ONE man’s trash is another man’s treasure. The idiom best describes how second-hand furniture from Singapore sold in Kelantan is a hit.
Second-hand furniture business operators buy or collect used and damaged furniture from the republic before refurbishing and selling it locally.
The pieces of furniture, mostly with slight defects or repairs, were normally bought at a minimum price in Singapore, before they were transported and sold for a more reasonable and lower price.
A second-hand furniture shop businessman, Roslan Harun, said the prices of the items ranged between RM100 and RM1,000. He said the prices at his shop varied depending on the furniture quality and durability.
“There are a few shops here that buy, refurbish and resell furniture from Singapore.
“There is always competition and we cannot simply increase prices,” Roslan said.
“I started my business in 2007 after realising second-hand furniture from Singapore was a hit in Kelantan due to its quality and wood type,” said the 52 year old at his Second Hand Furniture from Singapore shop in Jalan Binjai, Demit, here yesterday.
He said he would scout for used and unwanted pieces of furniture in Singapore before transporting them here.
For the first few years, he hired a trailer or truck to transport the furniture.
But the cost was too high and he decided to save money and buy a lorry in 2012.
“I used to have two shops in Kota Baru. One in Jalan Binjai and another one in Jalan Kuala Krai.ButI closed the one in Jalan Kuala Kraito concentrate on this shop,” he said.
Most of the furniture at Roslan’s shop is made of leather and wood, such as jati, meranti and cengal. “Normally, the furniture needs a little repair, but it is in good condition.
“So, we will work on those needing repairs at the store before delivering it to customers.
“Besides, while being transported, the furniture may be further broken or damaged.
“Some can be repaired or refurbished, but sometimes it is impossible to repair it.
“That is one of the risks we have to take in this business,” said Roslan, who is from Pasir Mas.
He said customers preferred to buy secondhand furniture not only because it was of good quality, but also lower in price when compared with new furniture sold in other shops.
“A new wooden hall set costs more than RM1,000.” Roslan said the furniture was chosen by him and his cousin in Singapore before it was transported to Kelantan.
“We normally make one trip a week, either on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
“When I return, my cousin will make the second trip. We rotate the task.”
Among the furniture pieces at Roslan’s shop are refurbished dinning sets, hall sets, bedroom sets, used mattresses, kitchen cabinets and dressing tables.
In Kota Baru, there are almost a dozen shops selling used furniture from Singapore.