In case you didn’t know, the Primer Group of Companies is currently holding the bodega sale to end all bodega sales. The Primer Bodega Sale 2016, the second leg since 2013, offers nearly 80% off on brands such as TUMI, Delsey Paris, Hedgren, Victorinox, Herschel, Flossy, Sledgers, FitFlops, Roxy, and more.

Photos by Marco Paulo Diala/Facebook

It’s no surprise people have been queuing up like crazy at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino since this morning. As of press time, Primer and Waterfront have temporarily closed off the event because the venue cannot accommodate the crowd (don’t worry! It’ll be open later at 3:00 p.m.).

Zee Lifestyle, Cebu’s premier lifestyle bible, was at the preview sale last night, and while that event was as exclusive as it could get, we were able to experience first-hand how insane things got.

Here’s our survival guide to the Primer Bodega Sale 2016, which runs until Sunday, August 28.

1. Bring company. You think getting that gorgeous Victorinox Spectra trolley for cheap was going to be easy? Heck, no. As soon as you get in, have someone line up right away, and then take turns going around the venue to shop. Don’t bother waiting for your friends who can’t decide which pair of Sledgers to get. Alternately, if you’re that fancy, just bring someone whose sole purpose is to queue at the cashier for you.
2. Wear comfortable shoes. There’s a lot of ground to cover, from the abundance of Delsey and TUMI luggage to the racks of activewear by Roxy and O’Neill, and from the endless selection of Flossy and FitFlops to the boxes of Herschel and Jansport bags strewn all over the floor. Chances are you’d be spending hours waiting to pay because there’s only two cashiers (so far, we hope), so skip the heels. Trust us, your feet will thank you.
3. Dress comfortably, too. You’re not allowed to fit garments, but who’s to stop you from trying on that North Face jacket? Point being, wear something skimming enough that you can try on stuff over your clothes, if you’re so inclined to do so.
4. Eat ahead of time. Once you’re in the Primer Bodega Sale, there’s no going out. Eating and drinking are not allowed inside the premises, so unless you’re used to starving for hours, have a meal before you go.
5. Be patient. We can’t emphasize enough that you’ll be spending hours on end at the bodega sale. If the company of your friends isn’t enough to entertain you (or they’re getting cranky), by all means bring a book, preferably one you’ve just started. Make sure your phone’s fully charged and/or bring a power bank – you’re going to wind up playing Pokémon GO and Candy Crush by the time you go through everything on your Facebook and Instagram feeds. Or chat up the person next to you in line, and gain a new friend. Massive discounts and a wider social circle? Now that’s a win-win situation.

Happy shopping!