Flea markets for the poor
By Hera Diani
JAKARTA (JP): Flea markets often surprise us by offering things that cannot be found in supermarkets, shopping malls or other stores. That if you do not mind using or wearing used items.
Try strolling along the Kebayoran Lama market in South Jakarta.
Located beneath an overpass, you will find dozens of stalls selling second-hand goods.
From shoes, electric guitars and bedcovers to electric fans, cassettes and bicycles, its all here.
If you take a good look at each stall, you might find something unique or funky, such as a floral silk vest with fur for only Rp 25,000 (US$2.30). Of course, you can bargain.
In other stalls you can find shocking pink fabric covered with Chinese symbols, a record as old as your grandfather and silver jewelry. All at negotiable prices.
Most of the items are in good enough condition, considering that they are second-hand goods. Except for the sheets and blankets, many of which are faded and stained.
A vendor named Ginting, who sells bedclothes, said he purchases his goods from a Korean.
"We bought them from this distributor who sells them in bales. A bale contains over a hundred bedcovers or pieces of clothing and costs some Rp 1.25 million ($113.64)," he told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
Other vendors, such as Marbun, get most of their goods from shopping centers.
"Items that haven't sold for a long time are sold to us. So, practically, the stuff is new," said Marbun, who sells mostly shoes at his stall.
"I also often look around for stuff. Or sometimes I purchase things from individuals who come here," he said, pointing to a collection of men shoes, guitars and various types of rackets.
The shoes at Marbun's stall are priced from Rp 20,000 to Rp 125,000, while the guitars go from Rp 100,000 to over Rp 400,000.
With such prices it's no wonder that people, especially those from the lower income brackets, go to flea markets instead of department stores.
A housewife named Ida and her son were seen looking for shoes. She said she went to flea markets to find items for her children, adding that the quality of the goods at flea markets was satisfactory.
"But the main reason, of course, is because it's cheap," she told the Post.
Marbun worked for the Oil and Gas Institute before being fired when the economic crisis hit the country. He said he opened a stall at a flea market in Taman Puring park in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, some three years ago.
When the South Jakarta mayoralty decided to evict vendors from the park, Marbun, along with the other vendors, moved to the Kebayoran Lama flea market, opening his stall here on April 5 last year.
Many vendors have complained that there are few customers at this new location. And compared to Taman Puring, the Kebayoran Lama market is indeed difficult to reach.
If you come in your own vehicle, finding a parking space is a chore. And with public transportation, you have to go through the traffic jam in front of the market and then walk 500 meters or so.
"Now I only earn some Rp 50,000 or less a day. I used to earn more than that in Puring," Marbun said.
Ginting said he had the same experience. Other vendors, however, said it made no difference whether they had their stalls in Taman Puring or Kebayoran Lama.
"Both are good. These days, though, there are few customers, but I don't think it's because of the place, but because of the crisis," said one vendor.(hdn)