With the cost of living going up dramatically in the Kingdom this year, those in the tailoring business are also making hay and demanding exorbitant rates for their services. Clothes have already become costlier, and now with tailors increasing the rates for their labor, many people may find themselves hard pressed, if they want to have a new dress for the coming Eid. Tailors are busy taking orders for Eid, and they are charging high prices, several customers told Saudi Gazette. But tailors claim that the steep hike in prices of all essential commodities has affected their budgets, and they don't have any other alternative except to charge more for their services. Waseem Ahmed, an old timer in Jeddah, said he is working day and night in his downtown shop just to earn more money for his family. “If the dress is ready before time, customers give me extra money,” he said. He is performing double duty in the holy month of Ramadan. Due to high prices, tailors have recommended that their clients give orders for Eid very early. “Then clients can more easily arrange their budgets,” said Sohail Siddiqui who works in a dress shop. “According to some customers, tailors formerly gave special discounts in Ramadan. But this is not the case this year. Sometimes customers also request that their dresses be prepared at short notice. “Obviously, in that case, tailors charge more than the regular price,” Siddiqui added. Shadia Badr, who runs a boutique, said some famous tailoring and designer shops have purposely increased prices because of the peak season and the extra workload. She said it was a good opportunity for them to increase their rates for tailoring and designing in order to raise money for the coming year. __
