Shopping Addiction: My new AQUA mobile phone!

You know, sometimes I really love and hate Qoo10 (previously known as Gmarket) at the same time.

They sure have their ways to make online shoppers splurge on their wants instead of needs!

Imagine scrolling through their best deals out of boredom... And suddenly you spot something that captures your attention.. 

You start to add it to your shopping cart.. TA-DA...! 

And the rest is history.

Of course, there are other highly recommended sites as well that have the same addictive trait.
One such example is ZALORA, an e-tailer that offers a wide variety of choices (be it clothing, accessories, etc) for women and men! (Seriously, how often do you see a web store that has so many unisex choices - and yet at irresistibly affordable prices?!)

As if that is not enough, Zalora offers FREE delivery and CASH ON DELIVERY, too!

*squeals*

Totally spoilt for choice, lah. I'll go through their catalogue slowly.

And as below are just some of my random purchases (Not from Zalora though)- CARD PHONES from Qoo10 that I just wanna show off~ (GOOD THINGS ARE WORTH THE SHARE, RIGHT??! ;))

No, it's not an i-banking device.. 

Nor is it a calculator. =_=

It is a CARD PHONE! And it is really a card-sized phone - just like your any other ordinary ez-link card.

I got it for my mum as I thought it should be basic enough for her liking.

Well, in case you are wondering.. Yes, it supports any other normal SIM card. I actually got her a Singtel prepaid card to go along with it.

I was so fascinated with the phone that I ended up falling in love with one myself - except that mine has got to be a tad more expensive as I got a waterproof version.

So this means that I can drop it into the toiletbowl without worrying that it will become faulty.

Just kidding.

(Why in the world would I drop it into a toiletbowl unnecessarily, man?! LOL)

I actually wanted it badly due to its NEON color.

 I don't really care about the waterproof function.

And no, I didn't get it from Qoo10.

It was the sweet boyfriend who went the extra mile to get it for me at a physical sports store in Singapore - yes, he did it behind my back.

(I was like.. WHAAATT??!!!)

*Ouch* I could see a hole burnt in his pocket. 

Nonetheless, I am currently making good use of the phone for work purposes. 

It's actually a VERY basic phone and not really worth the money that was paid for, but I still stubbornly love it as I know it's special and you cannot really find it in everyday stores.

Here's a short video that features it:

Just a summary of the pros and cons:

Pros: 
-Small and handy (You can hang around your neck like a travel pass. Accessories and cables are provided!)

-It has a loud ringtone. So loud that even the deaf can hear it.

-Waterproof? (I haven't tested it out yet so I cannot comment much on this)

-Good for simple users such as kids, army, etc.

-Despite its simplicity, you'll be surprised that it as a FM radio function!

-Requires only very minimal charging time * Only 30 minutes and the phone can be on standy for 3-4 days! Amazing battery life, huh?

- A perfect conversation starter. I have met many people who are fascinated at the sight of this baby and started asking about it. 

Cons:

-Initially, I thought it would be an ideal phone for senior citizens.. But it seems that the font and buttons are quite small. 

-And no, it doesn't have wifi or bluetooth FYI. 

BUT GUESS WHAT HAPPENED A FEW DAYS AGO?!

I was walking past this sales promoter and he attempted to compliment me on this cute little phone.

It was not until when he said..

"Hey, that's a calculator? Cute!"

*GRITS TEETH*

This little baby cost over a $100 and he mistook it for a calculator!?!?!

*Breathes in, breathes out*

OK... But I do admit it does look like one.

Oh well.

If anyone is interested in this phone, you may feel free to visit their website for more info at:
www.card-tec.com

(And no, I am not earning anything from this, nor am I in any way affiliated to them.)

[Advertorial] IMPULSE

Chinese New Year is just around the corner, how are your preparations coming along so far?

New apparels, new shoes, new bags...

Wait...

Did you forget something?
Yes, accessories!!!
(I can NEVER get enough of accessories because they contribute so much to my outfit!)

If you are thinking where to get cheap finds (Waaaayy cheaper than retail stores) but YET full of choices, then you should totally give yourself a chance to read on what I have in store for you.

And if you are a guy, there is no need to complain too because I am offering more Valentine's Day gift ideas for your other half! Just scroll down and thank me later!

Well... Thanks to IMPULSE, it is possible to look sophisticated without going through much expense. 

The lovely owner of Impulse, Chloe, has generously sponsored 3 different accessories of my choice from her online store, and here they are:

(I totally LOVE them!)

1) A merry-go-round necklace - Item code #N0033

2) A leaf headband (That can be used as a necklace too - I'll show you!) - Item code #H0001

3) Fashion gold ring - Item code #R0001

I have purposely chosen 3 accessories of different categories so you guys can see and compare the varieties:

Let's start with the "merry-go-round" necklace first, shall we?! =)

Top view:

I simply love all the details that are engraved on it. It really does look delicate!

Personally, I am a HUGE fan vintage-looking necklaces. 

They are intriguing because the color and design is made to look old but sturdy.

 And this design was one of the first that caught my attention while I was browsing through the store catalogue.

I am trying to capture every bit of the necklace's material to detail so you can judge for yourself.

It's totally NOT those cheap-looking ones made of crappy material.

 (I ever encountered one which looks similar to this material in retail stores but it broke in my hands, much to my horror!)

Darn, why is there a blue ink stain on my finger?? LOL!

And look at this small wheel-looking thingy at the end of the necklace!

It just adds on the cuteness in general. :)

Pardon the strand of hair across my face. It somehow spoils the picture. HAHA.

But whatever - It's the necklace I wanted to focus on!

 CUTE right? The design really appeals to me because the "merry-go-round" actually 'moves'! 

The mini horses will dangle as you walk!!!

I wanted to capture a full-body photo but it made the necklace look small, so this is the furthest I could go:

I matched it with a black dress of mine and I love the combination!

Somehow black color makes the necklace stand out more:

Let's go the Vintage style! 

LOL.

Here's item no #2: The leaf headband 

I have friends asking me where I got this from when I wore it - So here is the answer in the blog post!

A close-up of the leaf design. In metallic gold.
If you are a headband lover, I am sure this will appeal to you!




One of the random photos I took using my phone's camera while I was shooting this advertorial:
(I believe some of you Facebook friends will recognize this pic! Haha!)

I seldom wear headbands but I totally love the design of this one.
Am considering it as part of my CNY accessories!





And if you are not comfortable with wearing a headband, then pull it all the way down to your neck and it'll transform into a necklace!

SIBEI CHIO!!!

What do you think??

Headband or necklace? You decide! :)

Here's item no #3: Fashion ring

A ring that appears simplistic and yet appealing.

Fashionistas, how do you like it?!

Sturdy material, no doubt!

Here's a method to "show off" the ring if you are wearing it:

-Pretend to yawn and cover your mouth like me! LOL.

SEE? Notice that ring?

Hahaha.

Okay, enough of my nonsense. Here's something important that I have to share here - and I promise you it's something great.

IMPULSE guarantees you:

♥ Affordability:

The accessories are VERY affordable. Some famous blogshops are selling them at 2x or even 3x higher! 

♥ Quality guaranteed:

They are made of fantastic quality. If my review above is not enough to convince you, then probably these reviews left by Impulse's customers will!   (Click to enlarge!)

♥ Items are true to the pictures:

Sometimes it is really hard to believe what you see on the internet. There were times when photographs of the items you see online differ from reality when you receive them. But trust me - The accessories sold at Impulse are true to the pics! 

♥ Fast Shipping:

Who doesn't love fast shipping? Impulse offers fast shipping as parcels - both normal and registered options available. They are sent out on every working day!

♥ Singpost A.M mail available:

Singpost A.M mail is available too! (Next day delivery)

♥ New and trendy designs regularly:

Impulse is bringing in new and and trendy designs regularly! So do always keep checking back because you may not know what you have missed!

♥ Items are at a FRACTION of original prices:

Do you know that quite a lot of Impulse's products are from the manufacturing factories of ASOS, Forever 21, Topshop, H&M, etc! So... Those prices are really a steal because you are only paying a fraction of their original prices! How cool and money-saving is that, right? ;)

♥ Good customer service:

Have something to ask (eg: measurements of bracelets, necklaces, etc?) Impulse answers most enquiries within 24 hours! And yes, the owner is really patient and nice, too! (I can vouch for that. Haha)

♥♥♥♥♥AND HERE'S THE GREAT DEAL♥♥♥♥♥:

Impulse are going to sell their accessories at an EVEN lower price despite their original already low prices!

Do keep a lookout for the upcoming GROUP BUY Promotion on Qoo10 (or more commonly known as "Gmarket") that will be going on for two weeks, starting from 6th February 2013 @ 7 PM.

And... And... AND!!

They will have a booth at the NUS Central Forum on 

13th February 2013 AND 14th February 2013 as well!

Are you getting excited yet???!!

THAT'S NOT ALL!

Impulse will be offering a promotion to my readers as well! If you are interested in any items you see in the store, just include "Catherine" in the memo to seller section during your purchase and you will receive a cute anti dust-cap! 

NO minimum spending is required but limited to only 1 customer regardless of the amount of items purchased!

Please do note that colors will be given out randomly.

So...

Start shopping away at IMPULSE right now - It's just within a mouse click away! They have loads more choices than what you see here...So... SHOO and get going! ;)

Online shopping freaks!

Just so you know, I am recently hooked to purchasing deals online.

I have always thought group deals to be a great idea to enjoy food and services at a fraction of its price, which is very much true!

Of course, there are still people out there who doubt the security of the deals and think of them as a scam or gimmick.

Which explains the reason of why I am doing up this entry because I will be personally sharing my experiences (be it good OR bad) of deals I had purchased and used.

Probably a Google search may land you on this page, I don't know. I just hope it will be a beneficial one. 

I've recently tried a 2D1N Batam deal on Qoo10.sg (previously known as Gmarket). 

It was seriously a worthy deal as I had been to the same place (with almost the same itinerary) 2 years back - and it cost me approximately SGD 135.

And Qoo10.sg was having a group deal promotion at SGD 49.90.

Of course, there will be additional compulsory costs that are not included in the $49.90 price tag, such as tips for your tour guide, ferry costs, etc.

But you will still be on the winning end because the total price will not exceed SGD 80. 

(Around SGD 70 ++) 

AND the deal was inclusive of a tour guide, 60-min Javanese massage, 8 course- seafood meal for lunch, 1 night hotel stay, Breakfast buffet.

The tour bus I was in:

Tell me, worth it or not??!!

If you were to go without the deal , a night of hotel stay would easily churn out a bill of $60-$80 already. And this is not even counting the massage deal or lunch.

Of course, I would encourage you to book for weekdays instead of weekends like I did as the place would be packed with humans. (Lol)

In fact, we were stuck at the bus junction for nearly 2 hours and some parts of the trips had to be cancelled
:(
Oh well.

(The itinerary includes a visit to temples and Go-Kart, etc. But it was a pity that we were running out of time and the tour guide cancelled them.)

We were brought to the "Golden Factory Outlet" that is known to sell luxurious brands at a fraction of its price. I doubt its authenticity though. If you are one who is not VERY particular about brands, then I guess this factor will not affect you that much. They do have apparels that come in cool designs!

Nonetheless, the hotel stay was a pleasant one. In fact, I was impressed by its interior design as they made the surrounding look like a luxurious ship. (I was reminded of the Titanic exhibition I went to as the hallway simply looked too much like the Titanic hallway!)

To those who went to the Titanic exhibition when it was here in SG, do you not find this scene familiar??!!

Went for a super duper short shopping spree at their local shopping mall and came across this Karaoke place. *tempted mode*

But of course I didn't go for it as their songs are mainly in their native language which I know nuts.

 Took a photo of my hotel cards before the final check-out during the second day.

I didn't take many photos of my Batam trip (partly due to the factor that I was lazy) as it was my 2nd time there.
To those who are worried about how this deal would turn out, you may go ahead to purchase the deal. It's safe and I am already back in a full piece! (LOL!) :)

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Another recent deal that I tried was the full body massage at Spa de Earth.  It was actually my first time trying out massage in Singapore (My previous massage sessions were at Batam) and I had to say that it was quite a... refreshing experience.

It was a 60-min Javanese massage (and the masseur was quite strong!) LOL.
But it was a 3.5 star experience nonetheless.

Do you know what is ONE fearful thing about online deals that I am most afraid of?

Hard-selling.

Oh damn, I just hate that.

Fortunately, there was completely NO hard-selling at Spa De Earth, even though they do have packages. The staff had merely told me about an ongoing promotion, and that was it.
There was no hard-selling even though I rejected the offer.
It's only places like these that will make me a returning customer.
(Why can't some companies just understand that hard-selling WON'T work?!)
Gosh.

Okay, I guess I have became such an addict that I had just bought 2 more deals with a colleague! Will definitely share my experiences here when I am back.
Should it be a negative experience, be rest assured that I will definitely lodge a complaint.
Haha, ciao~

Online Shopping Addict - Gmarket

I believe most of you out there have heard of Qoo10.sg, or previously known as Gmarket (Seriously, I just couldn't get used to their new Qoo10 name - how the heck do you pronounce that! They should have just stick back to Gmarket. Grrr.. )

Well, I wasn't really an addict/fan until I began mass shopping recently on the site. I ordered things that are quite high in rarity, such as my mobile case cover as I am using Huawei brand that most stores outside do not have.

It was a pleasant experience until now. All of the goods I ordered came in good condition as expected, and delivery was reaaaallly fast.

But there was one thing about them that disturbed me generally whenever I was doing some random online shopping on the site.

They often trick customers with too-good-to-be-true prices (such as $0.99 or $1.99 for an item that's worth $19.90) on the front page of the website. Of course, you click on it and you'll be led to their page.

You will then have the misconception that most of their items are really going LOW at that price. 

You start to happily pick out and jot down the list of items that you want from the store...

Without noticing that there is an OPTION price on the dropdown list.

(For those of you who are no familiar with the site, the option price is like an "add-on" price on top of the "attractive" price that they advertised so nicely on the page.

In a way, the $0.99 price that you saw is considered as only the BASIC price. You cannot really purchase anything with the advertised price unless you ADD on from the option list.

And sometimes, the Option prices are so ridiculous. It can be $10.00 or even $20.00.

In total, you will be paying the initial advertised $0.99 ON TOP of the $10.00.

I came across a perfect example a few weeks back, but the listing is no longer available when I check back now. Hence, I shall take a random example:

Notice that the item was advertised at only $9.90.

But you CAN'T actually click on the purchase button until you select from the drop-down list that has a top-up price of $22 and $35 respectively.

Come on, the prices are not even close!

I am not sure if anyone feels the same way as I do (since I am not really an expert on qoo10 as it was only recently that I started online shopping on the site.) 

It was just that I felt some of the sellers are trying to mislead potential consumers into thinking that their items are REALLY going at that kind of low price, leading them to click on their page.

They will then attract consumers with beautiful photos of all the items they are selling, and more often that not - those items required ALOT of add-on price.

As a shopaholic, I know it's all in the shopper's mind. If you have spotted something nice, you'll begin craving for it and develop the "OMG, I MUST HAVE IT" mindset.

Eventually, you decided that you wouldn't mind paying the additional price for the products, even though they cost a bomb.

Sounds familiar?

Plead guilty, now. (LOL)

I have so many things to complain whenever it comes to online shopping, especially on deal websites. That will be something I am going to blog about in time to come. It will be beneficial for you because I'll be blogging from my personal experience!

P/S: I have nothing against Qoo10.sg with regards to this entry. I am just commenting how some of the deals work - They are misleading to a certain extent.