A Lifetime Worth of Photobooks at a Total Value of RM30,000

They've gone bonkers. They have.

Haven't you heard?? Psst...

The good people of Photobook Malaysia has extended THE deal not because of insufficient buyers but because they want to reach the 200,000 mark of Groupons sold!

And I haven't even gone to the really good part. You think that was bonkers? Wait till you hear this:

"We've decided to take it up a notch further and will be rewarding the 200,000th purchaser of this deal with a lifetime worth of Photobooks! Yes, you heard right, a LIFETIME! Now we're talking."

You're talking man. And I'm hanging on to every word for... dear... life.

FOR THE LIFE OF ME:

"The 200,000th lucky customer who purchase the Groupon deal will receive 200 free Photobooks of varying sizes from our most premium professional books, large debossed books, all the way to our most recently launched mini square softcover books, with total value of RM30,000!!"

EXCUSE ME, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE TO DO FIRST: SHOULD I CATCH MY BREATH FIRST OR SHOULD I WRITE THIS POST FIRST THE BEST I CAN WHATEVER HAPPENS?



Did I manage to come out that alive?

Apparently, I did. (Even though I said it all in ONE breath.)

You know, I was thinking all this while that I'm gonna create a photobook of the cute kids in my family. But just yesterday, I had another thought.

I could take the few (black and white) photos I have of some family members and scan them. Know of anyone who took limited photos in their lifetimes? What about photos when they were younger? They haven't really gone digital but they sure can flip through a book and see how their family has evolved over three to four generations.

This is a book that includes members who have connected with the larger part of themselves. We're all in this together.

This will be a priceless gift to them and me.

Now where did I get this inspiration? Must be from the folks who were inspired to run a RM0 deal who were then further inspired to UP their own record. It's a race to the top!

Photobook Malaysia + Groupon.my = Marriage made in heaven

But I'm already happy with my book.

I have a lot of books but this will beat them all. It will be a book that will be passed down.

20% OFF: Buy Tesco Online RM150 Cash Voucher for RM120

The first time I heard Tesco was going online, I was elated. I mean, I'm a fan of Tesco and I love to shop online. Now you're telling me I can also shop Tesco online? Doesn't get better than this.

Oh, wait. It does.

Did I mention I also love deal sites?

It's now Tesco online + Groupon.

I'm stoked. But I wish it's more.

First of all, it's RM10 per delivery and of course, it can be covered by the cash voucher. Your shopping basket has to be at least RM150 (excluding delivery fee). It it's less, you will not be refunded. If it's more, you pay the difference with a credit/debit card. No cash.

(Even Zalora does COD via TaQbin.)

So this is essentially a 20% discount. I understand that this is a hypermarket selling essentials (pun intended).

It's also for first time Tesco online customers only.

You can plan your purchase up to 3 weeks in advance and change your order online anytime up to 11pm one day prior to delivery date. The prices you pay for your purchases are the same prices found in physical Tesco stores on the date of delivery.

Deliveries occur in 2-hour slots from 10am to 10pm. You need to book your delivery slot.

Don't worry, this isn't a run-off-the-mill online shop like Jusco with nothing but hampers for sale. Even Parkson has improved substantially. There is a wide variety of products at Tesco's eshop (that's what they call it. Chuckle!)



* If you're sharp, you'd notice that I'd contradicted myself on one point in this post. If you didn't notice, it don't matter.

* I'm tickled by the temperature-controlled Tesco delivery van with baskets (in Tesco's signature royal blue, no less) neatly stacked up in steel-framed tiers.

100% OFF: 40 Page Personalised Photobook from 'Photobook Malaysia' for RM0

This has to be one of the best deals of all time!

The proof is in the pudding - Over 133,000 vouchers sold!

The deal

Who can resist a deal that costs nothing? Oh, OK; RM0.

This is really a 20 sheet photobook with both sides utilised. So that makes it 40 pages. (Is it 170 or 190gsm/pg?)

The product is free but shipping isn't. You pay Groupon nothing to buy this voucher but you pay the merchant a shipping of RM8/book (for 6" x 6" soft-cover mini-book and west Malaysians) upon redeeming the voucher. The original price of the book is RM79.

What I think

"This is such an easy deal. I know it's free but shipping isn't so I got my card ready anyway. Before I knew it, I purchased the voucher without having keyed in my card details. Then it hit me; I don't even need a card! Not right now. Duh!"

 

The limitations

And I have until 19 May 2014 to redeem it. That's the expiry date stated on the (deal page and) voucher itself.

Rather than redeeming the Groupon voucher at the merchant's directly like we used to, you first have to convert this Groupon voucher into a Photobook voucher. This form is not very robust but it works. If you have submitted the 1st time successfully and you submit it a 2nd time (because you didn't know it went through the first time), it will tell you that your voucher code is invalid. That's because you've already converted it.

If it did go through, you'll receive an email from Photobook Malaysia instantly. (So check your email before you panic.) This email gives you your unique photobook voucher code that you will need to redeem your product.

Have fun designing!

I know you were jumping up and down the first time you saw this deal. I don't blame you. Only that, there is a learning curve but it isn't hard. It should be easy for a lot of people.

The 'photobook designer' is free to download. Install it into your computer. Oh, this isn't one of your inadequate local sites. It's much more professional than that. Consult the quick guide before you start to play around with the software.

It's point and click, of course. You aren't expected to design from scratch. You only need to select the photos you wanna use (your own photos, you noob!). Design wise, your choices are laid out for you. You only need to click (and maybe drag) to select the page layout, background, etc.



* Don't get the two mixed up. Convert the Groupon voucher into a photobook voucher first. Next, redeem the photobook voucher at the merchant's site. Do this anytime before 19 May 2014.

* You'll need to pay the shipping fee when you checkout at the merchant's site. You won't be able to checkout if you've not uploaded your photobook (that you designed).

* Update: Fast approaching 150K vouchers sold!

50%-70% OFF: RM50 Rakuten Cash Voucher for RM20

I like cash vouchers, don't you? Just don't be too restrictive with your offers, business owners.

At first, I find it silly that Rakuten should offer a cash voucher deal on Groupon when they are having sales. Why? You can't use these cash vouchers on sale items.

On second thoughts, they probably do this on purpose.

Now it's 50% off on ALL Rakuten items!

It's useful, come to think of it.

Are you a book lover? Now you can get Amy Tan's bestselling 'The Joy Luck Club' at RM17.45 after 50% off. (I'm just illustrating here so don't knock me off by saying you've read it ages ago. Me too. Only I didn't read the parts in the middle.) You can filter by the author. Smart.

(Don't you love getting books half off when they always give 10% to 15% off. Don't tell me otherwise.)

Fiction carries the most books. At over 100. Children's books come next at 75 books.

I think I got carried away. Here's why:

1. This voucher comes in denominations of RM50 each so you can only use it for a product that is at least RM55. (Filter on the left sidebar for items ranging RM55 to the limit you'd spend.)
2. You can only use 1 Groupon/product.
3. You can use it to cover shipping cost. (But I don't see how this matter, considering the above two restrictions.)

 I love how you can drill down, and down some more.

However, there's room for improvement:

1. Let us 'add to wishlist' without having to click through the product.
2. Give us the option to browse through100 items at a time.
3. Why are the images so lo-res?
4. Let the filters we set (number of items and relevance/lowest price, etc.) remain even though we click to a different category, until we change it ourselves.

Take note from Zalora!

And other shopping portals can take note from Rakuten. Run a 50% - 70% off voucher deal on Groupon!



* Maybe I'm wrong. But I believe this is the first time an online shopping portal is running a cash voucher deal. I love how deal sites force merchants to think more innovatively and competitively!

55% OFF: Ceutical Face Ampoule (10 Vials/Box * 2 Boxes) for RM48

The Deal

From Groupon:

Ministry of Health-approved cosmetic products.

Five ampoule choices that reduce eye pouches, reduce blackheads, regulate sebum secretion and pH balance, regulate oil glands, or brighten complexion.

This works out to RM2.40/Vial.

Expires in Sep 2014. Sounds like a great deal!

Copy the Bridal Store's makeup artist 

You know what the bridal store charges for 1 box of 10 vials, ten years ago? RM130. That works out to RM13/Vial! (There may be different varieties of ampoules leading to varying prices; you tell me.) They didn't sell ampoules per se. They inform you that you can add-on this to your package at a discount of at least 50% (I'm talking about the ampoules of course).

The makeup artist uses this as a face primer prior to applying powder/foundation on your face. It makes a visible difference. It's the difference from course to smooth. I know it's ironic but powder applies easier and stays better on a smoother surface.

How to Use Ampoules

Oh, you're supposed to use up the 3ml vial in 3 days to avoid contamination because you can't really close it back. (But you already know this if you are a beauty junkie.) It's disposable. I suppose keeping it in the fridge will help.

Your next question is, how often to apply ampoule on your face? Not everyday. Maybe 3 times a week; the equivalent of 1 vial. Monitor your skin condition and respond accordingly.

Donate to the Victims of Typhoon Haiyan for RM10 / RM25 / RM50

The first time I chanced on donation group buys was on a deal site other than Groupon. I was pleasantly surprised and thought it a good idea.

Well, Groupon has finally caught up and so far, over 3,000 Groupons are sold and counting!



* 17/11 Update: Over 5,000 vouchers sold!
* 22/11 Update: Over 8,000 vouchers sold!

34% OFF: Sharp Air Purifier for RM389

Some people are concerned of their kids' coughing and nose blockages and wonder if air-purifiers will do the trick.

I have a Sharp air-purifier and I know it works because when you fart, the light indicator turns red almost immediately. The machine simultaneously works louder while the air is being purified. In a while, the light returns to its normal colour to indicate that the air quality is restored.

And you don't have to fart right in front of the clever appliance. Just nearby; obviously in the same room.

Come CNY when people go crazy with fire-crackers so much so that you can smell the smoke in your room even though all door and windows are shut, the light turns red again. If I remember correctly.

Beyond this, I can't say if having an air-purifyer will decrease the likelihood of your kids' nose/throat ailments.



* There's an argument on the feasibility of an RM4K Amway air purifier. Maybe I'm another ignorant !@?%*, but I tend to think that it's twice overpriced. They let you try it out for a week but I'm not buying (in both senses of the word).