Post-Christmas sales were a low priority for most Bermudians who braved the cold and rain in Hamilton yesterday.

The promise of big discounts was not enough to lure bargain hunters into Hamilton shops, and of those who did brave the inclement weather, most told an informal Royal Gazette street poll they were really "in town'' to do other things.

The morning was quiet, but downtown crowds increased slightly around lunchtime.

The majority of people approached said they had not specifically come to Hamilton in search of sales. Police officer Derika Fishington was out with her husband and child yesterday. She said she was in town to return a gift, but admitted that the sales were of interest to her.

She said: "I saw a few bargains but I haven't really spent any money yet, but I plan to.'' In Hamilton to cash in on their gift certificates Lyndsy Ford and Daila Simmons were enticed to buy shoes and sneakers when they saw the sales.

Standing outside a crowded shoe store, Daila said: "My friend is inside buying shoes.'' "We came for the sales,''said Armetia Apopa whose arms were laden with full shopping bags. In Hamilton by 8.30 a.m. Ms Apopa and her mother reported that the stores were quiet at that hour but "hectic by noon''.

"It's better to come first thing. The people were calm,'' she said.

"I got a lot of winter jackets because I'm away in school. The prices were good, even compared to the States.'' Arthur Ebbin said he came to town to cash in gift certificates but that he took advantage of the sales as well.

"I got some nice, good bargains,'' he said.

Though many people unintentionally caught some sales, others said there were no bargains to be found.

Don Francis and his daughter Shantonia said they came to town to make an exchange, and that they did not find many bargains. They added that the stores were not too busy.

However Analia Billings, who was in town with her mother, said: "the shops were really crowded with long lines''.

But the shops were not too busy for workers to peruse during their coffee breaks.

Maria Aitken, a teacher who also works in a Hamilton store, said she was "shopping to kill time''.

"There just happens to be a sale on,'' she said.

Amy Harvey, a Bermudian who lives abroad, expressed disappointment over this year's post-Christmas sales.

"It wasn't as good as last year because there's not as much variety. I didn't buy as much,'' she said.

"But the lines are short and the people are friendly.'' Amy Harvey Maria Aitken Armetia Apopa BUSINESS BUC