7 Tips To Survive An ‘Ukay-Ukay’ Shopping Experience

Proper hygiene aside, many find thrift shopping in the US so fab! However, when it comes to sorting through mounds of ‘ukay-ukay’ in our own havens like Carbon and Manalili, you’d rather be caught dead! Like a zit waiting to be popped, we seem to have an itching desire to find treasure amongst the so-called trash of others (whether we admit it or not). Here are some survival tips before you pop some tags!

1. Do Your Research.

Since ukay shopping has already become another socially-accepted haven for bargain hunters, sellers have wised up by learning the 101s of designer labels and elevating prices to almost ridiculous amounts for generic items. C’mon, P500 for a used skirt?? Just go to a real tiangge and you could probably find a new one that’s a lot cheaper. I used to get items from Tabo sa Banay for P70 at the most eight years ago. Now, what used to be P50 has gone up to P350-P500. So instead of going to the more popular and convenient sites around Mango Avenue and Metro Colon areas, try venturing into untapped locations you may find during your downtown jeepney (a local transportation ) ride.

2. Look Yagit–REALLY.

This is not the time to wear your designer duds that scream, “Hello, I wealthy!” And wearing your uniform is a bad idea if you plan to go shopping after a half-day class at school. The objective is to look like you are unfazed by the whole thrift shopping experience. When sellers see your eagerness to find bargain items, they know they can jack up prices on you and they won’t budge when you ask for a bigger discount.

3. Hands-Free.

We all like to be good with our hands, don’t we? Well, especially in times like these. Rummaging through racks or worse, piles of clothes can be exciting but a hassle if you’re carrying a shoulder bag. Opt for a messenger-type of bag instead, or a small pouch you can wear around your neck so you can have both hands free, hence double the fun!

4. Skirt The Situation.

Unless you’re in the US or Europe, most ukay-ukay stores don’t have decent dressing rooms. So be YOUR OWN dressing room! Wear comfy clothing like a long lounge-y dress, skirt, and sandals to fit bottoms underneath it easily. It may not be the most convenient way to fit items, compared to a dressing room, but we never said this was the mall, did we?

5. Carry Small Bills.

Sure you arrive looking broke, bored, and bummed, like you lack any sense of style or clothes to fill your so-called empty wardrobe. But how can you seal the deal when you pay with big bills–and expect change? Once you give your game plan away by paying with bigger bills, if you go back or shop for more, sellers will remember you as “the one who really can afford!”

6. Show No Emotion.

Women express all their emotions from top to toe. However, the moment you show an ounce of excitement over a certain item, say, a designer item priced at a mega steal, there’s almost no way you can get an additional discount on one or more items. Yes, it’s definitely hard to contain the excitement, but it’s a mind game, people! We highly suggest you hold in that wave of euphoria until Elvis has left the building.

7. That’s What Friends Are For.

If you feel a specific ukay store carries items that suit your taste, feel free to make friends with the tinderas so they can update you when the next batch of hand-me-downs arrive. That way, you can get first dibs!

The next time you finally decide to embark on the ukay experience, keep these tips handy and you just might find yourself digging for more! And patience is a virtue- oftentimes gold isn’t buried in a shallow hole.

Source: www.cosmo.ph