Never knew how mad it was till I got to buying one. The expensive (and good) ones cost slightly upwards of SGD200 if you know how to haggle and a lot more if you don't. Well, I don't like to haggle, and quite simply in part because I am bad at it (I feel bad -- worst mindset to have in haggling, and I don't understand the need to haggle over a few dollars or worse, a few cents!). This means that if I go for a good one, I would be coughing up around SGD300 for a one-time use bag.
Fortunately, to the rescue came a very nice and friendly uncle at one of the shops at that army supplies complex opposite Golden Mile. He spotted my lost self right away and drew me into his shop with his down-to-earth and casual demeanor. An act or not, I don't know but I'm inclined to think it was sincere.
He took the time to understand all my concerns (budget!), travel plans and personality type before showing me the 2 cheapest ones in the shop. Price tag = SGD98. Brands = Outgear and Polo Club. He also showed me Vaude but emphasized that I should not consider that simply because I am not a frequent backpacker and may never backpack again after this one time. He also spent a lot of time teaching me how to use a backpack and advising me on the accessories to buy or not to buy. All very sensible and frank stuff which made me inclined to buy from his little collection instead of wandering around to other more richly stocked stores.
Unfortunately, I decided against my initial gut feel (and better judgment) and bought the bigger Polo Club one. Regretted immediately 2 minutes into the cab ride home. After lamenting to everyone I spoke to that night, I decided to return to the shop today and either exchange for the other Outgear one or pay more for the Vaude. After all, if I can spend SGD100 on a pair of Super Class ferry tickets for each trip to Hong Kong or a piece of clothing without second thoughts, what's a couple of hundred dollars for a good backpack? It was, as Pegs and I concluded, a matter of how close the matter is to our hearts. So I was prepared to psych myself into thinking backpacks are very important and I should invest in a good one.
So, this morning, I cabbed to that complex again. The uncle was there, fortunately, and perfectly happy to exchange the Polo Club for the Outgear one for me. I wanted to see the Vaude again too and he took time to explain and let me try the various backpacks again. All through the process, he kept suggesting that I should just exchange for the Outgear and don't bother spending more on the Vaude. So, I listened to his advice and did only an exchange.
And I am very happy now. The Outgear backpack is in colours that I like (red and gray! versus dull blue and black for the Polo Club. And Polo Club of all things! Seriously, what was I thinking?!), and much lighter!
I suspect that I could have asked for a lower price for my purchase (he charged me SGD90; another uncle at another shop where I bought something else exclaimed: aiya, I would have charged you only 70 dollars -- but seriously, I kinda doubt it) but I just didn't have the heart to haggle after all the time and efforts he put into my one little purchase.
Anyway, lesson from this? Always listen to my initial gut feel! If I had, I would have saved the SGD28 cab fare to and from the complex this morning.
Labels: travel
i was searching online for backpacks when i came across your site - i came across the uncle too but didn't end up buying from him. i do think his shop is more expensive though.