Heat wave means fan sales are hot

Last week when the first real heat wave of the year descended on Belize, we took a look at how children responded by consuming record numbers of ideal ice pops. With temperatures still hovering in the 90’s, News 5’s Ann-Marie Williams today took a look at how the rest of us are responding to the weather.

Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting

If you can’t afford air conditioning, the next best way to beat the heat is with an electric fan. But buying the right fan is not always easy. Styles vary, as do prices and quality. There are desk fans, wall and ceiling fans, industrial, and even remote control fans, ranging from a low of thirty dollars to a whopping three hundred and seventy-five.

Manager of James Brodie hardware Reuben Vargas, says standing fans are the biggest sellers.

Reuben Vargas, Manager, James Brodie and Co.

“Right now we are selling a lot of standing fans and wall fans.”

Vargas says they specialise in Lasko and KDK brands, both of which come with a warranty.

Reuben Vargas

“The fans that we carry definitely will last you over a year. While the cheap ones out there, depending on how you run them…if you run them twenty-four seven, you’re looking at maybe one, two, three months these fans go in. They are not as durable, I know sometime they rust on you quickly.”

Albert Street merchant Danny Babani, says the expensive fans last longer, but there is a bigger demand for the cheap ones.

Danny Babani, A-Fashion Store

“Because they can’t afford the expensive ones, sometimes they buy cheaper ones to just get the breeze. I sell fan everyday and I do wholesale also, so in the wholesale they go also. They sell ten, fifteen fans everyday.”

Ann-Marie Williams

“If you want a lot of breeze, but cannot afford to buy the more expensive heavy duty fans, one sure way for you to get it is to take off the face of these not so expensive oscillators.”

Harish Kishichand, who operates a small Orange Street store, says there’s an added bonus, besides the cost of a VC brand fan.

Harish Kishichand, NB Store

“They can use it as a night lamp. Lot of people buy and come and buy again. They say it’s good for babies, for children, who cannot take the big ones.”

We came across another variety, which came highly recommended from Shaundra Ashby, sales clerk at Mirab and Company.

Shaundra Ashby, Sales Clerk, Mirab and Co.

“I would recommend the Super Fan because it gives a lot of breeze and if the blades get broken you can always replace it. The Super Fan, like how it is hot right now, it’s the best to recommend. And if you buy it, you will see that I am right.”

Whether right or wrong, the time is super right to buy it.

Shaundra Ashby

“We do have a discount, a special on the Super Fan, it’s eighty-seven dollars. It used to be a hundred and thirty-five dollars. Now I would advise customers to come and pick up their fan now that it’s eighty-seven dollars.”

Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.

Stores specialising in air conditioning units also report that sales are brisk.