Rain makes a sunny source of income for some

By Stevie Emilia

JAKARTA (JP): "Come over, take a look, this umbrella is very strong... it will protect you from La Nina," the vendor cried, displaying his merchandise in Blok M shopping area, South Jakarta.

He must have been exaggerating as no umbrella is strong enough to stave off La Nina. But at least it can protect you from the rain. Karim's "different" promotional style attracted people to his stall: a wooden table laden with umbrellas of various colors and sizes.

"Come on, try this umbrella yourself... it won't break down even in a very heavy downpour," he cajoled a prospective customer.

A fold-up umbrella, compact enough for a handbag, was on sale for Rp 20,000; a long umbrella was for Rp 15,000. But those who love to bargain can walk away with one can knock the price down by at least Rp 2,500.

While the majority of Jakartans associate downpours with floods and thus regard the season apprehensively, Karim welcomed the season.

"Every year I wait for the rainy season. At this time of the year I always enjoy a profit," said Karim, who has been working as a vendor for nearly 10 years, mostly in Blok M.

He learned about the La Nina weather phenomenon from local papers.

"According to the paper, the rainy season this year will be prolonged due to La Nina. Don't ask for details, that's all I know... but for me, it means an increased daily income," said the elementary school graduate.

Karim purchases his merchandise at the Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta at bulk rates: Rp 100,000 for a dozen fold-up umbrellas and Rp 75,000 for the non fold-up variety.

With the rainy season in force, his sales tally can reach 10 umbrellas per day.

"Each day I return home with almost Rp 100,000 in profit," said the father of three proudly. "It means that I can send more money home," he added. His family are in Nganjuk, East Java.

But he can not sell umbrellas year-round. So when the rainy season ends, the vendor switches to clothes or toys. "However, I never equal the profits gained from selling umbrellas in the rainy season," Karim said.

Lucrative

Umar, a raincoat vendor in the same market, is also rewarded with lucrative business during the wet season.

He always dons his plastic raincoat when serving customers, who are mostly men. "Men usually prefer raincoats, while women like umbrellas," he said.

In comparison to the cost of umbrellas, Umar's raincoats are competitively priced. After bargaining, a customer could have one for Rp 12,500 - Rp 2,500 cheaper than the startup price.

"But most men don't like to bargain; they simply buy one because they need it," said Umar, who claims that he can sell up to 15 raincoats per day.

Sharing his business acumen secret, Umar said that he bought the raincoats from a dealer at a relatively low price: Rp 75,000 per dozen raincoats. "My profit? Work it out for yourself," laughed Umar.

During the rainy season, it is not only traders selling protective gear who profit, ojek payung (children who rent umbrellas) also enjoy success.

Wawan, a 12-year-old, operating outside Ciputra shopping mall, stopped selling newspapers and magazines last month and began renting umbrellas.

"People are increasingly reluctant to buy newspapers or magazines. Sometimes, I had to bring back home those that I could not sell because the suppliers would not take them back," Wawan said of his decision to change jobs.

Profits from selling newspapers or magazines were also slim. He said that he could only earn Rp 250 per journal.

"Now I gain at least Rp 500 each time someone rents my umbrella," said Wawan, adding that in a heavy downpour at least 10 people take advantage of his service.

A darkening sky is enough to send him rushing to the mall, equipped with his mother's umbrella, from their house in the Kali Anyar area, West Jakarta.

"I use the money mostly to buy myself food or toys," said the elementary school student shyly. His small body had almost disappeared under the big black umbrella he carried.

In his experience, women were his main customers.

"Women don't want to get wet in the rain... and they're generous. Sometimes they give me Rp 1,000 for walking them to the bus stop," Wawan said.

In a downpour, one is not only in need of protective covering but also warm drink and food.

That's one of the reasons why Rahmi's bakso stall in Bendungan Hilir market, offering meat balls served with noodles is always packed with customers during the rainy season.

Proudly, she said that there were times when the food sold out within four hours. "After lebaran (the Idul Fitri celebration), as soon as I reopened my stall, customers rushed in and everything was sold out," said the 43-year-old, a mother of three, who has been in business eight years.

After Idul Fitri, she increased the price of a bowl of bakso from Rp 500 to Rp 3,500, because of increased food prices, especially meat, the chief ingredient of her home-made meat balls.

Despite the price hike, her business is doing well. She does not need to bring unsold food back home as on slow days during the dry season.

"Now, even though I have doubled my stocks I still sell out," she said. "The rainy season is the best time for my business."