Ukay-ukay shopping in the Philippines!!!
By moneygail4
@moneygail4 (77)
Philippines
September 22, 2009 5:09am CST
If you've not been here, you might be more familiar of the these terms: Bargain, yard/rummage/sale/tag/attic/junk sale, or whatever you call it. There are many ukay-ukay items commonly sold: piles and piles of used clothing are displayed in set-up tables, while assorted sandals and shoes, bags, belts, head bands, curtains and bed covers line up the sidewalks. Open stalls are abundant in public markets all over the Philippines and it's flocked by many of their suki(frequent buyers) depending on "new-arrival" schedules, usually on weekends.
Although there's another way of selling ukay-ukay: Surplus Shops - located in malls, Pinoys still love the thrill they get when they dig in the pile and find some treasured piece of blouse regardless of how hot the sun is, and how crowded the place is...Very affordable prices are offered and it's the cheapest way to purchase clothes. If you get lucky, you'd find designer items and purchase them for as low as 5 pesos (roughly $0.1)!For me, ukay-ukay help those who are in a tight budget to buy clothes and other wearable items. But with this, there's also a downside. To think they don't give receipts for the consumers, it would be unfair for those who abided by the law and obtained a permit to run their venture. Afterall, we Filipinos are the ones who will suffer if this sort of business wouldn't pay any amount of tax, right? I think they should regulate a law for this. How about you, what do you think?
4 responses
@xtedaxcvg (3189)
• Philippines
22 Sep 09
I think surplus shops in malls give out receipts for items they sell. I don't know about stalls in divisoria though, but I think most of the shops in malls issue receipts. This idea gives minimum wage earners a chance to wear decent and fashionable clothes. It also gives budget-conscious individuals options.
@moneygail4 (77)
• Philippines
22 Sep 09
Yes, they do issue receipts in malls. Do you like ukay-ukay shopping too? I find it really challenging coz you get to play "who gets that item first"... hehehe... sometimes they try to grab the ones i already picked. and so i grab it back. hahaha... a lot of unique items are there, too. some of them are even better in quality and design than those sold in malls...(^_^)
@moneymakingtoday (4061)
• Philippines
22 Sep 09
i enjoy rummaging into piles and piles of used clothing (they are being cleaned before selling) in the province. i always congratulate myself after finding a good piece of blouse and "new" pair of pants. all these in exchange for a very small cost of money. sometimes my P100.00 (about $2.06) would give me 10 pieces of clothing and that is very very good enough.
i do rummaging in the city, too, but i do it discreetly in stores that do this. there are a lot of others which sell in the public market and in the sidewalks nearby. i buy from these piles in the sidewalk only when i am dressed casually as it looks odd and funny for someone in an office attire with make-up on and high heels to do that 
.
i think there is a minimal tax being charged to those selling in the sidewalk here in our city. other cities may not be levying taxes as city ordinances/rules differ among cities.
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i think there is a minimal tax being charged to those selling in the sidewalk here in our city. other cities may not be levying taxes as city ordinances/rules differ among cities.@moneygail4 (77)
• Philippines
22 Sep 09
I agree... the feeling that I spent my money wisely on good clothes is really accomplishing. Don't think that I'm an ukay addict, i also love shopping in malls... but 10 pieces for a hundred? wow!!! that's alot! *_* Hmmm... but i want to go there, they sell it cheaper than ours. I normally bring P200 and have it in P20 bills para makatawad and to show the tenant that i only have ample money. *_* but usually i bring home 4-6 pieces...
@involved62 (790)
•
22 Sep 09
I agree as well, taxes should be paid where they are due. But, I wonder how this is controlled. The surplus shops which are like in a fixed place (but warehouse types) I guess pay rent. How are they taxed? The ones who are selling on the street or in stalls also pay rent. On the other hand, these are second-hand items and to my opinion should not be taxed. Do you need a guarantee for second-hand clothes? When they are brand new, they are taxed. What do you think?
@moneygail4 (77)
• Philippines
22 Sep 09
it's good to know there are regulations set in your area... in our country, they usually set up their tables in the streets so i guess they do not have to pay, unless they've put up a stall in a vacant building or something... and yes, you have a point there... second-hand items shouldn't be taxed. or should they be? i also wonder... if people would be buying these, what would be the impact to the clothing industry? i mean, let's face it, we save a lot more if we purchase them compared to brand new items... ?????(-_-)?????
@ralphs (209)
• Philippines
9 Dec 11
Filipinos are enjoying to buy cheap things like dress, shoes, accessories, so anywhere in the Philippines particularly manila have the ukay-ukay thing and pirated cds that's what you called "only in the Philippines", and there is no wrong in buying in the ukay-ukay make sure you wash the clothes perfectly because some clothes have a virus, be careful.
