Fireworks Traders Ready To Welcome Fortune

Fireworks traders ready to welcome New Year's Eve. (Wardhany Tsa Tsia / VOI)

JAKARTA - There was an unusual sight when we passed Jalan Basuki Rahmat, East Jakarta or headed to Gembrong Market. Along the sidewalk, there are so many fireworks sellers of various types and sizes peddling their wares.

VOI also had time to stop by the two different stalls selling fireworks. The first is Irai's (34) stall.

The man who lives in the Jatinegara area said that he deliberately joined in selling fireworks just before the New Year with the aim of increasing his income. It's just that, since opening his stall two days ago, he hasn't been flooded with buyers.

"It has only been open for two days and it is still quiet, at least two people can just buy it for fun," he said when we met him at his impromptu booth under the pedestrian bridge (JPO) Jalan Basuki Rahmat, East Jakarta, Saturday, December 28.

The fireworks he sells vary with a price range of IDR 70 thousand to IDR 200 thousand, depending on the explosion of the fireworks. "Prices vary. The cheapest is Rp. 70 thousand, one can use four fireworks. Eight bursts," said Irai.

Even though it is still not too crowded at this time, he is sure that during the new year's eve momentum he will be able to reap a lot of benefits. Moreover, reflecting on the previous year, he admitted that at the turn of 2018 to 2019, his merchandise at that time was being hunted by residents who wanted to feel the euphoria of the new year.

Not satisfied just visiting Irai's stall, we walked about 50 meters and met Topan. On a daily basis, Topan, who is also a resident of Jatinegara, sells toys in elementary schools (SD).

It's just that, because the school where he used to sell was on holiday, as was the custom in previous years, Topan was assisted by his wife and child to change his profession to become a fireworks trader. He has been doing this since 1995 and he was previously selling on the land which is now Bassura Mall.

Approaching this new year, Topan admitted that there were already several people who bought his wares, even though it was not so crowded. "Alhamdulillah, there are already (those who buy). If it's for eating, guarantee it. The most crowded will be on New Year's Eve," said Topan when talking with us.

Just like Irai, Topan also sells a variety of fireworks with prices ranging from IDR 15 thousand to the most expensive IDR 900 thousand. This 45-year-old man said, now his rivals are so many in selling firecrackers. So, he dared to take a variety of fireworks to attract the attention of customers.

"We dare to take the expensive ones because we know they will definitely sell. Moreover, I have been selling it for a long time, not seasonal, so I have regular customers," he said.

Typhoon told us he hoped to make a lot of profit. Because last year, with a capital of Rp. 8 million to give fireworks at the agent in Asemka Market, he could get a turnover of Rp. 13 million.

"Hopefully it will be crowded like 2018 to 2019. That's not bad for us. But we never got anything from the 2017 to 2018 new year. When there was a fireworks factory fire explosion, it didn't sell at all," said Topan.

These two traders also have a surefire way to avoid the rain which is the enemy of the fireworks they sell. If the weather starts to get cloudy, the two of them have to start getting ready to clean up their wares and cover their fireworks with plastic tarpaulin.

Because, if they get hit by water, Typhoon and Irai will certainly not be able to make a profit, but instead they will lose because their fireworks wares are damaged.

If you are interested in buying fireworks here, don't forget to haggle for the best price. Apart from selling fireworks, usually the traders also sell other New Year trinkets, such as trumpets whose prices range from IDR 20 thousand to IDR 30 thousand and colorful headbands that can make your year-end celebrations even more lively.