{"id":8152,"date":"2018-04-13T18:36:22","date_gmt":"2018-04-13T10:36:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/?p=8152"},"modified":"2018-04-17T17:55:56","modified_gmt":"2018-04-17T09:55:56","slug":"expat-bargain-hunting-flea-market-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat.metroresidences.com\/sg\/explore\/expat-bargain-hunting-flea-market-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"Expat bargain hunting: Flea market edition"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-4-percent” column_padding_position=”all” background_color=”#fefeff” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”10px” top_margin=”-20%” width=”5\/6″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none”]
<\/div><\/div>[vc_custom_heading text=”Expat bargain hunting: Flea market edition” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1523613524755{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1523614393763{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]For the Singapore expat on a tight budget, you\u2019ll be pleasantly surprised to know that Singapore isn\u2019t just high fashion brands and consumer goods. If you need to save and getting an <\/span>affordable serviced apartment<\/span><\/a> isn’t enough, there are other ways you can save<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>In Singapore, there is a thriving flea market scene where you can uncover uncommon trinkets, hidden gems and preloved items. So here\u2019s how to haggle and bargain for the best deal at these flea markets. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Determine the mood.” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]
\"\"<\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1523614440893{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Some flea markets allow for bargaining and some are set in their prices. Usually, hipster flea markets shy away from bargaining. However, these are also places you can get one-of-a-kind objects for a steal. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”The art of bargaining.” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]
\"\"<\/div><\/div>[vc_custom_heading text=”Do your homework.
\n” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1523957840674{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]If you know what you plan to get, find out how much the product usually goes for, and that will give you a ballpark price range to work with when bargaining. Learn product information and features, this will come useful when doing the actual haggling. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Dress to unimpress.” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]
\"\"<\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1523614058548{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]If you\u2019re covered head to toe in Gucci to Louboutins, don\u2019t expect a vendor to believe you when you say you can\u2019t pay more than a certain price. In fact, some vendors will even subtly impose a price hike on customers they think are well-to-do.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Say hello.” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1523614089731{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Be polite, greet the seller and flash a smile – being courteous goes a long way. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Drop some knowledge bombs.” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1523957943555{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Impress the vendor with your knowledge of whatever you\u2019re buying and they won’t take you for a fool they can swindle. This is where the homework you\u2019ve done becomes useful. Point out flaws or nicks in the product you\u2019re interested in. Don\u2019t insult and keep a neutral tone – pointing these out gives justification to a lowered price. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Bundle your own deal. ” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]
\"\"<\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1523842249708{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Get a couple items or multiples of the same items for a bigger discount. Usually, vendors tend their booths for the whole day, so when they see an opportunity to get rid of a large chunk of their stock quickly, they take it. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Play it cool.” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1523614918695{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Don\u2019t be afraid to walk away – neither should you show eagerness to buy. All that enthusiasm translates to is that you can\u2019t leave without what you want to buy, and the seller will stay rigid in their offer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most of the time, flea market sellers already have a price tag on their goods. Offer them a price ridiculously too low, and they won’t take you for a serious buyer. However, always offer less than what you\u2019ve set out to pay – more often than not you\u2019ll be met with a counteroffer, and that middle ground price should fall around what you\u2019re willing to pay.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Show them the money. ” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1523615564337{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Take out a set amount of cash – this shows that it\u2019s all that you have and all you\u2019re willing to pay. And seeing the cash physically might tempt the vendor into just taking it.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Choice vs cheap.” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

\"\"<\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1523958914529{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]Being the early worm gets you the best pick of items at a flea market, but go late and you\u2019ll find tired vendors eager to part with whatever\u2019s left for the day so they can head home. <\/span><\/p>\n

Now that you\u2019ve been schooled in the art of bargaining, it\u2019s time to hit some flea markets! Do note that not all of these are bargain friendly, so keep an eye out for the ones that are. And for the ones that are not, enjoy the rare finds at affordable prices.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Luggage Market<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(<\/span>Adelphi) – Monthly
\nKatong Square Lifestyle & Vintage Market<\/span><\/a>\u00a0– Monthly
\n<\/span>China Square Central Flea Market<\/span><\/a>\u00a0– Every Sunday
\n<\/span>Woodlands Recreation Centre<\/span><\/a>\u00a0– Weekends and Public Holidays
\n<\/span>MAAD<\/a>\u00a0(Red Dot Design Museum) – Dates to be announced by the museum<\/p>\n

Fleawhere<\/a> is a great website to check out as they have got links and information to all upcoming flea markets in Singapore. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/6″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_widget_sidebar enable_sticky=”true” sidebar_id=”blog-sidebar”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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