'Krismon' dampens expectations of seat belt sales boom

'Krismon' dampens expectations of seat belt sales boom

By Primastuti Handayani and Sugianto Tandra

JAKARTA (JP): An actual demand for seat belts? Yes, but
sellers say they don't expect a boom.

As usual these days, they blame it on krismon, the cliche
acronym for the monetary crisis.

"Many can't even get over sembako (basic essentials) problems,
so it's just obvious this business won't be much of a boom," said
Apo, a merchant in the Sawah Besar area in Central Jakarta, on
Thursday.

However, thanks to the recent aggressive campaigning on the
use of seat belts, sales could increase to five pairs per day, he
said.

His small shop called Indah Jaya is in one of the city's
busiest automobile accessory centers on Jl. Sukarjo Wiryopranoto,
Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta.

Several blocks away within the complex, mechanic Agus at Karya
Jaya shop -- who installs seat belts -- claimed that sales in the
complex could reach 75 pairs per day.

"Since the seat belt campaign started, sure there has been an
increase in sales. Some customers complain about the new rule,
but most say they can't do anything because a rule is a rule,"
Agus said.

Agus reflected on what some people's reactions to the seat
belt rule may be. Some people seem unawareness of the safety
aspect of the measure.

"It's good for me, I earn extra money," Agus said, adding that
people should not make too much fuss over the new regulation.
"It's just a formality, just fix yourself a cheap one, that will
do (to abide by the law)."

Agus says he earns between Rp 5,000 (5 U.S. cents) and Rp
10,000 per belt installment.

The price of a pair of seat belts, the sellers say, depends on
the type and brand.

In Sawah Besar, the price of a pair of nonretractable seat
belts ranges from Rp 75,000 (US$7.50) to Rp 90,000, while
retractable ones cost about Rp 400,000. When not in use, a
nonretractable belt is usually hung by a hook on the door frame.

Most seat belts available on the market are made in Taiwan and
Japan, while others are locally made, trader Apo said.

Apo recalled that once he met a customer who insisted on
paying Rp 60,000 for a pair, arguing that this was the price as
reported by a newspaper.

"I said, 'well why don't you just buy it from the newspaper
then?' So you see, you have to be careful in reporting this sort
of thing," he said.

Apo added that sellers might charge more, probably depending
on whether the belts were difficult to install in certain cars.

Apo told The Jakarta Post that he had sold five pairs before
noon: four nonretractable and one retractable pair, while he sold
even more the other day.

In another area known as an automobile accessories center, Jl.
Radio Dalam Raya in South Jakarta, a trader says prices are
basically the same.

Sam Suwardi, owner of a workshop and racing sports car dealer
named Sam Speed Motorsports said Thursday, "Many would take
advantage of the current opportunity and jack up the price, more
so in this (middle-class) area."

He says most of his customers buy retractable belts, which he
also sells for Rp 400,000 a pair.

"I could sell them for about Rp 600,000 and they wouldn't
complain. But that's not the point."

Since the promotion of seat belt use began, Sam says he has
had a significant increase in sales, about 40 percent, though he
would not call this a boom.

He has been able to sell up to 20 pairs a day since the
promotion began. He stocks both types of belts.

Sam claims he has informed his customers of the need for seat
belts in the interest of safety ever since he opened his workshop
three years ago.

He even plans make stickers promoting seat belts.

Sam's workshop also sells specialty seat belts designed for
race cars. One pair costs about Rp 2 million (US$200). He also
sells car seats for toddlers which have a similar price tag.

Sam showed a public service message he made three years ago
regarding seat belts for toddlers. It reads: "Because Your
Reaction Time Could Be 0.6 Seconds Too Long, Keep Your Child
Safe, In a Child's Seat".