Do you find that co-branded cards are useful?
I’ve noticed a fair number of co-branded credit cards coming into the marketplace. Some card companies or banks tie up with retailers while the most common is to tie up with a departmental store. These credit cards operate as normal credit cards but also serve as loyalty cards. I own the Ikea co-branded card but tend to have a problem when making payment. I somehow never make payment to the right card number!
Yes, for some strange reason, Alliance bank assigns 2 credit card numbers to my account even if I only have one card. Its a bit of a bother for me and I’ve made mistakes numerous times. Even when I took my statement to the bank to make payment, the cashier too made a mistake!
But what I’m really wondering about these co-branded cards is whether they perform credit checks. When applying for the regular bank credit cards, the banks will do credit checks before approving or rejecting your application. However, when you apply for a co-branded card there is a 99% chance your application will be approved because I guess its a win-win situation for all. So, if you don’t already have a credit card and want to be sure that you are likely to be approved for one, try a co-branded card.
If you aren’t in Malaysia, you can read this site (http://www.allaboutcredit.net/Bad-No-Credit-Credit-Cards-991378-page.php) to find out more about credit cards that you can apply for even without a credit score. Sometimes, these things are useful to know.
Free Stila gifts from Strawberrynet!
Strawberrynet has received a top 3 rating on BizRate and they are sharing the good news by offering free gifts with every order!
That’s right, on top of the free shipping and free gift for new orders, every order will now be entitled to receive a free Stila Push Up All Over Colour, Stila Lip Glaze Stick or Stila Mineral Matte Powder Eyeshadow with every purchase over US$50.
Remember, loyal customers get your loyalty discounts and if you purchase over 3 products you get an additional 5% off!
Now, whats there to stop you from shopping at Strawberrynet?! 
Click on the banner below to be taken to the site. While stocks last and valid until 30 September 2008
How does the Budget 2009 affect our shopping habits?
I was quite disappointed with the Malaysia Budget 2009 which was announced yesterday. For me, there is nothing to look forward to in this Budget. Unlike previous years when rebates were given for purchase of computers and books, this year there are no such rebates announced.
From a shopping point of view, there may be some good things to look forward to in the Malaysia Budget 2009. Under the Budget 2009, the Government has reduced import duties for consumer durables between 5 and 30 percent and rom 10 and 60 percent. In theory, it would now be a good time to shop for kitchen stuff for the home and kitchen. Such consumer durables include blender, rice cooker, microwave oven and electric kettle.
Practically, I am not sure how this will translate in terms of prices. Also, if you just think about it, just how many of such products are imported these days? Many brands are already made right here in Malaysia to keep the costs and prices low. So, I’m not expecting a wave of household purchases. However, now might be a good time for me to look at that sleek sexy Italian made coffee machine I’ve been eyeing!
Another shopping related Budget 2009 goodie is the exemption of Import duty on several food items including vermicelli, biscuits, fruit juices and canned sweet corn. For me, this seems to be quite an eclectic range of food items. A lot of Vermicelli (Mee Hoon) is from Thailand so perhaps we are looking at slightly cheaper prices. However, sweet corn is a strange item to include in the list because it doesn’t seem to be a food item that is widely eaten regularly.
That said, it might be now cheaper to indulge in those Scottish or English Shortbread cookies and Florida Fruit Juices.
Whether these tax reductions and exemptions translate into lower prices for the consumer, in light of the upcoming festivities remains to be seen. Many traders would have stockpiled their stock at old prices and paid their taxes in view of the coming Ramadhan and Hari Raya Puasa so they are not likely to drop their prices any time soon.
So, on paper it all looks attractive, but practically, I’m waiting to see how it will affect the prices in the market and then I’ll tailor my shopping habits accordingly.
Credit cards: Pay in full and enjoy 20 days interest free period
Have you been paying attention to your credit card statement recently? I noticed that in the past few statements that I received, there was some information about some new changes going on with all the banks issuing credit cards.
As credit cards are an important item to remember when going shopping, I thought I’d post up a reminder here.
Effective July 2008, if you pay your credit card bill in full on or before the due date, you will enjoy up to 20 days interest free period i.e. from the date you charged your card to the day your statement is issued for the month.
If it sounds like a familiar system, it is. It is what you have been enjoying ever since you owned that bit of plastic that you take shopping. I like playing with that 20 day period. It gives me time to “roll over” my finances for the period, sometimes up to 2 paychecks.
However, if you choose to pay only the minimum or part payment, you will be charged interest from the date of the transaction. Unless you make a big purchase, the interest won’t usually be bank breaking, but in the long run, it will all add up.
So, this is a good time to think about your finances and your personal spending limits. If you won’t be able to afford to pay off the whole bill at the end of the month then rethink your purchase.
Personally, I won’t be affected by this new ruling because I always make it a point to pay off my credit card bill in full at the end of the month. Its better for me not to own a particular item I can’t afford, than to be in debt for some material satisfaction.
So, note down your credit card payment due date and the total amount and make sure you pay your bill in full so you enjoy that 20 day interest free period! You can read the terms from the HSBC site here (PDF file)
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