Shopping...bargain hunting...SALE! SALE! SALE!

Philippines
September 16, 2008 9:20pm CST
I went out yesterday to go shopping at a local favorite bargain hunter's heaven...Divisoria. As it was the 15th of the month, but a Monday, it was surprisingly a good day to have gone shopping...not too much of a crowd. Don't you love to find those nifty shops where you get good merchandises at drop down (really 1/3 the price tag of big department stores at the malls) costs and still haggle a fairly good percent off. It's a shopper delight!!! As it is common sense that we pay extra precaution to our wallets against unscrupulous snatchers that may lurk amongst the crowd...the place still presents any avid bargain shopper a magnet that will somehow entice you back to shop again. Isn't it a relief to have a whole bunch of shopping bags in hand from the same amount of money spent that might have just given you a single item wrapped in branded paper bags? Are you a bargain hunter, sale shopper? To what ends of the earth places do you go to satisfy your haggling powers? What "prized" item have you bought from places like this that make all your friends/relatives so envious of you?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
17 Sep 08
My dear I've been to Divisoria once but I did not come back anymore.(I even opened a discussion here about that.) You are right there are lots of bargains almost one third of the tag price of big department store but I felt so confused with the place. The Divisoria Mall is full of so many items at cheap prices but unlike in the Deparment store where the items are arranged and sorted, Divisoria mall is not. There are indeed lots of items but most of my time were wasted in finding the items I needed. Unlike in big department stores where you know where there is a specific place for items needed in your kitchen, bathroom, living room, bedroom. And one more, they have no convenient fitting room for clothes you want to buy. Indeed clothes are very cheap but most are of low quality although there are some which are not but their prices are almost the same as that of big Department stores. However, I saw materials for curtain which were really a big, big, bargain and good quality. And toys are really at big bargain prices. Maybe if you are used to going to that place and you get so acquainted already, you will find Divisoria a real good place for shopping. But for me who does not even know where to locate what I want, it is a big disaster.
@pehpot (4762)
• Philippines
17 Sep 08
Mommy Divi is a great place but yes it requires some mastery skills before you enjoy your trip there my sis and I is a frequent Divi shopper (when I only have two babies) I actually bought my nursery supplies there (like diaper clothes etc) you really have to find "suki" so you won't be at lost and you won't be fooled. The funny about that place is people are aware that they are fooled. Like my mom when she will go there she would buy some fruits, (fruits prices is a lot cheaper) and she would ask, how much is the price if the weight is rigth(tama sa kilo) Isn't that hilarious?
• Philippines
17 Sep 08
hi there friend... yes it does take some getting used to to find your way through the maze of aisle or pasillo. i found one trick after my first adventure in divisoria...especially at Divisoria mall...is to haggle your best at the first best thing you find that you want because to find your way back is a waste of time as most likely you'll get lost. while on the second trip i had know found the experience of remembering which pasillo i find things so next time i know where to go. but through the seasonal visits i do to divisoria it is amazing how one will find the darnest good thing where you least expect it. i hope you will try again...you might find it somehow satisfying when a thousand is worth much more than just one item. anyways i also do agree that mall shopping is a lot more relaxing, as my husband will agree 100%. happy mylotting...
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
17 Sep 08
Oh maybe I will try again but with somebody who knows the place very well if I have time. I'm a very impatient person. I don't want my time to get wasted. How much more my husband, certainly he will not like the place. And oh yes, they are cheating in their scales. Ha!ha!ha! They can't fool me with that.
@mommyfied (243)
17 Sep 08
i don't go to Divisoria often because i find the things that i need at Quiapo already. lol! Divi is indeed a haven for bargain hunters. you have to do a little research first before going because every street specializes in a certain product, like there's a street full of wedding giveaways and suppliers that may customize your needs. i, for one, don't really know every nook and cranny of Divi but i enjoy going there. under the Divisoria Mall is a heaven for party planning moms. if you wish for decent changing rooms, buy from the nice shops at the top floor of the 168 Mall. i got a pair of jeans there for only 150 pesos and add 10 pesos, they will cut off and tailor it to fit you while you wait. a pair of bra outside 168 costs 50 pesos and i saw the same kind inside the mall for 120. it's really fun to go shopping there. i can't wait to go there again. it is so true that the prices there are so cheap compared to the department stores. but if you are not a fun shopper, don't go there.
@pehpot (4762)
• Philippines
17 Sep 08
Your description made me miss Divi more, I am a frequent shopper there but now I gave birth to my baby (the one in my avatar) and I could no longer go there. The last time I went there was 2 days before I gave birth, now my son is 4 months old, so there 4 months of missing Divi. but this November I might go because I am in need of a barong for my first born, and I am dying to go back to this toy store in Tutuban Mall. Also a haven for party planner mom is Anding's, right in the street where you find wedding give aways, they have everything and it is not as crowded as the one under Divi Mall. Christmas ornaments there are cheap too.
• Philippines
17 Sep 08
hi mommyfied and pehpot... yes a divi fan for bargain hunters we all are...fun is in the haggling too. it's amazing how an item that they pronounce to cost at 380 can go so low as 200...but of course one always should be wary of its quality. the weapons that one should always arm oneself with is look for the quality and haggle to your heart's content for its fair price. happy shopping at divi to both of you but always be cautious of your wallets... happy mylotting...
@pehpot (4762)
• Philippines
17 Sep 08
The tigger costume I bought in a very cheap price - My kid on the left was wearing a tigger costume from a bargain place.
Oh Divisoria is love! I really can't wait to be back there. and it is true that prices can go super low, there is this one tigger costume that I saw in the street vendor and it is priced 200 but when i saw it in Tutuban Mall, the price is 380
• Philippines
29 Oct 08
Well 'tis the season once again now and I'm sure you are scheduled to visit Divisoria once again. It would be wise to be very cautious of snatchers nowadays...hard times bring them scoundrels out. Happy shopping and happy mylotting...