–late-shopper finds out, much to her dismay

THE season of sharing, caring, giving and enjoying is here once again, and many Guyanese will be looking forward to what the late Burl Ives famously described as “A Holly Jolly Christmas.”
But heading into the new year, or post-Christmas season, might not be financially pleasing for people who fail to work with a budget and avoid the traditional “late shopping.”
An average Guyanese would say Christmas is not Christmas without persons bumping into each other, or stepping on someone’s shoe, as they try to manoeuvre their way through the packed stores on Regent Street just one week or even a few days before December 25.
Well at least, that was the view of Shondell, a shopper who spoke with the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday after she had concluded her Christmas shopping at a store on Robb Street.

She was one of the many shoppers who were making their way through heavily crowded stores to find the right gifts for their loved ones, or much-needed appliances for their homes.
And of course, business owners would never complain about a crowded store, because in a sense, that’s their opportunity to make a little more money than they usually do throughout the year.
There are, however, some cases where businesspeople utilise the opportunity to exploit shoppers with overpriced products and goods that would usually cost far less throughout the year.
But customary during the latter weeks of December, the prices for basic commodities and other items increase, costing consumers a lot more than it would on a regular basis.
Shondell’s shopping basket was testimony to the increase in the price for certain items that would have cost her less three weeks ago.

SCOUT AROUND
Like any smart shopper, she’d scouted around weeks before actually purchasing the items, but she didn’t budget for an increase in the prices of those items.
For instance, she bought a toy truck for $1,500, but had priced the same item at $800 when she was scouting.
In order to get the toy that might have been wanted by an eager child, Shondell had to pay $700 more, instead of having that money to purchase or do something else.
There were more items in her basket that might have had the same effect on her pocket, but she wasn’t too eager to know about the rest.
Like many other shoppers, despite the odds, she said without the hassle and late shopping, Christmas would not be fulfilling.

Shopping for household and gift items were not the only fulfilling things shoppers were looking for, since a main aspect of the festive season is a table filled with all types and kinds of tantalising delicacies.
A Guyanese house would not be “Christmasy” without the smell of pepperpot or garlic pork emanating from the kitchen.
The Guyana Chronicle took a walk through “Big Market,” otherwise known as the Stabroek Market, and Bourda Market to find the grandmothers and mothers who were shopping for ingredients to make Pepperpot.
The atmosphere in the markets was similar to that of Regent Street, but instead of just a crowded walkway, torrential rainfall left flooded paths which persons followed just to get their meat and cassareep to make a sumptuous meal.
But by the time the women of the family decided to buy their ingredients, the cost would have already been doubled or marginally increased.
For instance, an elderly woman explained that because she cooks for herself, during the year her Pepperpot would cost roughly $850. But because she chose to be a traditional Guyanese and shop a few days before the holiday, she had to pay close to $1,600 for her pot this year.

COW HEEL RAISE
Instead of saving $750, she had to pay $500 per pound of cow heel instead of $350, and $1000 for a bottle of cassareep instead of $500.
The woman said she was aware that the cost of the ingredients would rise, but she preferred to join the thousands of shoppers who storm the markets and stores just days before the holiday.
Proprietor of Pauline and Sons Meat Centre, Darren, told this publication that at the end of the year, prices tend to go up all around, because farmers and everybody capitalise on the opportunity.
“Yes, the price for everything does go up, but only by like $20 to $80. Things like beef and pork,” he said, “would cost like $400 per pound during the year, but around Christmas, it does raise to like $450.”
He pointed out that even the price of a basic breakfast item such as eggs would increase, because that commodity would be used when baking cakes and so forth. The price moved from the usual $700 per tray of eggs to $1200.
Although the businessman was glad for the business, he advised shoppers to get their things weeks before Christmas in order to avoid going over their budget.
Back in 2014, the local magazine, Guyana Premier ran an article relating how consumers can safeguard themselves against increased prices.
With the holiday season still ongoing, the article advised, persons can shop wisely by finding out about the product before they buy it; think about the facts of the product; visit or call three reputable stores or supermarkets to compare the prices of an item in order to get the best deal; think about what you are getting for your money; and check expiry dates and bar codes.
Remember to be safe and shop smart this Christmas. Merry Christmas to everyone.