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Can I ask you a question? Where do you get your groceries from? The wet market? Or the supermarket? For some of us, the answer might be a mix of both.

Notably, both wet markets and supermarkets have their strong points. However, the most important factor that determines where we get our groceries from is… can you guess? The price! High five if you got it right.

Considering the price alone, supermarkets appear cheaper than wet markets. We need to also bear in mind that some items have merely a teeny-weeny difference. Nonetheless, supermarkets win the battle against wet markets in terms of pricing.

Importantly, one must be able to distinguish between value and price.Cheap does not necessarily mean more value. For example, a Bombay onion obtained from the supermarket may have a shorter shelf-life compared to one bought from the wet market. Therefore, freshness is of concern.

Even then, items at the wet market can be relatively pricey especially during weekends. With that in mind, the location of a wet market and a supermarket plays a major role in the pricing of its items. For instance, close to where I live is an air conditioned neighbourhood outlet catered to the middle-income families. Next to it is a florist shop and car repair shop, making it convenient for shoppers.

Despite the lower prices at most supermarkets, shoppers should be smart in seeking ways to get added value out of their purchases. After all, it never hurts to obtain the best, right?

One option is to pay with either your credit or debit card. That way, you can accumulate reward points and leverage on special offers and promotions. Another way to get more value out of your purchases is to participate in loyalty programmes offered by supermarkets. Take advantage of any loyalty programmes offered by your favourite supermarket. Prior to registration, remember to check out level of ease for redemption of points and any other fees charged for registration or membership renewal. Do also check out the seasonal offers and the purchase with purchase (PWP).

So, does this mean you should never ever set foot on the wet market? I hope you answered with a ‘No’. Here are some tips to survive shopping at the wet market:

• Always wanted to be a spy? Put your spying skills to the test. You can be sure to find a variety of butchers, fishmongers and sundry shops. Keep in mind that what they sell tends to differ in terms of price, variety and freshness.Don’t worry if you’ve never been to the market. Take a walk around and examine the goods prior to buying anything. Do survey the displays and their prices, and make a mental note of which stalls or sellers offer the best value.

• Negotiate as much as possible. (Yes, it’s normal to hear friendly haggling at the market).

• Upon identification of the stalls with the best offers, pick what you want and seek the lowest price.

• Attempt a counter-offer. Should the seller disagree, raise it a bit.

• If your offer is rejected, it is alright to walk away. Usually, the seller would then give in. However, if the seller does not give in, know that you can make your way to another stall.

• If you purchase at least two items from the same stall, you could stand a better chance at getting a good discount.

To sum up, it matters to be smart when making purchases whether you choose to shop at a wet market or a supermarket. Importantly, the shopping experience at either a supermarket or a wet market is different.