Rain makes a sunny source of income for some

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."