Posted by Geoff on Thursday, 15. October 1998 at 19:41 Bali Time:
As this didn't grab a comment as a follow up, and I love email chat, I stuck it in up here. Sorry the cut & paste seems to have stuffed up the spacing. Geoff.
I think you got the answers but I'll just add a bit.
The markets (esp Art Market near Kuta Central) are the cheapest places but XXL is
limited and you have to go through the bargaining bullshit to establish prices. That done
I used to pick up 4 or 5 items and simply put the money in their hand with a take it or
leave it. They hated doing things this way but it worked fine 90% of the time. Don't do
it in full view of other tourists though, they may knock you back because you are
stuffing up the next opportunity.
Absolutely try everthing on, the size labels are only a guide. I've got S shorts which are
bigger than XL from the same shop.
All the traders understand No 1 (original or best quality) and most were honest and said
'don't have'. Some will offer to have what you want the next day but never commit to a
price before you see it. For better quality and exact fit you need to visit the tailors
shops, much dearer than the markets but still very cheap. Always check stiching and
zippers carefully.
Oh, very important. NEVER let them take your goods to the back of the shop and put
them in a bag. There is a very real chance of it being swapped for a faulty garment. This
goes for everything. Keep hold of it and put it in the bag yourself. I saw one Jap lady
crying, she had ended up with an expensive wood carving with a big split in it.
If your brand new and want a pricing benchmark then go to a department store like
Mata Hari and check out goods, quality and prices. Expect the markets to be around
half.
One rumour I heard about Sanur shopping was that they have three colours of plastic
bags which let the next trader know how well you shop. A white bag - sucker, payed
top dollar. Black & white striped - made a good profit and black - bargained hard &
well. Anyone else heard about this.
If you want to buy a lot then I enquired about freighting home. In Kuta there was a
cargo forwarder who off a cubic meter box, max 250Kg, to Oz for Aus$175.
Best buys are probably leather, simple cotton ladies garments & T shirts.
Good Luck. Don't forget to take hawker repellant, dark glasses and ear plugs. My son
developed a horrible trick which really scared them off, he composed a brain damaged
face and made grunting noises, they left quickly.
Geoff.