They sniff out good deal in Jurong: 10-CENT DURIANS

WHAT can 10 cents get you these days?

SMELLS LIKE A BARGAIN: Some people queued for up to an hour for their cheap durians. Several opened their durians on the spot and packed the seeds into containers to take home. TNP PICTURES: JONATHAN CHOO

Well, at Jurong West Street 52, it can get you a nice, juicy durian.

Which explains the long queues at the Swee Heng Fruit and Trading Stall at Block 503.

The durian promotion was part of the fruit festival, organised by Hong Kah Community Centre, which began on 15 Jun and ends on Sunday.

However, the 10-cent durians were available only from Monday to Wednesday on both weeks between 6 and 7pm.

The D13 durians sold there usually go for between 50 cents and $1 each.

But the cheap durians came with strings attached. Each customer was limited to 10 durians and was not allowed to select the fruits.

Not profitable

Stall owner Alan Tan, 20, said he sold about 25 baskets of 10-cent durians a day during the promotional period.

Mr Tan, who took over the stall from friends three months ago, said that he doesn't make money but enough to cover his GST.

He said in Hokkien: 'Each basket only earns me about $6.'

So why does he do it if there is no profit?

He said: 'This is just to get people to come to my store during the promotion. I don't only sell 10-cent durians.

'Customers can buy higher grade durians at my store too - that is where I make money. There are also other fruits.'

He said he makes a profit of about $100 to $200 a day, depending on sales.

During the promotional period, Mr Tan was allowed to set up multiple stalls in front of his shop.

He had five people to help him during the promotion.