Stress-Free Back-to-School Shopping: Where to Get the Best Buys and Avoid the Crowds

Why Divisoria Isn’t For Everyone

During back to school season a lot of moms head to Divisoria for their shopping. However, Divisoria isn’t for everybody. Divisoria, known for being a bargain hunter's paradise offers the lowest prices for school supplies but puts you at a disadvantage when you have to survive the travel inconvenience, the heat, the multitude of shoppers, some poor quality items that don’t last the whole school year and the risk to bad elements like pickpockets and fake items. Saddest of all, you can't take the kids. Taking the kids along during this back-to-school season isn't only for fun, it's necessary. They need to try on shoes and uniforms and they need to choose which designs they like. This will not only create excitement, it will also lessen their fear of school, especially the younger ones. So, why not go for stress-free back-to-school shopping where you can still get the best buys and avoid the crowds?

If Divisoria is still on your agenda, read up on SP’s recommendation on what the best buys from Divisoria are.

Popular bookstores and department stores will surely be thickly populated this back-to-school season. Below are places I recommend for budget-friendly shopping for school needs without the crowd.

 

American Bazaar

This store offers imported items commonly used at home, consumer goods, home keeping wares, hardware tools, pet and party supplies and school items, all at P66 each. Some sets are big and can cost more than double their price at school supplies stores. School items at American Bazaar include pencil sets, erasers, flash cards, art supplies, paper items, office supplies, even other related school needs such as sandwich bags, hand sanitizers, aprons, calculators and socks. They also offer two-for-P66 items which sometimes includes glue sticks, notepads, stickers, projects and scrapbook items.

American Bazaar has branches in popular malls all over Metro Manila. There's one in Cash and Carry Makati, Waltermart Makati, Robinsons Otis Manila, MarketMarket Taguig and more.

 

Japan Home Center

This popular discount store is easy to find with branches in popular malls all around the Metro. They have nifty items for home, car, office and of course, school. I noticed that every time I visit, there is always something new on display. It's never boring to drop by any of its branches. I bought my little boy's Elmo sippy drink container from this store and he still happily uses it. It comes with a separate lunch box that's just as cute. Girls have fun too with Hello Kitty stainless cutlery, tinkerboxes and more. Some Japan Home Center branches have an Uncle Bills section where items are sold at P66 each. All items at Japan Home Center are at P88 with other "forever-on-sale" Daiso tagged items at P66. Some school items I found are bigger and of good quality, definitely more expensive if the same kind is bought from other stores. Disney, Hello Kitty and other character items are all original brands (no fakes). You can shop for home needs too. 

Buying from a school supplies stores this season may cost a bit more compared to open public markets but consumers get better value for their money. Items last longer and trade policies are complied with. Customers can return or exchange defective items and there are people who monitor quality and control suppliers before placing it on their shelves. Best of all, the kids can be free to choose designs they like and the place is secure. The last thing we want to happen is to lose our child in a public place.

In the next page are some bookstores I recommend for their fair prices, completeness of stocks, shopping ease and sparse crowd.

 

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These recommended branches of bookstores Merriam and Webster and National Book Store offer relatively cheaper school supplies, products at wholesale price and free delivery service minus the crowds.

 

Merriam and Webster Makati

Merriam and Webster (or M&W) is the locally licensed publisher of Merriam and Webster dictionaries, thus carrying its name. This store in Makati offers all items needed for school, offering top quality brands and affordable alternatives, giving customers freedom of choice. Quality plastic covers of thick grades and branded pencils with sturdy lead that lasts the whole school year can be found here. M&W also carries textbooks from their own publication and selected publishers, art supplies and cutie character knick-knacks all covered in one stop. I find many items in this store cheaper with composition notebooks as low as P8 each. M&W may not be the most popular school supplies store but with the same array of items, lower price and shorter check-out lines, school shopping is stress-free. What's more, they deliver for free within the vicinity for purchases of P1,000. Good news for those who can't carry home huge boards for projects or heavy loads of items for school opening. This recommended Merriam and Webster branch is located at Arnaiz corner Chino Roces Avenue Makati City.

Merriam and Webster Binondo

If you're already on the way to Divisoria and had a change of heart upon seeing a long queue to the car park that used to be Juan Luna St., go down Binondo instead. Near Binondo Church at Quintin Paredes St. is a little eskinita that's Carvajal street. In just a few steps you will discover this old store. Don't let the busy market entrance deceive you. Inside M&W Binondo is a huge store space with the widest range of items for all your school and office needs. It's like finding a hidden oasis in the middle of the chaos. Not only is it complete, items are more affordable than popular bookstores and they even sell wholesale and deliver. I found here affordable quality brands of art supplies that are produced locally. They have a wide selection of paper products that are light and affordable. Their staff members are also knowledgeable on items and brands carried. This branch is not only impressive in terms of completeness, it's definitely budget friendly. 

 

National Bookstore Otis

For those loyal to National Bookstore (NBS), head on to their branch at the ground floor of Robinsons Otis in Pandacan, Manila. Expect to find what you have in mind and expect no thick crowds either. NBS, the most popular bookstore in the country today with modern interiors and up-to-date items and designs that go with today's lifestyle, has earned the trust of shoppers of all ages. Your children will enjoy choosing their own school stuff here and then go malling afterwards. With their back-to-school promos, freebies and discounted item for a minimum purchase, shopping is fun. You even get a rebate when you use their environment-friendly "red" bag. They are not only helping the environment, they also help send kids to school. Donate a school set consisting of a notebook, a pencil and a sharpener for only P25. Drop this at their donation box. At NBS, good shopping experience comes with an opportunity to help the needy.

 

National Bookstore Bel Air

If you live or work in Makati, National Bookstore, Petron Square Bel-Air at Buendia corner Makati Avenue is an off-mall location that assures you of lesser crowds. This branch has two floors and ample parking space for customers. It caters more to corporate establishments in the district and offers business center services. Off-mall doesn't mean boring. After shopping, you can grab a bite, have lunch or coffee, even get a facial from shops and restaurants beside this branch while Dad gets the car checked.

For those who wish to go to the malls to shop for school needs but hate the crowds, instead of going to popular branches of your favorite department stores, consider the places in the next page.

 

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Deparment stores such as Robinsons Department Store and SM Hypermart are also great places to stock up on your child's school supplies with their branded items and customer service.

 

Robinsons Department Store Makati

At Robinsons Department Store (RDS), Waltermart Makati, you can find most items any department store has without the crowds of shoppers. All varieties of school items already displayed at the front welcoming back to school shoppers. Good quality home items and branded uniforms, school supplies, bags and shoes are priced fairly. With warm, accommodating clerks and a customer service counter, customers truly do come first. In fact, RDS team set out "satellite" stalls for school items within Waltermart Mall putting these items within the customer's easy reach. Rest assured that stores like this comply with DTI policy and items can be returned or exchanged. This privilege plus the comfort, good service and security are not found in open public markets. What's neat is that you can go for munchies or movies (or both) at the same mall after shopping for school.

 

SM Hypermart Makati

Conveniently located along Osmena Ave. near Buendia, SM Hypermart Makati is the most un-crowded, spacious, comfortable shopping experience of all the SMs I have ever been to, with free parking and short queues at the cashier. With a very huge store space, you will never find yourself bumping shoulders with other customers. The store retains its wide, peaceful atmosphere even during the busiest hours. School items are already found at the building's lobby making shopping more convenient for customers. Sales clerks are always cheerful. They offer uniforms, school shoes, rubber shoes and school supplies of brands found in any in department store with an "extra" like freebies with uniforms. Mom and Dad can extend shopping to groceries and home needs, even a salon visit and shopping for a pet without leaving the building. SM Hypermart also helps schools by accepting themed field trips and teaching children about nutrition by touring them around their Fresh section. In events like this, kids can even play "cashier.”

So, no need to get hassled this back-to-school season. You can avoid the crowds and still get budget school supplies. Try out any of these stress-free, convenient shopping havens and bring your kids along!

 

Try out Mommy Jazz's recommended discount stores, bookstores and department stores and share with us your shopping experience.

 

Find Mommy Jazz’s pics on http://picasaweb.google.com/jazerc/Back2school#

 

If Divisoria is for you, check out Divisoria Budget Finds for School Supplies. You might also want to read up on Tips on Planning Your Budget for Your Child's Tuition Fee and School Supplies.

 

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