The 280-hour nonstop Big Bad Wolf book sale kicked off on March 29 at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) in BSD, Tangerang.

According to tempo.co, first-day visitors could be seen busily piling up books for purchase in their carts, while lines at the spacious cashier area were already half-filled.

Those who do not have the time or patience to line up may consider another option to shop at this place, popularly known as jastip — short for jasa titip (buying service) — available on social media platforms like Instagram. Using this service, customers can simply pick their favorite books on the platform and then wait for the jastip to purchase the items. 

Read also: Big Bad Wolf 2018 to offer Mandarin books

One of these jastip providers, named Adam, said he and his team would upload photos on Instagram and then wait for buyers to contact them. Afterward, customers are required to send the full payment for the books before the jastip attendants purchase them at the cashier. 

"We don't want to take any risks. Buyers have to make full payment first," said Adam at ICE BSD on Thursday.

Regarding the price of the service, Adam said it depended on the price of the books. For instance, for books priced between Rp 10,000 (less than US$1) and Rp 50,000, the service charge will be 10 percent. If the price of books is more than Rp 100,000, the service charge is 30 percent.

Despite the higher price, buyers are still interested as the overall price of the books is still quite affordable, said Adam, while busily filling five carts with books from various genres.

The Big Bad Wolf 2018 will run until April 9. (kes)

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