Ukay-ukay Christmas

CEBU, Philippines - As we all know, Christmas is a season of treats - of treating loved ones and treating oneself. Among the working group, for instance, the extra income from the 13th month pay and bonus empowers everyone to splurge, a little at least. And why not? A little extra pleasure is certainly a good way to cap the year.

But the thing is, scrimping is already a national habit with Filipinos. The Philippines being a poor country, people want to stretch whatever money they have, even given the fact that money tends to come aplenty at this time.  In this regard, going ukay-ukay is in the mindset of many.

Ukay-ukay is a second-hand store that sells cast-off apparel, bags, shoes, fashion accessories and other items not normally found in the regular department stores. (Although some popular brands often have their hand-me-down counterparts at the ukay-ukay.) It is the Pinoy flea market of dry goods, mostly clothes and other fashion items.

Some attribute the term ukay-ukay to the Filipino word "hukay," meaning to dig. The Visayans claim it comes from their word "ukay," meaning to check things by turning them over. Still others call it "wagwagan," which means to shake off dirt.

Through the years, ukay-ukay has evolved into an industry by itself. And the store setup has improved much. While in the past the goods were simply put in heaps or piles that people had to dig deep into for nice finds, the items are now neatly arranged in racks, making it easier and more convenient for customers to have their picks.

Ukay-ukay shopping is some kind of a challenge, though. The moldy smell from the displayed stuff, the heat inside many of the stores, the crowd that tries to outdo one another in getting to the best items first - the situation can sometimes really get to you; it's, in a way, like being caught in a battlefield.

Thus, like being in an actual battle, you need good strategy to keep the "enemies" at bay as you go ahead to find the coveted treasures. Whether you are a first-time ukay-ukay warrior who had never been inside one before or a seasoned soldier who has been there several times already, there are ways to help you make the most of your ukay-ukay shopping experience.

1.Create a Game Plan.

Plan your route accordingly. Are you looking for dresses or pants? Shoes or bags? Ukay-ukay can be a maze. Knowing where to begin will keep you on               track and make the most of the time you spend at every shop.

2. Follow the crowd.

"Where there's smoke, there's fire." If people are lining up at a certain spot, there's most probably something of interest there. With an ukay-ukay shop, either the selection is good or the prices are a real give-away. It could also mean that the shop has "newly arrived" items.

3.Dig deep.

Don't just skim the surface. There are treasures buried deep in the pile; so dig to your heart's content.

4.Collect and collect and then select.

Yes, it's the motto of that jerk who broke your heart. Collect all the items you like, as you keep on digging. No, you don't have to buy all of your finds, but you need to keep them momentarily for you to choose from later. Then, go through your picks again - and you're ready to head to the cashier.

5. But wait - check everything again.

Okay, the items are mostly quite old and used. While there are - albeit rarely - brand new items now and then, finding them is like looking for a needle in a haystack. But among the second-hand items are pieces in really good condition. Just look out for stubborn stains that may never wash off, or tears that are quite difficult to mend.

6.Fit each piece if you have to.

Just like when buying at regular apparel stores, you may need to fit your finds at the ukay-ukay shop. There's usually a makeshift dressing room around, so try that dress on and check yourself in the mirror. If the thought makes you feel uncomfortable, just try rubbing alcohol or using wet wipes on yourself afterwards.

7.Set a budget.

Well, before you even make the first step into an ukay-ukay shop, first decide on how much to spend on your visit. Then try to limit yourself within the set amount. Good if you can also decide before beforehand the items you want to look for; and think of a reasonable amount you're willing to shell out, say, for that dress or bag although this is quite hard to adhere to when you are faced with an item you really like.

8.Haggle.

Figure out if the price is well justified by the quality of the item you like. Even if so, do not yield in yet. Haggle, ask for discount. For all you know, the shop attendants are just waiting for you to make "tawad" (request for a discount) - and are willing to give it.

(Reference: www.8list.ph)