Not about sales but about shopping

How to survive a cosmetics warehouse sale

There is a Shiseido warehouse sale this weekend, starting Friday 5 October 2007. I used to be a regular at this particular sale because it was less popular, and I rather liked my finds there and I got great bargains.

I am sitting this sale out however, simply because the last one did not meet my expectations and I actually walked away with nothing in hand - quite unheard of in this shopaholic! Also, I’ve figured out that Shiseido as a brand, isn’t really for me so I’d rather save my money up for some other warehouse sale!

For all those planning to go, here are some tips I have for surviving a cosmetics warehouse sale, simply because when you have cheap cosmetics + women, you get total madness!

  • Arrive early. When it says it starts at 10am, be there at 9am. You will find it easier to find parking, and probably find yourself at the front of the queue or near the front of the queue which makes it easier for you to enter the hall, find what you want and get out early too.
  • Do not bring any bags. This is crucial. Bring a bag and you slow yourself down because you’ll have to bag it or leave it at a bag counter and there are instances of bags going missing or have things stolen. Just bring your wallet and mobile phone.
  • Wear pants and comfortable shoes. You will be squeezing in the crowd. Believe me, you’ll thank me for this! I like to wear cargo pants so I can keep my hands free to grab stuff.
  • Check expiry dates on sale products. There is a reason they are on sale. Skincare products and cream based cosmetics have a shelf-life of about 2-3 years only. Powder cosmetics have a longer shelf-life but if its too old, skip it. Your skin deserves better.
  • Find out about the brands available before you go. Pop by a Shiseido counter to see what you’d like to get before you go. At the counter, you can ask all the questions you want and find out about the products in your own time. At the sale, no one likes someone who is picking up products and asking how to use it. The sales people are sometimes not trained beauty staff and they too maybe unsure of how to use the product. Also, there are a number of brands listed, so find out about them BEFORE you go.
  • If you don’t know how to use it, don’t buy it. It’ll just go to waste because you have no idea how to use it, and that RM60 that you thought was a saving could be better spent elsewhere.
  • Know your foundation colour/shade before you go. If you plan to buy foundation at the sale, check your shade at the counters first. You’ll save a lot of time and hassle by just telling the staff to get you the colour you want instead of trying to find a tester and making a snap decision at the sale itself. Remember, foundation is a tricky business and you cannot settle for anything less than perfect. Read these foundation tips on how to find your perfect foundation.
  • Know your retail prices. If you don’t know your retail prices, how would you know if you are getting a bargain? Generally, the Shiseido brand is pretty expensive and their savings at the sale is substantial. However for the cheaper brands found at the pharmacy, sometimes, it might be about the same price were you to buy it at say, Guardian or Watsons during a sale.
  • Try to pay by cash. The cash lane is usually shorter because most people use credit cards. So, if you bring a wad of cash and pay by cash you’d be out of the mayhem faster. Also, there was an instance when I was too early and the credit card machines were not yet set up - major madness.
  • If you don’t think you’d use it or like the colour very much, don’t buy it. Not even if its the cheapest Shiseido lipstick you’ll ever buy. Trust me on this one.

These tips are based on my own tried and true experiences and apply not only to this Shiseido warehouse clearance sale, but to all cosmetics brands’ clearance or warehouse sales. I picked up these tips through trial and error and they have worked for me like a charm every time, saving me money and time! Have fun at the sale!

Sale promo picture courtesy of ShoppingnSales

October 4, 2007 | Filed Under Beauty, Promotions & Offers, Shopping hazards | 4 Comments 

Pavilion Kuala Lumpur - parking rates

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I snapped this picture of the parking rates for the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur shopping centre. I thought the rates were steep. But no more steep than say, Suria KLCC or Lot 10. The autopay machines could be more conspicuous though. I parked in B2 and could not find a single autopay machine on the floor.

I was hoping that since it was Pavilion’s opening day, they would waive the parking fee for starters. It was too good to hope for because parking charges start today itself. There is no flat rate parking fee on weekends though, which is a pity. I’m a bit of a skinflint so I balk at having to pay lots of money for parking - money I could spend better on shopping!

September 21, 2007 | Filed Under Retailer Reviews, Shopping hazards | 7 Comments 

Dirty makeup testers are a turn off

I saw this makeup display at a Watsons store at Bangsar Shopping Centre. It is a Revlon display and I’m afraid to say that as a shopper, this is one of the most disgusting displays I’ve come across yet.

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The testers for the compact makeup (the lower row) were dirty and all round awful. It made me wonder if the product will look like the tester after a few uses, and it was not a pretty sight.

At another time, I might have been interested to check out the makeup item, but with the condition of the testers, I just gave it a pass.

As a consumer who wants to be informed, having testers is a great way to learn up about the product before buying it. However, the retailers should take the trouble to clean the testers up now and then to encourage sales.

September 19, 2007 | Filed Under Duds, Shopping hazards | 1 Comment 

Shopping Woes

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The Star newspaper ran a good article last Saturday on “Shopper’s Woes“. It featured excerpts of bad experiences from real life people and what one could do if you find yourself in a similar situation. Some of the tips were quite helpful but I’m not sure how practical they can be.

For example, I had a bad experience with a mobile phone. It was highlighted in the article :) and the advise given was:

Your rights: Indrani points out that if product quality is not met as described by the manufacturer or the retailer, you can demand redress.

When you return the item, you must state clearly whether you want a refund, a replacement or a repair.

It is important to note that if you agree to having the product repaired, and you sign off on it as being properly repaired, you cannot ask for a replacement later if the repair turned out badly.

This is a problem if you are dealing with a company that doesn’t value its customers. Some companies try to palm off temporary repairs on the unwitting consumer, hoping the warranty has run out by the time it breaks down.

I agree that I could have asked for a replacement. However, most of the time, when we purchase an item that comes with a warranty, the manufacturer or distributor will always repair it first under the warranty. It is only in very rare situations when they will replace the item. Unless you threaten to bring all sorts of action and highlight the situation in the papers I guess.

Either way, its a good article to read and good tips to take note of the next time you face a problem with your purchase.

September 10, 2007 | Filed Under Shopping hazards | 1 Comment 

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