Shopping on the Cheap
Walmart's in the U.S. has really mushroomed since I've been living here. I've only been in one of their stores once. I can understand their attraction. Most things are cheap. But there is no Walmart's here. There is no one large franchise with hundreds of stores dotting the landscape, filled with cheap, Chinese-produced goods. But there are hundreds of stores dotting the landscape and filled with cheap, Chinese-produced goods. These are the Chinese Bazaars. Each one independently owned by a family, with employees paid normal retail wages (unlike Walmart's, though still low).
El Corte Chino, Euro China, MerkAsia, these names and many more tell the shopper that here they can find almost anything they need for their home at a small price. Do you need a plastic box? A leash? A wrench? A notebook? Socks? You can even find small items of furniture, such as tables, folding chairs, hall tables, coat racks, free-standing cabinets, and shelves. The only thing they don't sell is food. I assume the rules and restrictions on selling food are more strict than on selling other things.
Some proprietors use subliminal marketing when naming their store. I've actually seen one called Smile House. Subliminal marketing with a sledgehammer. Come in and get a smile on your face. The truth is, when you enter one of these establishments you almost feel as if you could unearth treasure. Everything is arranged in colorful aisles, enticing you in. You enter looking for one item and exit with five. As you walk up and down the aisles you'll see things that might come in handy and would be a good idea to buy, just in case. Whenever you visit you should go with little money in your pocket or you'll probably leave with half the store.
I have fallen victim from time to time and now have some things I didn't need and probably never will. It's difficult to avoid the siren call of cute little knick-knacks or a cool summery t-shirt when all you really need is a notebook or a cutting board.
El Corte Chino, Euro China, MerkAsia, these names and many more tell the shopper that here they can find almost anything they need for their home at a small price. Do you need a plastic box? A leash? A wrench? A notebook? Socks? You can even find small items of furniture, such as tables, folding chairs, hall tables, coat racks, free-standing cabinets, and shelves. The only thing they don't sell is food. I assume the rules and restrictions on selling food are more strict than on selling other things.
Some proprietors use subliminal marketing when naming their store. I've actually seen one called Smile House. Subliminal marketing with a sledgehammer. Come in and get a smile on your face. The truth is, when you enter one of these establishments you almost feel as if you could unearth treasure. Everything is arranged in colorful aisles, enticing you in. You enter looking for one item and exit with five. As you walk up and down the aisles you'll see things that might come in handy and would be a good idea to buy, just in case. Whenever you visit you should go with little money in your pocket or you'll probably leave with half the store.
I have fallen victim from time to time and now have some things I didn't need and probably never will. It's difficult to avoid the siren call of cute little knick-knacks or a cool summery t-shirt when all you really need is a notebook or a cutting board.
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