Rachel's guide to shopping bargains!

HELLO AGAIN EVERYBODY!!!!

I am back, to blog!

I was quite caught up with the new year and the new semester and the 'so-many-things-to-do-I-can-die-but actually-I-am-enjoying-it' kind of stuff. But it has been a happening few weeks in Kampar...
I was doing craft stuff for an art exhibition in UTAR Kampar next month, some UTAR orientation week stuff and yeah... stuff. I also went to Kayelle with the lovebirds, Jym and Aimi, and yes, I am used to being a lamp post, I don't think I mind... though I am not too sure if they minded (well, I don't think they mind, or else Aimi would not call me and urge me to go with them right??)

ANYWAY, I went to KL to do shopping because there was this HUGE sale for SOGO members (I am not a member, Aimi is) and of course, how could I possibly miss a sale right?
I only got two pairs of shoes from the sale. You must be thinking, 'WHAT??? All the way to KL and you only got two pairs of shoes?'
Yes, my dears... and at a fab price too!

RM89.90 + RM139.90 = RM59.90???

Yes, two pairs of shoes (ballerina flats and heels) for RM59.90.

I am a happy girl!!!

Okay, how do I start telling you how I shop? Your preferences may not be like mine but hey, I am just sharing, and if you think it is useful, you can apply it too! =)

1) Always buy things that look more expensive than it really is
That is what I call a good bargain. Fool people by making them think you spent RM50 on a belt when you only spent RM9. But seriously, if you spent RM50 on a belt that is not leather, I will do some 'knock knock, is anybody there??' on your head.
To buy something that looks more expensive than it really is, you have got to check the prices! Look up the fashion magazines (it's not compulsory to buy them, just flip them through in Borders) or just go window shopping and see the price difference between the brands.
I mean, even if you can buy a bra that looks RM50 for RM15 (and if you like it and please tell me it fits), do it!

2) Only buy things that are on SALE!
I almost NEVER EVER buy things that are not on sale, unless it is an emergency, or unless it's the shoes that I am dying to get and it is the LAST PAIR in my shoe size. Even if you are dying to get the shoes to die for, always think, can I get it somewhere else for a lesser price?
Just look at Padini, look at the sales! It's insane!!! That just shows how much those people mark up the price during non-sales period. You always get 50% and 70% off during the sales in Padini or Vincci. Please, if you buy their stuff during non-sale periods, I will knock your head too. (Okay, I wonder if it is legal to write about the Padini company that way?)
I tell you, even during those crazy sales where you get a top for RM17.90, they are still getting profit from you. The essence of capitalism. I am just advising you, like I am advising myself to not be a bigger victim of capitalism than I already am. After all, we are all a victim of capitalism.

3. Know your brands
I don't know if you keep up to brands in fashion but I do, sometimes, on occasion. If you are like me, then, get to know their price range and their sales. If you get to know them, then you will know what is a good buy and what is not. It's a matter of how low they can go.
If you know that Forever 21 items can go down to RM5 for a top (yes they can), why pay RM39 for it?
If you know Aldo shoes can go down to RM109, why pay RM299 for it?
There was one occasion that I really wanted this pair of beige pumps that was not very cheap, I stopped myself from buying them because I wanted the price to go down before I bought it. It didn't! Well, there was a 20% off at one time but seriously... 20% only? If you are talking 50% and above I would have snatched you out of the shelf, but no, 20%, no way! In the end, I just didn't like those shoes anymore.
Also, you can get to know other brands like Salvatore Ferragamo and Christian Louboutin (that is in the shoe category), and stay up to date with the latest fad. However, Vincci plus ain't gonna fool me with red soles resembling Christian Louboutin, but there are Salvatore Ferragamo type of ballerina flats that you can get that is a classic.

4. Patience is really a virtue
I know how it feels when you see someone wearing the latest fashion on the streets and you absolutely LOVE it. It is as if the girl just snatched them from the runway and decided to flaunt it off on the sidewalk. When you go shopping, it makes you want to buy the latest fashion too. But wait! Be patient. What you think may be a fashion LURVE may be just a fashion flop. You would not want to buy something that is only in fashion for two or three months. What you need is a classic and a flattering classic too. If the style prevails, then you can always get it when the BIG SALE comes along. It is worth it when you get to know that other people are paying more than double than what you are paying for.
The oxfords that I want to own? Well, I am still waiting and searching for it. If I can't get it for a good price, then I won't get it!
Well, my mom says the price will drop...so I'll get it when it does...

5. Limiting your wallets' abilities
My friends often ask me,'What are you going to do with six bucks in you wallet? I thought we were going shopping??'
Yes, I sure am going shopping, but I ain't buying anything more than six bucks! With limited money, you choice is limited and you do not need to be so 'rambang mata' about what you want to buy.
With the six bucks, I bought a pair of earrings from Forever 21.
Of course, there were many other nice earrings that cost RM19 and RM29 or RM39 but my RM5 earrings look nice too, and it definitely looks like it costs more than RM5!
I am not suggesting that you go out with RM6 everytime you shop, but give yourself a limit. I do bring RM100 or more on certain shopping occasions. I feel like a math whiz sometimes when I go shopping. Haha.

6. When in doubt, come back for it later. If it is gone, then you were not meant to get it!
When my mom first used it on me, I didn't get it. I mean, if you like it, GET IT!!! Why wait? Sometimes, when I really like a pair of shoes or a blouse or anything buy-able, I just buy it and later, I regret. I have bought shoes that I regret buying, clothes that I eventually didn't wear and gave it to other people. Sooooo, even when everything is on sale and it looks SOOOO GOOD, just hold your horses.
What I do is I pray. I would tell God, 'Lord, if this shoe is meant to be mine, please let it be available when I come back on whatever day I am coming back to the mall...' If it is, I would buy it, and I would still like it. Sometimes, when I come back, I find that it is not that fantastic after all and I am glad I didn't buy it and at other times, it's gone, and so, I go elsewhere.

7. Search HIGH and low
When a store displays SALE, go in, and go through EVERTHING. The best bargains are usually hidden underneath a chunk of horrifically ugly clothes or stuffed between some really expensive ones. If you want great bargains, it takes time. Also, don't be to lazy to try. If it's cheap and if it looks not so nice, that does not mean it does not look nice on YOU! Try it, and you'll be amazed how some clothes that look horrible, make you look great!

8. DON'T forget about the PRICE TAG
I know Jessie J shares different views with me on this but hey, if you don't look at the price tag, you don't know how much you'll be paying for it!
Make it a habit to look at the price tag first. If it's what you can afford, try it. If not, PUT IT BACK, unless you know that you can't afford it and you are trying it for fun. That reason is excused. I know people who try things and if they like it, it's trouble because they will want to buy it.
For me, I ain't gonna try a top that is more than RM50. I will make it myself.
This simple habit of checking the price tag will help you make wiser decisions. If it is more than your budget, don't try it! Why tempt yourself?

9. Markets or Malls
My vote would be for malls. I do go to the market to take a look at what clothes they sell there and I tell you, of you follow the above instructions, you are going to get branded items, with nicer seams, and a decent place to try your clothes, and at a cheaper price, than at the market. No joke. Maybe it's just Penang and KL but from my shopping experiences, there are more bargains in malls than markets... unless you are in Bangkok I suppose.
Of course, it is great if you know which outlets are offering more bargains. Take for example, Parkson. You have them in Penang and KL, but do you know that there is a Parkson outlet in Sungei Wang that sells unbelievably cheap Sisley and United Colours of Benetton stuff? And I mean REALLY CHEAP like, RM10 for a top. Of course it is not of the latest fashion but hey, it's your personal style that matters.

10. Mental checklist
There are many many many many nice things out there at the malls and more often than not, I wish I had a million dollars to spend on the shoes I am lusting after. Earth to Rachel Yeoh, and I find myself with RM20 in my wallet. Don't use 'BUY ONLY WHAT YOU NEED' because seriously, you don't need anything that is in the mall, you already have clothes at home, and you are only lying to yourself when you say you need this top of this pair of shoes. Ask, ' Do I have anything similar to this?', or 'Do I already have anything in this colour?' and if it is a yes, put it DOWN. Also, touch the material! Know what is quality. I don't know how people can spend on GAP in Malaysia. It may be cheap in America but come on, a normal shirt and it is more than RM100, and the material is like crappy. Well, if you are rich then go on and buy them.
This is a tough one to apply but practice makes perfect. By doing this, you are also learning to be contented with what you already have. Lately, I have been stopping myself from buying any clothes because I simply have enough. My cupboard in Kampar and Penang is like vomiting out clothes. A natural disaster (avalanche) happens every other day and for the first time in MY LIFE, I told my mother, 'I have enough clothes for now.'
I think her heart leaped for joy when she heard it and when I came back from Kampar, I find a new blouse waiting for me in her sewing room.
A present for being contented? I would like to think so. =)

Here is to all the shopaholics, may we be filled with wisdom when we go shopping!