Tagalog 101: Divisoria Shopping

Welcome to Tagalog 101

On our latest post, we taught you how to say how much in Tagalog – Magkano?
We also learned how to count in Tagalog – isa,dalawa, tatlo, apat, lima,anim, pito, walo siyam, sampu.

Now, let’s learn more about shopping.
In my opinion, there is just one and only “shopping mecca” in the Philippines, it is Divisoria.
People shop here for wholesale buying, very cost friendly bags, shoes and clothing, costumes and party needs… It’s all there.

Just a friendly reminder to all of you who are planning to drop by in Divisoria…

1. Be alert!
2. Make sure that you’ve already listed down the things that you want to buy
3. Put your money strategically in your pockets, have your smaller bills ready
4. Don’t make it obvious to the sellers that you’re amazed with the things that you see, because they will notice you and they will approach you and offer you some items immediately. If you don’t like them, just say “hindi po, salamat” meaning “No, Thank you” Or just say “sorry, ayaw ko” meaning “Sorry, I don’t like”

Just to give you an idea, this is how crowded Divisoria looks like on a regular day. photo source: GMA Network

5. When you finally found the item, here’s what you should do: a. inspect the item first if it is in good condition b. look at the tag price if there’s none, then that’s the time you ask the seller.

6. Practice the art of “bargaining”
Here’s a situation:
I  saw a bag.
I liked it very much.
Listen how I bargain to the seller.

A: THE “NOT MUCH MONEY” TIP
Magkano ito kuya?
Bente pesos lang.
Pwedeng kinse na lang? Kinse lang ang pera ko eh.
O sige.
Okay thank you!

translation.
How much is this brother?
20 pesos only
Can I buy for 15 pesos. I only have fifteen pesos.
Okay
Okay, thank you!

B: THE “HOARDING” TIP 
Magkano ito kuya?
sampu isa
bili ako ng lima, bigay mo sa akin otso na lang isa,
o sige
Thank you!

translation:
How much is this brother?
10 pesos each
I will buy five, if you sell it to me for 8 pesos each
Okay
Alright, thank you!

C: “THE PRICE IS TOO HIGH” TIP

Magkano ito kuya?
Trenta
Ang mahal naman!
O sige bente singko na lang
Okay.
Okay.

translation:
How much is this brother?
30 pesos
That’s too high (or too pricey)
Okay, I will give it to you for twentyfive pesos
Okay
Okay

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shopkeeper image source: zshopkeeperoftheday.blogspot.com