'Nothing special in Jakarta Great Sale'

'Nothing special in Jakarta Great Sale'

The Jakarta Great Sale, which was launched by Governor Sutiyoso
almost a month ago, will conclude this Sunday. But many Jakartans
were not even aware of the one-month event, which was held in
celebration of the city's 475th anniversary. We asked some people
for their opinions on this issue:

Camelia, 28, an accountant who works at a company on Jl.
Rasuna Said, South Jakarta. She lives in Setiabudi, also South
Jakarta.

"I don't see any significant differences between the Jakarta
Great Sale and any other sales here, such as year-end sales or
mid-year sales. Some department stores offer 70 percent
discounts, of course, but the (sale) items are not that good.

It wouldn't be fair to compare the Jakarta Great Sale with
similar programs in Singapore or Malaysia, because the organizers
here don't yet have sufficient experience.

In fact, if they work harder, the Jakarta Great Sale could
attract local and foreign tourists to the city. But I don't think
this will happen in the near future. They must work really hard
to make it happen."

Sasono, 24, an employee at a private company on Jl. Panglima
Polim, South Jakarta. He lives in the Bintaro Jaya housing
complex in Tangerang regency, Banten province.

"Great Sale? No, I don't know about it. Which outlets are
offering great sales? I believe there are price discounts, but I
never buy things on sale because the discounts are never
significant.

For clothes, I usually buy 'export leftovers' in shopping
malls like Bintaro Plaza. I am not so interested in buying
discounted goods."

Hendro Ismoyojati, 29, an employee at a financial firm on Jl.
Sudirman, South Jakarta. He has lived in Cempaka Putih, Central
Jakarta, since 1997.

"Oh, I've just heard about that from you. I saw lots of
discounts being offered at many malls and shopping centers, but I
have not seen any difference from other sales. I thought it was
just part of the school vacation special packages.

Besides, I have not seen any eye-catching or big announcements
(from the malls) that the discounts are in celebration of
Jakarta's anniversary.

I have enjoyed the discounts anyway, because almost every
weekend my family goes to the mall to shop or just to walk
around. Last week, for instance, I bought a T-shirt and a shirt
that were on sale at the mall."

Gloria Artalina S., an employee at a private company on Jl.
Thamrin, Central Jakarta. She lives in Rawamangun, East Jakarta,
with her six brothers.

"Frankly speaking, the Jakarta Great Sale has not really
interested me. I don't know why, but it just seems to be so
boring and nothing really special. Besides, I am not addicted to
shopping.

Whether there is a sale or not, I only go shopping if I need
to buy something.

If I want something I don't have to wait for a sale. In my
opinion, it is the item that counts not the sale.

In general, I can see that people are fed up with all these
sales, especially in Greater Jakarta. So they don't attract
shoppers. Sale won't make any difference because the quality of
an item is more important than the price."

Emmy ST Margaretha, 45, an activist for the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan). She lives in
Kembangan, West Jakarta.

"I know the Jakarta Great Sale is held in conjunction with
Jakarta's 475th anniversary. This annual event is good and should
be continued.

I admit that I haven't bought anything this month during the
Great Sale. Besides, shopping is not my 'hobby'. I have to spend
my money on more important things.

Lots of my friends have made the best of the event to buy
things they needed. It was very helpful because they were able to
buy these things at discounted prices." --JP