Most Jakartans have a love and hate relationship with the ITC, or short for ‘International Trade Center’ the biggest network of malls, usually hosting a building of stores and stalls selling affordable products, ‘KW’ super (fake) branded fashion items, to pirated DVDs.
Nearly all area in Jabodetabek has its own ITC, from the legendary ITC Mangga Dua which has attracted bulk shoppers and resellers from neighboring countries, ITC Fatmawati in South Jakarta, to the gigantic electronic superstore ITC Roxy Mas in West Jakarta.
After you get past the traffic leading to all the malls, the annoying ‘boleh silakan’, and the shopping in Jakarta’s ITC or trade centers is an adventure in itself, and a way to great deals and cheap finds. Here is our tips for a shopping spree in Jakarta’s ITC:
1. Know your ITC
First, you need to know, which one you will go to; ITC Fatmawati is not too big but has a little bit of everything, with DVDs, clothes, handphones, accessories, some computer store, and some good reliable camera stores. ITC Mangga Dua is the oldest and one of the largest ITC with almost anything you can think of from fake bags, home décor, batik, souvenirs to wedding gowns. ITC Kuningan (Ambassador) is the most popular among expat due to its strategic location in Kuningan CBD, its reasonable size, better mix and selection of products (slightly more expensive than Mangga Dua), and with a hypermart in its ground floor. Although not really an ITC, Thamrin City is also a must due to its massive collection of batik stalls that offer batiks from all price range.
2. Compare the prices
Once you ask for an item’s price, you will wonder if they are giving you a ‘bule’ price or not. Whatever is the case, always compare the prices with one or two stores selling similar item, something not too hard to do since most of the stores in an area sell identical items.
3. Always haggle
Some of the cheaper items usually have more of a fixed prices (dvds, ITCs are the place where everyone’s haggling skills are put to the test; always ask for lower price, as much as 50% of their asking price. And no matter how much you want the item you’re haggling,
4. Be nonchalant about it
The oldest trick in the book is not to appear too interested: the shopkeeper knows when you want that pair of leggings so bad. Act like you don’t want it and walk away until the shopkeeper mentions the price you want.
5. Try the product
Sizes in Indonesia are a tricky thing. There’s no standard measurement for an S, M, or L, so always try on whatever clothing item you plan on getting. For electronics, most stores won’t let you try it until you’ve purchased it, but make sure you do. And keep the receipts and warranty (and the store’s location!) for at least a week you use the product for cautionary measures.
6. Be really, really careful of your belongings
Almost a cliché, but you can never be too careful around Jakarta. Bring a decent sized bag with zipper, preferably a sling bag so you can keep it in front of your body at all times.
7. Come really early and get ready to spend your whole day!
Especially if you can only go on weekends, get there just as the stores start to roll up their door, usually around 9.30. Getting there the earliest goes a long way; as you can actually get a parking spot, the mall less crowded, the sales girls are still chirpy (which in some cases can mean more ‘boleh silakans’). Most importantly, clear your schedule for the day as usually you will stay longer than planned and it takes a great deal of willpower to stay as short as you had planned. But do notice that some trade centers have an office-like working hours, meaning they are only open until 5 or 6 in the afternoon. (although obviously open during the weekends)
8. Try the food
Except for the one in ITC Mangga Dua (not recommended as 90% of them are incredibly pushy, literally pushing their menus to your face the minute you step into the food court), the food in ITC food court are a good way to sample good Indonesian and Indo-chinese food. Particularly in Ambassador where rows of food stall serving Madanonese food can be found. On weekdays, this is the place where office workers from neighboring building get their lunches too.
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