The Implication of Ukay-Ukay Business

6:33 AM |

The surplus economics define ukay-ukay businesses here in the Philippines which are characterized by selling items that are considered to be trash for the supplier. Does that mean that the Philippines is the ultimate catchall for all the trashes of the people abroad? What does it imply on our socioeconomic status as a country?

The ultimate sources of ukay-ukay items here in the Philippines are the countries with many seasonal changes such as the United States. The US for example has four seasons namely winter, fall, summer and autumn. Each season has a different climate, therefore requiring the citizens to dress accordingly to be able to survive. With the changing season as well as the changing trends, the citizens in countries are prompted to replace their clothes and buy new ones. That is why they give their clothes to charity or sell it to big second hand retailers situated abroad.

Items that enter the Philippine market are really not meant to be retailed or commercially sold. These items are supposedly headed to orphanage, home for the aged and other charity houses; these items are supposed to be used by the less fortunate. But why are they here? Are we the less fortunate who cannot really afford to clothe ourselves that we really seek for their trashes? Definitely not; we are trash bins full of their clutter, taking advantage of their waste and making them as a livelihood.

Ukay-ukay business simply implies that Filipinos are people who benefit for the trashes of others. They make use of other’s junk to earn money; they take what should be for the less fortunate people just to ensure their wealth. This simply means that Filipinos are people who are greedy persons without a soft spot in their hearts. All they want to think of is to make money even though it means taking advantage of somebody or taking somebody’s possession. Filipinos are bound by this principle- that the world revolves around money, that making money is the central purpose why they exist.

On the one hand, Filipinos’ patronage to ukay-ukay items also have positive implications. Choosing ukay-ukay items over expensive brand new ones suggests that Filipinos have the qualities of a wise consumer. This also implies that Filipinos value money so much that they do not make hasty decisions on buying or choosing the product that is right for their budget at the same time, for their preference.


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How To Disinfect Ukay-Ukay Shoes

6:32 AM |

Ukay-ukay shoes are items that can be inhabited by bacteria and other viruses that cause athlete’s foot and other foot diseases. It is about time for us to know how to disinfect ukay-ukay shoes properly and effectively.

Take out the insole of the shoe and replace it with another one with exactly the same shape and form with the shoes. You can buy them at a very low price in any shoe making store or any department store nationwide. You have to replace the insole since it is the dirtiest part of the shoe; about seventy percent of the bacteria are found in the insoles. In case the insole is attached and by no means can it be removed; get a piece of cloth, damp it with water and antibacterial detergent and place it inside the shoe right above the insoles.

After taking out the insole, place the pair of shoes under the heat of the sun for about three to four hours. Make sure to place them between 11 am to 3 pm when the sun is at its hottest temperature. This will ensure you that the bacteria dwelling will be annihilated by the sun’s disinfecting rays. But, you have to make sure that it does not stay out longer than what is needed because the quality of the shoes might alter and the color might fade.


After placing the pair of shoes under the heat of the sun, take out a damp cloth with antibacterial detergent. I would suggest you to use Ariel with Safeguard, it really is an ultimate disinfectant. Then, wipe each shoe gently with the damp cloth. Make sure that only adequate amount of detergent is placed on the cloth so that it would not damage the quality and appearance of the shoe. Never leave out a spot in the shoe to make sure that all bacteria present are killed. Place it under the heat of the sun again for only thirty minutes to make sure that the pair of shoes still maintains its vibrant color.

Place silica gels inside the shoes. Put a minumum of three packets per shoe and a maximum of five. Leave it out there until you use the shoes and put them back once you have done using the shoes. Silica gels prevent odor formation and prevents the mutation and formation of bacteria. 

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Confession of an Ukay-Ukay Addict: My Ultimate Item

6:17 AM |

I can get pass through all items on the ukay-ukay store but definitely not the shoes.

Ukay-ukay shoes are my ultimate items; they are the ones I look for first whenever I enter the ukay-ukay store. I have a knack of heading first to the rack full of shoes rather than heading first to the new arrivals section, which people normally do. I do not know why, but I really get so attached to ukay-ukay shoes. They’re just so unique in terms of their appearance, design and quality.

Shoes found in ukay-ukay stores cannot be found on any mall chains or department stores here in the country. They are one of a kind not only because they are made abroad, but also are designed to fit for their weather and for their topographical situation. That is why when winter is ending, ukay-ukay stores will start to display boots and knee high fur toe warmers on the new arrivals section. These items are rare to countries like the Philippines and are certainly a hit for them because it is unique and it catches the attention of others.

I own a one of a kind ukay-ukay pair of shoes which I really treasure the most. It is a three-inch semi boot heel with the characteristics of a rubber shoes. It is a hybrid type of shoes which I have not seen in any department store or mall chains that I have been through all my life. That is what I like most about ukay-ukay shoes; you are the only one who owns them since the item is a rarity. I simply do not have to think much and exert much effort to be unique, I just have to purchase one at the nearest ukay-ukay store and flaunt them with pride.

Ukay-ukay shoes also have drawbacks. One is that their quality is not as good as other ukay-ukay items since they are the ones who are used the most. Shoes in the ukay-ukay store arrive damaged already and are just put together with rugby or mighty bond, which make the quality poor. Most of them already have damage to their leathers and heels especially the ones with the good design because they are used much by their previous owner due to their appealing exterior. Second is that they can be a source of foot diseases such as foot odor, athlete’s foot, etc.  And third, ukay-ukay shoes are never fit for a Filipino’s foot since sizes are in US metric system, thus making it uncomfortable to use.

Shoes are important for us for without them, we might not be able to go to places we dream to be. Value your shoes as you value your life.


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The Art of Haggling

9:50 AM |

Who says ukay-ukay products can no longer be haggled? You might think that it is impossible to haggle ukay ukay items since they are retailed at relatively low prices. Surprisingly, ukay ukay items can be haggled only if you posses the skills of a master haggler, and I am going to teach you tips on how to be one.

Do not ever attempt to haggle items under the New Arrivals section because the saleslady or store owners would unlikely accept your offer. Avoid getting your hopes high by not considering items under New Arrivals section as subjects for haggling. New arrival items always come in expensive prices, well not as expensive as the original retail, but more expensive than what are usually found on ukay-ukay stores.

Photo Credit: cebusociologist.woordpress.com

Start haggling with the highest poossible amount, beg a P50 discount from the saleslady. If she refuses, try to ask again and say that you are out of budget and you are stil a student; trust me this trick works all the time. If she continues to refuse, then lower your offer to P30, sooner or later, she will accept your offer. But if she still does not accept the offer, open the topic on hoow you roughly survuve a week with your trivial allowance, indulge in a free flowing conversation and if you gain her trust, then surely you could get what you want. 

Photo credit: blog.chinatravel.net

Be modest and meek at all times. When you go to an ukay-ukay store, dress simply, do not wear jewelries and do not bring luxury items. The saleslady might think that you can afford to buy expensive things and she might overprice the items that you want to purchase. Keep a simple conversation in your own dialect, do not use any foreign language while talking to her. She might speculate that you come from a wealthy family, and a product of an international school; so, she might charge beyond the real price of the item.

If the tips above did not work for you, then might as well draw your best card. Find defects on the item that you consider purchasing. Find visible holes, stretches, garter defects, and other malfunctions that can be pointed out on that item. This will give you a valid reason why they should offer the item at a lower price and there is no way for them to refuse from giving you the discount you want.

Haggling is an art of negotiating between two parties with conflicting interest. To fill in the gap of conflict, one must give way for the other to succeed, but neither of them are losers nor winners. Haggling is never bad especially for people who want to save for something. But, bear in mind that too much of everything is dangerous. If you haggle too much, the store might run out of business and might lose a life they yearn for. 

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Confession of an Ukay Ukay Addict: I Can't Resist Shopping

8:44 AM |

 I have to resist, but I can not help myself from buying all those shining items filled with glaring gllitters.

The sound of shoppers hardly haggling appeal to me like an orchestra, the smell of chemical additives are as fragrant as poignant roses, and the cluttered ukay ukay store seems like a palace in my perspective. Ukay ukay stores are really unruly, they have this environment that are not fit for people who seek comfort, they are for people who dare to go to the wild. I am one of those people, those people who are ready to be eaten alive just to get something, those people who boldly face challenges in their lives. I am an ukay ukay addict and nothing, I reiterate, nothing could ever stop me from being one, not even my trivial allowance.

Everytime I am on an ukay ukay store, I cannot help myself but pick any random item and reach out for my wallet. My conscience never shows up whenever I am inside the ukay ukay store, I just shop like there is no tomorrow and like I never have to live with a very small allowance. There was one time when I entered an ukay ukay store with PhP 500 at hand, and when I stepped out of the store, I took a peek at my wallet and realized that I am left only with a fifty peso bill. The five hundred pesos was supposed to be my allowance for the whole week, but it turned out that I only have to survive the whole week with fifty pesos.

Ukay ukay stores just make me go gaga. It's like taking me to somewhere I have never been before, and that place is utopia where strawberry fields blossom, where chocolates grow anywhere. Whenever I enter an ukay ukay store, I start to forget all my troubles and all my cares, all I worry about is how to make a great deal and how to choose wisely. I forget my life in the outside world and live the life inside the ukay ukay store. I feel like I have been trapped inside a space where time freezes and happiness exist.

Ukay ukay shopping is my hobby. I never get pass through a week witout passing by an ukay ukay store amidst my busy college schedule. I always find time to unwind, release myself from all the stresses and escape from the hectic world of a college student. Ukay ukay shopping means everything to me since this is the only time when I am just me without anyone dictating me what to do and without anyone pressuring me for the things that I should not do.

I cannot help myself but shop in an ukay ukay store, even though I have nothing left in my pocket. I just wanted to be there all the time, to pick the items of my choice and to be just me. Maybe the reason why I am a shopping addict is that I want to go to that world where no one is dictating me what to do, where no one can exert their authority over me, where I can experience the real feeling of absolute freedom. Psychologically I have felt that ukay ukay shopping relieve my stresses, but I can never replace the comfort my family gives whenever I feel stressed. But the thing here is that I am away from my family right now, maybe that is why ukay ukay shopping makes me feel relaxed as of this point.

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What Not To Buy: Under Wears

6:15 AM |

There are certain items in the ukay ukay store that I really would not recommend to buy. Never in my life would I dream of buying those items except if I am faced in a life-and-death situation.  Also, in my four years of ukay ukay experience, I have not considered these items existing in an ukay ukay store. They are thorns to my rosy ukay ukay experience, they ruin my enthusiasm for ukay ukay products and they pound my head like hell whenever I see them lying around the ukay ukay store. The items that I am talking about here are under wears: panties and bras.


Under wears are personal things, they are your life’s counterpart; you can never imagine life without them. Given its significance, under wears truly are necessities in life; but personal things are always personal, you can never give them or share them to someone especially to a complete stranger. The importance of under wears is never a reason for people to buy them at the ukay ukay store because they are cheap. Even though bras and panties are expensive, one must spare that fair amount to buy his/ her own. 

The thing about second hand panties is that they have been to someone's private part before, the panties have been stained with the owner's blood. Bottomline, second hand panties are really dirty and wearing one would make you an unhygienic person. A person with a poor hygiene is vulnerable to diseases and infections that could lead to long term health effects that could eventually lead to death.

Second hand bras are also banned in my ukay-ukay shopping list although they are way cleaner than second hand panties. But the reason why I do not buy second hand bras is that they do not fit my size. Aside from that, there are second hand bras that are not thoroughly cleaned, I can see some dirt and sweat marks on it. 

Know what you are worth of, do not settle for less than what you deserve. You deserve to have clean and brand new personal belongings, you have the right to allocate your money properly to the things that are necessary for your living. I discourage you to buy second hand underwears. Buying them lowers your self-esteem and your personality development. Do not just be a wise consumer, act like one. 

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Health Hazards of Used Clothing

3:08 AM |

Second hand clothes are indeed a great deal for people who love fashion without sacrificing a lot of money. But, is it right to sacrifice health just to save money?


There are several health risks that were pointed out by different medical experts and the Department of Health per se. According to Dr. Dana Ruiz, ukay-ukay clothes may cause skin diseases, trigger allergies and Atopic Dermatitis. These skin infections are caused by either the dust mites that are found in the items, or the chemical additives that are used to preserve the fabric. Aside from skin infections, the bacteria brought by the dust mites and chemicals could also cause body odor.

Based on testimonies on some people, buying ukay-ukay shoes also have affected their bone structure and brought discomfort to their feet. Experts have pointed out that this is caused by the unmatched sizes of the previous owner's foot to the ukay-ukay buyer. Mismatched sizes often happen because the foot size of an average American woman is different from the foot size of an average Filipino woman. If the size of the shoes is not the contour of the person's feet, then normally, aching heel and sore toe occurs which could cause long term damage to the bone.

Ukay-ukay also may cause asthma and difficulty in breathing. According to some accounts of ukay ukay shoppers, they have experienced difficulty in breathing while they are at an ukay-ukay store. Experts say that this due to the response of our system's antibodies to the viruses present on the ukay-ukay items. Furthermore, experts pointed out the effect brought by chemical additives that are added onto the clothes and other products. These chemical additives prolong the shelf life of the ukay ukay items and preserve the quality of the items; if inhaled, these chemical additives may cause asthma and difficulty in breathing.

However, some ukay ukay store owners and retailers claim that they have disinfected their products long before they are displayed in their stores. Some say that their suppliers have already cleaned and disinfected it before it enters the Philippine market. Then again, we can never assure that they have really done such a thing since we did not see whether they have done it or not. But one thing is for sure- that ukay ukay products are hazardous to one's health if they have not been disinfected thoroughly.



Source: http://www.philstar.com/cebu-lifestyle/781349/health-hazards-caused-ukay-ukay-clothing

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