Christmas shopping ideas (part3): Gifts hunting at 168 and Divisoria Mall
November 8, 2008 by eee
I went to Divisoria Mall(DM) and 168 yesterday for my annual Christmas corporate giveaways hunting. I arrived around 9am, and traffic was just starting to build up. Parking slots near 168 and Meisic Mall were taken up so I was forced to park along Sto. Cristo Street which is nearer to DM.
I haven't been to DM in years since I've always liked 168's newer and cleaner look. But yesterday, I went to DM first and there were few buyers inside. It was not as dark and old as I remembered and I was able to shop and scout for gift items without being pushed around. However, I was more familiar with the lay-out of shops in 168 so I decided to go to 168. Even at 11 am, 168 just had slightly more shoppers than DM. And it was definitely not as heavily congested like the previous years. According to one store owner, sales are also lower this year compared to previous years. Good for me! I was able to haggle for low, low, low prices!
Also bought lots of kiddie stuffs for Funny B like stickers, toys, cards, pens, etc. The "IN" characters these days are High School Musical 3, Hannah Montana, Bacugan, Marie, Hello Kitty, Tinkerbell, Golden Disney Princesses, etc. The stickers sell for P3 to P5, Bacugan toys at P20 to P40, pens for P10 to P20. Cellphone pouches and mini wallets are P20-P50. Pens, erasers, sharpeners go for P5 to P10.
As for the bags and wallets, the "copied" brands include Kipling, Le Sportsac, Juicy, Lacoste, Coach, Louis Vuitton, etc. The bags range from P100 to as high as P1,000 depending on the quality and size. The more expensive ones are called "class A" replicas. These class A replicas are almost same as the original design. Be sure to check the straps, zippers, lining, stitching, etc.
Some tips for shoppers planning to go to 168, Meisic, Tutuban or Meisic:
1. Wear light wear clothing, comfy shoes and try not to wear jewelry.
2. Canvas the prices first before buying and haggling. The discounts get bigger when you buy more.
3. Bring wet tissues or hand sanitizer.
4. Bring a lightweight bag that you can hold close to your body like a bodybag.
5. Eat around 11am so as to avoid the lunch hour rush.
6. Keep your cellphones or don't bring any flashy cellphones so as to avoid attracting snatcher's attention.
7. Be aware of people around you.
8. Keep your cash segregated and stashed away from pickpockets.
Have fun!
***168 update: the mall is jampacked this christmas season so be sure to go as early as 7am to avoid the crowd. the stalls are open now at 7am.
Previous posts:
http://financemanila.net/2008/11/great-christmas-gift-ideas-part-2-shopping-at-multiplycom/
http://financemanila.net/2008/10/great-christmas-gift-ideas-part-1/
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