SM 3-Day Sale Results in 27% More Heavy Traffic Reports
A 3-headed monster reared its head(s) in Metro Manila last weekend, particularly along the EDSA Ortigas area. Oddly enough, rather than running away from the creature, people flocked in the hundreds, maybe even thousands, only to be consumed in its path of destruction. T’was a creature so hideous that even the mighty Godzilla can only shake its head and facepalm(claw). It was another SM Megamall 3-day sale.
These mega-sales are nothing new to us, of course. Every so often, people are drawn to the calls of “up to 70% off!” We can’t help it. Filipinos can’t resist the draw of a good bargain. Unfortunately, whatever savings we can get must come at a price: the horrible traffic we have to face to get to the mall, especially on Fridays.
Take a look at this chart displaying all the heavy traffic reports we received on the TrafficDito website and the TD iPhone app last Friday, May 4:
As if regular Friday EDSA traffic isn’t bad enough, things only got worse as people made their way to Megamall via EDSA, hoping to catch the first batch of sale items. They say this is what makes the first day so crucial. There aren’t a lot of things more disappointing than finding that shirt you wanted at half the price, only to find out that the store is fresh out of your size. Ugh.
Let’s look at how last Friday’s heavy traffic reports along EDSA compared to those of the previous weekend’s:
Last May 4, TrafficDito received 27% more heavy traffic reports throughout the day versus the previous Friday, April 27 (240 vs. 189 reports). It also looks like some people may have opted for an early start with the inflow of heavy traffic reports coming in as early as 3pm. I wonder how many people called in sick or left work early that day. Sneaky.
All things considered, I’m just glad that these things don’t happen too often. I mean, I’m all for nabbing a bargain, but unless I’m at the mall before it even opens, I find that the stress just isn’t worth it. Yeah, there’s the traffic, but then there are the other factors too: parking, crowds, and of course, the eventual regret that comes after realizing how much you’ve spent.
Discount junkies out there! What do you guys think? Are these mega-sales really worth it? Have you faced the 3-headed beast before and lived to tell the tale?
-EJ, Product Marketing Padawan
