But on Sunday, I went for the 'Biggest books sale of the year'! at MAEPS, Serdang. And it really was what it said, it was BIG. Unfortunately, I went on the last day so the crowd was as huge as the sale. Literally. They had cars lined up all the way from the carpark to the carpark entrance! Not only that, there were long long ques to actually get INSIDE the hall. Crazy, no? Funny thing is, my dad hates crowded places, dislikes reading and books and hates walking around carrying heavy stuff. He did that all in one day! So, just incase you're someone like my dad, here are a couple of tips I kinda randomly thought of to survive another book sale. Just cause I can look back and remember what the heck to do next year. And maybe for you if you're going too!
#1 MAKE A LIST.
The amount of books in the sale is so overwhelming. It was 90,000 square ft. hall plus you're surrounded by 75-95% off discounts on books! And if you really have a good eye and luck on your side, you'd probably find amazing books that look absolutely brand new! So make a list, keep track and don't lose yourself in there. But then again, how are you not going to lose yourself in an all RM8 stack?
#2 BRING YOUR OWN BAG/TROLLEY.
No doubt like any other book sale, they will always provide you with boxes to store your lot til you reach the cashier to pay for your loot. But if you're going to a big booksale (especially on your past day) bring your own bag. Or better yet a trolley.
It was so squashed up in there, I think I hit every person I passed on the back with my box. Not only that, I actually lost my sister in the crowd because of the box! (See what a box can do to you in a booksale? They break apart families. D: ) And as your loot gets bigger and you get weaker, your box gets heavier. All I wanted to do was be like,
'GET OUTTA MY WAY!' *runs along with trolley full of books*
Bring a big big IKEA bag the next time, seriously.
#3 BRING WATER.
Okay, I kinda find this a waste of energy carrying extra weight around, but its so heated up and so tiring trying to scan for books in the whole lot, the only thing I wanted to do while waiting for my mum to finish, was drink water. (But not too much, or you might end up going to the loo!) Staying hydrated is a good thing though, think about how much more energy you'll get after having a sip!
#4 DRESS COMFORTABLY.
You're not going to a mall nor are you walking down the runway of a chanel fashion show like Karl Lagerfeld. Wear something really comfortable. I would suggest you wear a simple T-shirt or a tank with a simple pair of 3/4's or shorts. Wear sneakers too! (I avoided many feet that day and trampled on many too.) And if you've got really long hair like me, bring a hairtie cause god knows how much you'd sweat or get irritated by your hair in there.
#5 KNOW YOUR GENRE.
You're not going to be scanning the whole entire hall for books right? Know the books that you read. What you like, what you don't so you dont have to bother covering (in this case) 90,000 square ft. of land to hunt down the books you want. They would be neatly placed and labelled in their very own specific corner. Then, you may raid the whole lot of tables.
#6 BE PREPARED FOR THE UNEXPECTED.
Okay, so I don't normally do it at sales, but I was so upset I couldn't find enough chicklit books that I did it. Keep your eyes peeled for boxes under tables. At sales like these, the workers and customers who let go of their buys often hide certain books or stashes in boxes under tables. And let me tell you, they will be in perfect condition, the perfect price and the perfect book you can find! (I found 2 of my books from boxes under the tables!) Sorry if someone out there is reading it and I took your stash. My bad.
#7 DON'T GET CARRIED AWAY.
Picture says it all. The word sales it self tempts a person to this degree where you just go out of control, lose your mind and not think straight. Plus with the uber cut-downs, who can resist? In my case, bring someone like my dad! Someone who dislikes being in crowded places, books, lines, carrying heavy loads around, etc. This person will bring you back to reality and would probably say things like, ' What are you nuts? Take so many books for what?' ' You got money for that many books?' ' Hurry up la, lets go'. Yes, snap you out of the 'sales trance' right back down to reality.
#8 BE PATIENT.
This time, I was pretty satisfied with the amount of counters they had. But sometimes during peak hours, the ques at the cashiers can be looooooong. And I mean long. So be patient to pay for you loot! Your time will come cause after all, the cashier has probably been waiting to go home way longer than you have!
#9 BRING YOUR MOMMA.
You think your mum is going to sit at home, wait for you on the sofa with a stack of cash for you liddis? Sorry la, but as a teenager, I shall drag along my mum. Why? Because 1. She LOVES books, and she'd probably spend more than me. 2. She understands the need to search and how valuable sales are now adays. (I feel so kiasu now) So you could probably convince your mum to come along like how my sister and I did, tell her about the book sale a week in advance and bug her til she says ' Lets go!'.
#10 WALK RIGHT OUT, NO DISTRACTIONS AND GO HOME.
Major sales would have--Major Sponsors. These sponsors would set up stalls and what nots after the cashier and lurk you into buying their merchandise, stocks, etc. But after a long hardcore search, all you gotta do is get out of there! Don't go berserk over the small things around you, remember, BOOK SALE.
I think thats it, the top 10 to make sure you have a good time at a booksale! So who's going next year now, ey? (;
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