-alike tote bags are priced at Rp 99,000. The zippers read "Energie" -- instead of "Kipling" (just like the ones sold at Kipling stores worldwide).

This two-story shop sells some imported stuff from places like China and Singapore. Check out the interesting men's line where Timberland, GAP, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren products are on display. Shorts, T-shirt, cardigans, sweats, shirts, pajamas and jeans are sold here. Groovy tank tops are a bargain at Rp 25,000.

Colorful children clothes (made in China and Indonesia) are priced from Rp 20,000 on up.

"I like its men's line, from shorts to extra-large shirts," a buyer remarked.

Heritage Graha Darya Varia Jl. Barito II No. 56 (Next to Hero Barito) Telephone: (021) 7209482 Hours: 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily Merchandise: clothes, bags, bed sheets, watches and bric-a-brac. There's also a "wrapping corner" inside.

Heritage stocks various shapes and sizes of clothing. Moms will love its colorful kids' wardrobe.

Clothes from Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia are dominant here. A cute Malaysian OshKosh B'Gosh bodysuit is relatively cheap at Rp 29,500 (considering its quality). A pretty Singaporean McKids dress is Rp 45,000.

Check out its cute tank top collection. GAP made in Singapore is priced at Rp 29,500. Its nightgowns and pajamas are worth a look also.

The men's section is also highlighted. Pierre Cardin, Calvin Klein, GAP and Timberland are a few available brands, from formal shirts to casual T-shirts. An Armani Exchange T-shirt, made in the U.S., is a good buy at Rp 32,500.

Guess (Rp 149,500), Versace, Burberrys and Levi's are among its wide range of jeans on display.

Check out the bag collection: an Elle tote bag sells for Rp 189,000. Purses bear the labels of Gucci, Chanel, Salvatore Ferragamo and Prada join the others.

"I love the kid's section ... a cute baby bodysuit, made in Brunei, only cost Rp 29,500," said one mother.

Millenia Komp. Taman Ria Senayan Jl. Gerbang Pemuda Kav. 3 Telephone: (021) 2512108 Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily Merchandise: clothes, women's undies, bags, toys and household items.

This store is one of the biggest factory outlets in Jakarta. Items from Malaysia, Korea, Cambodia, Singapore, Bangladesh and Indonesia are sold in this variety store.

Its four stories boast rooms with various shapes and sizes of clothing. Shorts, tank tops, pajamas, bathrobes and fleece jackets are just some of the samples. Some are real bargains. A cool Benetton jacket is only Rp 89,500 (compared with the initial price tag of HK$495).

The kids' department is adorable. Funky mini-tank tops mostly cost Rp 17,500. Pretty Osh Kosh B'Gosh dresses from Cambodia go for Rp 39,000.

The men's section features clothes from Ralph Lauren to Lacoste, mainly priced under Rp 100,000. An Armani Exchange T- shirt (proudly labeled "made in USA") is Rp 49,000.

Denim lovers should check out Millenia's collection, with its Burberry, Versace and Calvin Klein jeans. Prices start at about Rp 145,000 (Boy London). Levi's aren't available, however.

Bed sheets, placemats, porcelain dolls, graters and cups are among its household items.

"It's just like one-stop shopping for our family; everything's here, ready to cater to our needs!" raved one housewife.

You're spoiled by choices! Happy shopping!