For visitors to Bali, Kuta will probably be one of the first places you visit. No doubt you will wander through the narrow streets past endless shops selling the same stuff, with employees encouraging you to “just but one thing for good luck”.
These people seem to always be there, from morning to night every time I walk past and I wanted to learn a bit more about their situation.
Close to Internet Outpost is a shop staffed by Made from Tulamban in Karangasem. Its located across from Palm Garden Hotel and I know from walking past and chatting that on a typical day she might sell 1 or 2 items so I asked a few questions about her economy.
Nick: Made for people reading this how would you describe your goods? Made: Bags, lamps, wallet, small pictures.
Nick: Are you the owner or just staff here? Made: Just staff, my owner from Kuta.
Nick: How long have you worked here? Made: 3 years.
Nick: What hours do you work? Made: I open at 8.30am and close at 9pm.
Nick: How many days do you work? Made: 7 days.
Nick: What do you earn per month? Made: My salary 350,000rp ($42)
Nick: Do you get a commision? Made: Not per items but at end of day.
Nick: How much commission? Made: 2%
Nick: 2% that’s not much. Made: No it isn’t.
Nick: After the bombing business went down a lot and then began to come back. Compared to before the bombing how busy it is for you? Made: About 60%
Nick: What do you do different now as compared to before the bombing to get more customers? Made: Same, nothing to do, just give lower price.
Nick: Made can you give us an idea of your prices?: Made: Usual price or final price?
Nick: Not usual price or final price but medium price.
Small illustration pictures 35,000rp
Nike bag 70,000rp
Medium sized lamp shade 50,000rp
Bali flower bag 30,000rp
Big Bali flower bag 50,000rp
Black leather bag 80,000rp
Rattan and leather bag 150,000rp
Small brown leather bag 160,000rp
Black leather bag 200,000
Big black leather bag 350,000
Prices are very negotiable and get better when you have time to check out few places. Having some Indonesian words to throw in such as ‘mahal’ ( expensive) helps.
Made told me that bags with leather parts are more expensive than just plain rattan and that the type of leather is important, “hard leather cheaper, soft leather more expensive.”
Nick: Made can you tell me something about your shop? Made: Good bags and good prices.
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Tracey, you are a great supporter of Bali. Hope to get together with Gede sometime. I bet you can’t wait till he comes over.
Nick…..Can’t wait!!! I am going nut’s!!!!! We have decided if nothing has really happened with the visa by end Oct, he will come out here again on another 3 month tourist visa. To arrive on 22nd Nov, so for my good buddy DETLEF….. approx 93 more sleeps! My life is one long ABACUS!!!! But we are praying & keeping fingers crossed that he hears something before then. As it will be another airfare & application, everything costs money!!!
But Maddy turns 5 late Nov, then his 30th is in Dec, we have X-mas etc, Our Aust Wedding anniversary, New Years Eve, then Maddy starts school in Feb, so it would be awesome for him to be here for all of those important things! especially for Maddy starting school, as I will need a shoulder to cry on!!!! Nick, it would be great for you & Gede to catch up his home number is on the invitation…. do you have a new phone number???
Once again… Thanks for everything!!!!
nick,
What a refreshing bit of humor and insight. Curious about the business your doing? Do you see much of th Flea markets of Bali? I came across and actually scrtinized a PHD thesis for my own Master of Liberal Arts Degree. Written in German by an Indonesian By the name of Damsar it was a fascinating technical study of a Flea market in germany. The Author however had one brief anecdote of his own personal experience of growing up and the class perceptions of flea markets. It was done in 1998 and I woould really like to know what the flea markets are like in Bali. I am seriously considering doing a much larger piece on the culutural richness found in flea markets. Keep going Nick you are just beginning to tap the river. thanks
Orpheus Allison
Hey Nick,
That was great. It was good to give new comers an idea of prices, but also not to force down prices too far. As it is obvious those prices were already way cheaper than we’d pay in OZ! These people find it hard to make ends meet obviously we cannot help them all, but if an extra 5,000rp (AUS $1) is all they ask pay it, that is a meal to them & actually does make a difference!