Thread: Suppliers for electrical items, sofa beds

Opening a small resort this summer and coming from Europe where we were used to discounts when bulk purchasing. We are new to Bali buisiness and its suppliers. Any pointers please for buying electrical (t.v's, d.v.d's, fridges,etc) nice sofabeds etc etc etc, (we have the general furniture bit covered already).

Any good suppliers out there offering quanity discounts?

Originally Posted by crosskeyscottage

Opening a small resort this summer and coming from Europe where we were used to discounts when bulk purchasing. We are new to Bali buisiness and its suppliers. Any pointers please for buying electrical (t.v's, d.v.d's, fridges,etc) nice sofabeds etc etc etc, (we have the general furniture bit covered already).

Any good suppliers out there offering quanity discounts?

From my experience you need to first get a realistic price (say at Carrafour, Hypermarket-Galaria, Lotte Mart, which are in the Sunset Road/Bypass area of Bali) and then take a few days out to visit the electrical stores in Denpasar. The usual place for lowish prices has been Bali Electonic Centre, Jalan Teuku Umar, Denpasar, but there is a brand new place opposite, on the same road you should visit. Huge, 4 stories high, all glass, with (tiny) underground parking, which has some surprisingly low prices just at the moment. Most importantly, the staff in this new place are very helpful and willing to show you a range of goods. In Bali Electronic Centre, in my experience, staff are not in the bit interested.

As for furniture, you may find that you get better quality at the price you are willing to pay if you have it made, rather than the standard European way of buying what is displayed. Do not expect to get 'shop soiled' prices like Europe. You get what you see. It is 'buyer beware'. If you go to the tourist areas, expect to pay tourist prices...but also expect to see some amazing designs. Take a camera and tape measure. Photograph the furniture WITH the tape in view in case there is any question afterwards about what sizes were used. (inches and centimeters ARE different!).

We have friends that took photos of everything they wanted, got a price for each, then arranged for their Balinese staff to negoticate a better price, including delivery, and in the process got around 20% reduction in the prices they were originally quoted. The most difficult thing to find out is, in my opinion, what is the realist price should be. The other option it is to say, I will only spend RP X million on that item, then if you get the item for less, yippy! If the price is too high, walk away. If you are not asked back, then it may be time to revise your estimate. Don't rush. Treat the whole buying experience as part of the 'getting to know Bali'.

Good luck and I hope your venture is successful.
Barekarma

Thanks Barekarma for your good wishes and for the info.

Yes we have done the Carrefour trail and your tip about the electrical centre in Denpasar is valuable. Furniture is always a difficult one as it is 'what it's worth to the person standing there' and of course just as important its a matter of taste. One or two places haven't been so keen for us to take photos, but we are managing. Sofa beds, not rattan ones, or just blocks of foam seem to be a struggle. Maybe someone has ideas on day beds that can become night beds for one person! Stylish without costing a fortune would be good!

Good quality Thai silk is another one. Do they sell that in the market at Denpasar or anywhere else without costing a fortune? Finding a parking space around the market is a nightmare! Going to Thailand later this weekand running out of time to search but as quantities are not yet defined, we would prefer to buy it here in case we run out!

Hi Crosskeys
There is a shop selling foam (various sizes and thicknesses) next to Sanglah Market, Denpasar, on the Jalan Waturenggong (the short road part right by the Market). It's a one-way road! If in a car, I recommend parking car opposite Sanglah market on Jalan Diponegoro. There is a blue coated guy to help you park (Rp 2,000), and you walk from there.

Thai silk... there is the fake nylon stuff in the central market (they say it is real silk, but often it isn't!). I can suggest a material shop called 'Isidor', in Oberoi, where one of the owners (Chok) is Thai. I am sure that he would be able to source real thai silk for you.

Hope you have a good time in Thailand. Happy shopping.
Barekama

HI I found a place near the Airport on Jalan 1 Gusti that had everything I need to set up my house the name was Home and Hotel Depot had pretty much everything we needed