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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013
SHOPPING
‘Shoppers are crazy about fairly used clothes’ These days, second hand items (Okrika) are found almost on every street of Lagos. They are displayed even in boutiques and commercial stores. They are referred to as ‘bend-down select’ and bend-down boutique. TONIA ‘DIYAN writes.
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VER the years, new clothes have become expensive. As a result, many workers and other individuals now go to second-hand clothing markets where they source their wears at cheaper prices, thus leading to a boost in the sale of such clothings. In the past, second-hand clothes were synonymous with poverty; the energetic and optimistic middle class bought their new ready-made clothes from high brow markets or large retail stores. But, today, the downward twist in the Nigerian economy, since the early 1990s, has led to a practical alteration of spending and consumption trend, especially among the working class. The sale of second-hand clothes is now a very lucrative business, as many has deserted boutiques which sell new clothes because of the costs. Second-hand clothes can be sourced from virtually every place in Lagos and other towns. According to traders, the business is very profitable and enjoyable. “There is money in Okrika business,” said Mr Francis Okonkwo, who has been in the business for 12 years. “I make a lot from it. The business does not require an enormous capital to start; you can start picking from traders that open bales, depending on the start-up capital you have or how much you can deposit; the balance is paid after sales,” he said. There are people who cannot do without fairly used clothes, as well as those who would never want to have anything to do with it. It is a matter of choice. However, second hand clothes are more popular with most Nigerians and have continued to boom inspite of the challenges faced by the traders. Mr Okonkwo explained that the items are brought into the country from Benin Republic. “We go to Coutonou to buy these items. Usually, Tuesdays and Thursdays are market days in Coutonou. On these days, we are sure of getting new arrivals. There is the first grade Okrika which could pass for new ones, that is why some influential people also patronize us”. Another trader, Mrs Nwanfor Kalu said as an okirika trader, the newer and finer your goods are the more money you are going to make, because people prefer to buy those
• Second hand section that could pass for new. “You know, in this Okrika business you must understand that Okrika pass Okrika.” He said. Second hand items that could be gotten for as low as N200 or N250 now go for N600 to N1000, yet people still go for them as if they are going out of fashion. As lucrative as the business is to traders who practice it, importation and sale is a risky one in which you gain all or lose all said Mr Poly Maduka, also an okirika trader. “It is not easy at all getting our market into the country. After buying so much, you have custom officers to contend with. For every stop we make at any checkpoint, we pay huge amounts of money so that our goods will not be seized. At the end of the day, you realize you paid almost as much as you used in buying to get your goods home”. He lamented. Second hand clothes have continued to find their ways into the ever-growing bend-down boutiques. According to Okirika traders, these clothes are smuggled into the country through the Nigeria-Benin border.
• Second hand clothes
Fans come in various sizes, brands and prices. There are also different types for different places. There are wall, ceiling and standing fans, writes TAIBAT IDOWU
Tips on buying fans
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ANS are simple interior appliances used to create a cooling effect in the summer. In Nigeria, fans are used more during the dry season or when the weather is hot. Are you the type who has been worried over the choice of fan? You need not worry again. Fans are of three types. There are some meant for the ceiling, and there are the standing ones. The third is the wall fan. Brands like O.R.L has various products with different prices. Its Giant 60 costs N4000; Deluxe, N3,500; Max, around N3000; Executive and Zurge go for N3,500; Mega, N4,800; Golden, N3,800. They come in white and brown colours. STC also has different products. Its Super goes for N3000; Super Power, N2, 800; and President (N3, 800). SMC has model KL which costs N5, 800; and model KN which stands at N8000. This pair happens to be the oldest. They are from Asia. Usher ceiling fan has white and brown colours. The former goes for N6, 800; and the latter, N7000. The Binatone brand has brown, white, cream, and chocolate colours. Each has three or four blades depending on the taste of a potential buyer. The threeblade type costs N3, 500, four blade, N4, 800. The standing fan comes in 16 and 18 inches. Standing fans of 16” come in plastic blade, the 18” iron blade. This rule doesn’t
apply to certain brands like Fanafrik which produces both inches in iron blades. Fanafrik also has a model for recognition of the inches such as S.O. 6 which is its highest model. It is an 18 inch fan valued at N5, 500. Model S.O.7 16 inch costs N4000. Century produces both inches but makes the former with iron blades put at N4, 800, while the 16 inch made in plastic blade costs N3,300. STC has only 18 inches at N4000. , ditto for Jumyrich but with an additional N500 raise. Astros is also in the same bracket with its price put at N3, 300. Like the standing fan, wall fans equally come in 16 and 18 inches, but the latter seems to enjoy more patronage than the former. Century has 16 inches fans which cost N3,600 and N4,500 respectively. Others like TMT, have only the 16 inch valued at TMT N5, 800. Evernal, Occenic, and Super Master have 16 inch each which goes for N3, 500, N3, 000, and N3, 500 respectively. For prospective buyers, the aforementioned fans can be obtained from makeshift stalls in areas such as Adebayo Onipanu Bus/stop, Elpina Creek Road, Apapa; Yaya Abatan street, Ijaye Road, Ogba; and Alaba International Market, Ojo;. Other places are: 38, Adedeji Street, Itire, along Ijesha Road; 126/130, Lawanson Road, Itire, Surulere; and 126, Isolo Road, Mushin, among many others. Perhaps individual tastes might differ; buyers must take into cognizance certain factors.
Your ceiling height: Knowing the ceiling height where your new ceiling fan will be installed will determine whether you choose a hugger ceiling fan or the variety with a down rod. National Electric Code (NEC) requires that fan blades should not hang lower than seven feet from the floor. For ceiling heights less than 7’63 , a hugger or a regular ceiling fan with a low ceiling adapter, might be preferable. Sloped or angled ceiling: A hugger ceiling fan is not ideal for a slope ceiling. Ceiling fan blades should always be in the horizontal position where gravity finds them,
else, the fan motor will incur too much strain and eventually burnt out. A sloped ceiling adapter will enable the ceiling fan to hang from 29 degrees to 52 degrees. Determine blade span based on room size: Ceiling fans come in different blade span sizes. Knowing the estimated blade span size will greatly narrow your search when it is time you want the right ceiling fan. Below should give you a good idea of what ceiling fan blade span you will need based on the square footage of your room. Square Footage and Room Length x Room Width: 16 – 40 sq. feet = 243 to 323 blade span40 – 75 sq. feet = 343 to 403 blade span; 75 – 100 sq. feet = 403 to 423 blade span; 100 – 140 sq. feet = 423 to 483 blade span, 140 – 200 sq. feet = 483 to 523 blade span.