Secondhand Markets an Experience: Jakarta, West Java

Flea markets still have a place in many Jakartan’s hearts, offering goods that just can not be found in more modern shops. One example is the flea market on Jl. Surabaya in Central Jakarta. The market was established about 40 years ago, and once sold used items like clothes and electronics.

But these days it is also a place for people who like antiques, affordable luggage and old records from local and international artists.

“Many people who collect phonograph records come here because they can’t find them in music stores anymore,” said Aji, a seller at the market.

He said the price of the records varied from Rp 35,000 to Rp 50,000.

“The Beatles is the most expensive western band, and The Rollies is the most expensive Indonesian band,” he said.

Aji’s store also sells cassettes, CDs and turntables, which range in price from Rp 500,000 to Rp 2 million, depending on their condition.

“We give the buyers a lifetime guarantee for the turntables they buy here,” he said.

Besides record stalls, Jl. Surabaya is also a treat for antique lovers. From wooden masks to leather puppets, ceramics to brass goods, a wide range of antiques can be found on the street.

According to Naro, one of the sellers, many foreign tourists came to the area in the mid 1990s. But these days most of his buyers are locals, with only a sprinkling of foreigners.

“My foreign customers are only the staff from embassies and hotels,” he said.

The busiest days at the market are Saturday and Sunday, while weekdays are usually slow for business. However, many stall owners said that they could earn enough money to get by.

“I usually get Rp 2 million a month,” Naro said.

Another flea market can be found in Kebon Pala, East Jakarta.

Although the goods are not always in as good condition as those in Jl. Surabaya, the market is always crowded.

Edi, one of the sellers, said he bought a pair of unusable earphones for about Rp 3,000 from a man who needed money, which then he sold for Rp 5,000.

When asked why he would buy and sell a broken piece of electronic equipment, he replied, “Many people still want to buy these because it’s cheaper here and they can use them after fixing them a little bit.”

In front of Edi’s stall, Rosa, a buyer bargained over a fan propeller.

“I need to buy a propeller to fix my broken fan, and I can only get it cheap here.”

Another trader, Donny was selling a broken laptop.

“I bought this from a man who needed money,” he said, pointing at the laptop with Chinese characters on the keyboard.
“As long as it’s secondhand, I’ll buy it. I can always resell it.”

Source: Jakarta Post