During the weekend, I popped into a Guardian pharmacy and popped out clutching a Neutrogena Deep Cleansing lotion makeup remover that comes well recommended by Kahani.
Part of the reason lay in the fact I’d been wanting to try it ever since reading the raves all over but the other part lay in the fact that the price of a 200ml bottle was marked down to RM19.88.
Considering it usually retails for RM22.90 or thereabouts, it wasn’t a hefty saving. Yet, it seemed to tell me “Hey! I’m a great deal you’d miss out on if you don’t pick me up right NOW!”
I didn’t quite “need” it, but it was a good price to try it at – all RM3 saving of it.
It made me wonder just how much my purchases were influenced by their prices or by whether they are on sale or on discount.
For luxury goods, a small percentage of discount may translate into huge savings in terms of dollars so in those situations I find it easier to be swayed by a discount or sale. On the other hand, if its a drugstore/pharmacy item I’m less likely to be swayed by a sale or discount unless I’m running out of an item and wouldn’t mind restocking at a lower price. Or in the case of the Neutrogena, because I’d like to try something and get the thrill of not having to pay “full price” 😉 Fortunately, makeup remover is always something I can use and will finish up so its not like its a waste.. or that impulsive a buy.
Incidentally the 2 month long Malaysia Megasale Carnival has started in Malaysia and the Great Singapore Sale has been going on for a while now in Singapore.
I haven’t been checking out the sales to my consternation. Have you? And Have your recent purchases been influenced by the sales or discounts you’re getting?
Stay beautiful
Paris B
Jean says
July 7, 2009 at 9:42 amYes, I’m totally influenced by the discounts!
When something is on sale, but I dun really need it, I might make some excuses (such as “I might need it later”) to buy it..
I have no time to check out the sales yet, but I’ll totally try to avoid it!
ParisB says
July 8, 2009 at 9:48 amHi Jean
Not to worry I’m sure you aren’t in the minority! I haven’t checked out the sales myself.
prettybeautiful says
July 7, 2009 at 9:53 ami am quite easily influenced by the sales too =/ always end up buying something that i think i ‘might’ need later when i really will never need it. now my new philosopher is: if i dont need this today, i wont need this in few months time too. it helps alot!
ParisB says
July 8, 2009 at 9:47 amHey prettybeautiful
That’s a good philosophy… unless its a staple and its cheap eh? 😉
Jenn says
July 7, 2009 at 10:25 amSame here!! It’s the thrill of getting something cheaper than retail that compels me to buy!! I know i know, i need help! lol!! 😀
ParisB says
July 8, 2009 at 9:46 amHey Jenn
Haha… cheaper than retail – thats the line that sucks us all in eh?
fiza says
July 7, 2009 at 10:50 amhi paris,
i just bought loreal’s makeup remover (there are 3 variants, i picked up the cashmere milk) yesterday, then i read ur review today !!! should i read it earlier, i might pick up neutrogena instead. price wise, loreal is much expensive by RM6. performance wise, not sure yet as i’ve only use it for only one time.
anyone has used this makeup remover? care to write any review?
ParisB says
July 8, 2009 at 9:45 amHi Fiza
I’ve only used L’oreal’s eye and lip makeup remover (the blue and clear liquid one) I’ve only been trying the Neutrogena for a couple of days. Too early to say how good/bad it is 🙂 I’ll review it in a week or two
Nikki says
July 7, 2009 at 10:58 amOh PB! is this post made especially for me? LOL I just posted about my heated lash curler which I purchased just because it was on sale and realizing I don’t really need it!
ParisB says
July 8, 2009 at 9:45 amHi Nikki
Haha… call it a coincidence 😉
Connie says
July 7, 2009 at 12:54 pmI used to buy something just because it’s cheap! but now no longer. I’d rather save up to buy something that I really want instead. every ringgit counts! But i do slip occasionally. can’t really remember what I last bought that was influenced by discount…. hmmm….
ParisB says
July 8, 2009 at 9:44 amHi Connie
I’d still buy if its cheap if its something I want to try. Otherwise, I usually pass. You are a good girl then not to be swayed by discounts 😉
Li says
July 7, 2009 at 1:28 pmIf it’s regular items, like you, I won’t be swayed much, especially since I just remember back to when my bathroom was cluttered with a million products and all of them never or barely used.
But for special sale items especially for branded goods, I find it’s a good investment, but I still stick to things that are “classic” rather than fashionable. Picked up some tops from KLCC from the “branded” stores that were 50 – 70% off, to me it’s pretty worth it because the cutting is quite different from the cheaper brands.
Oh, and I totally bought an expensive bag for the first time in my life thanks to your post on shopbop, so I guess I am swayed by sales on certain things!!
ParisB says
July 8, 2009 at 9:43 amHi Li
Uhoh I didn’t help you did I? LOL… which bag did you buy?! Did you get the extra 25% off?
LyNn says
July 7, 2009 at 2:21 pmdiscounts and sales often gets to me
even when i don’t need the product
if its highly raved and i’ve alil wants for it
i would tell myself its now or never
🙁
ParisB says
July 8, 2009 at 9:43 amHi Lynn
Aww… most of us are like that but if you get it at a sale and it works for you, its a great buy right? 😉
Sylvia says
July 7, 2009 at 2:54 pmWarehouse sales, discounts, PWP, GWP & promotional vouchers really suck me in. Bloggers raving too. I’ll buy by the bulk. However, I am never swayed by tv and radio advertisement or roadshows.
ParisB says
July 8, 2009 at 9:42 amHi Sylvia
That’s strange – most people get sucked in by TV ads 🙂 I guess brands might want to take note of the changing perceptions
Amanda says
July 7, 2009 at 3:36 pmIf it’s something I’m using regularly, I’ll buy 🙂
ParisB says
July 8, 2009 at 9:41 amHi Amanda
Yep! Me too. I usually succumb when I see my sunscreen going on a good sale price because it rarely does.
kerry says
July 7, 2009 at 7:34 pmyou had a gd buy here! i bought it at S$15 watson’s. pretty happy with it. cleans away makeup gently w/o irritation =)
ParisB says
July 8, 2009 at 9:41 amHi Kerry
Ooh that IS a good price I got eh? Glad to know it works well
Shaz says
July 7, 2009 at 7:45 pmI buy based on product benefits instead of price. This way of shopping keeps me from buying things I don’t need or wouldn’t use.
ParisB says
July 8, 2009 at 9:40 amHi Shaz
Thats a good tip. Unless I see a really good deal I can’t pass up 🙂
Shay says
July 7, 2009 at 8:39 pmI buy a lot of things to “stand-by”. I have a lot of stuff which I don’t need. I hope I will be able to finish them one day. 😀
ParisB says
July 8, 2009 at 9:40 amHi Shay
LOL that used to be me too… until I realised standby usually means its never used so now I only buy when I need.
Ju says
July 8, 2009 at 12:15 amcare to do a review about this neutrogena product PB?
ParisB says
July 8, 2009 at 9:39 amHi Ju
I’ll do that once I’ve used it for a bit 🙂 Watch this space!
eliza says
July 8, 2009 at 10:06 amsometimes easily “trick” into the discount sales >.<
one side of me (the bad) says "buy now or regret; and left only a few!"
another side (the good) says "they sure have stock~! and sales often happens. Buy only when necessary and needed…."
and it goes on and on and on……
ParisB says
July 8, 2009 at 6:17 pmHey Eliza
Hey that’s the retailers job! To make us feel bad so don’t 😉 So long as you can justify it one way or another hehe.
Tine says
July 9, 2009 at 10:19 amCan’t remember how much junk I bought just because it was on sale 😛