Shopping experts at small
market: Georgie, Lisette & Victoria Cooper
Author’s biography:
they are three sisters managing pretaportobello.com, an online fashion shopping
website, where you can buy redesigned product while browsing net.
Georgie, Lisette &
Victoria Cooper, three sisters managing pretaportobello.com
‘Lisette: ‘If you want to get a good bargain, you have to
prepare psychology to forage for it. At Portobello fair, we came to a stand
selling vintage scarf, rummaged in a huge box, consider hundreds of scarves,
and then went away with only a Hermes scarf costing $3.20. Another time, we
went to a vintage store at Hull and spent hours searching so as to own a
leather Alaia skirt with $6.40. Such searching may waste time and strength and
be complex, but after chooing your expected item, you will feel it is worth
spending your strength finding.’
Victoria:
‘Market is not only a place for you to easily pick up vintage items, but it is
also an ideal place to search for unique items from designers with reasonable
price. There are many young designers or students graduating from fashion major
in wonderful stands. Due to new names and narrow capital, they are ready to
sell us something in bargain.’
Gerogie:
“You are better buying certain items at markets rather than on the high street,
because the quality is so much higher. Leather boots, bags and jackets are
perfect examples. The manufacturing of clothes was much better 30 years ago,
whereas now, clothes are more throwaway. I’ve got a leather satchel I picked up
years ago for $48 – I wear it to death, but it’s actually improved with age.”
Gerogie: ‘You
should buy things often used at markets in stead of big stores since product
quality here is much better. Some remarkable examples are leather boots,
handbag, or coat. The quality of clothes manufacturing 30 years ago were
usually much better than current fashion clothes which are easier to be
damaged. I used to buy a leather bag a few years ago with $48 and have used it
up to now. The more I use it, the more beautiful and better I feel it is.’
Cooper sisters’ small
tactics for buying good bargains
Make shopping list and schedule
‘Define
which market
and which time will be suitable for the item you need to buy. Camden
market sells a lot of jewelries, Brick Lane market has many young
designers’
stands, and Portobello market is famous for vintage goods.’
If you are on a trip, find to buy local typical products
‘Markets at Sydney sell kaftans and maxi-dresses with the nicest pattern, Florence market is famous
for leather products, and the South of France specializes in straw hats.’
Do not be too careful
‘If you feel like something, do not hesitate to
buy it. Do not be indecisive and promise to get back for buying because the
item you like will be sold at any time.’
Do not dread bargaining
‘Keep in mind that everyone wants to buy and sell in good
deal. If sellers do not prove to be unpleasant with your bargain, it means
they also want to sell the items. But be realistic, do not over-bargain since
this will annoy them and you will lose the chance to own your expected items.’
Always bring cash with you
‘Quite many stands
accept credit cards, but you will bargain easily when using cash. Check your
pocket carefully because some people wandering in the market can take it when
you pay no attention to it.’
Get accustomed to buying in bulk rather than in retail
‘If you buy more than one thing, the discount rate will
be higher. In other words, the more you buy, the more discounts you will get.
