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).

34% OFF: Takada Waffle Maker from RM59

I've often seen Takada on offer from deep fryers to waffle makers. The latter is at 35% off although other products of this brand are often 50% off.

I know nothing about electrical appliances but I am conscious of brands here. I'm not talking about Kenwood or Harvey Norman. At least a Panasonic which is part of the market standard. Pensonic on the other hand, doesn't last (what do you think?).

Anybody has experience using Takada?

Give me a 50% discount on Philips and now we're talking.

PreWedding PhotoShoot Packages - Do they really live it up?

I've seen a number of pre-wedding photo-shoot packages up for grabs at deal sites, as have you. My question is:

Do these deals really live up to their promises?

That's important  because nobody likes to be misled. I love to buy from the internet but I don't love getting my product/service different from what is pictured on the site. What makes the seller think that it's OK to post one thing (namely pictures) and provide another thing (goods/services)?

The promise must MATCH against the product/service.  

Honesty is truly the best policy here. Regardless of the price.

Please quit posting touched-up photos or photos that are styled for a photoshoot meant for a PR campaign. Unless you are in the business of selling coffee table books, give us REAL LIFE photos that show us exactly the product/service we will get should we buy. WYSIWYG.

(Unless you are aiming for negative PR. It's still PR, isn't it?)

I especially mean fashionable dresses worn by Korean models (mostly seen in local fashion portals and local fashion sites). It's good to see it on a real person but no good if she'd twisted around her waist too much. And the images are really noisy. I'm no photographer so what do we call it; grainy? What we need are closeups of the real thing that shows us the material and hems. And it's no good allowing us to zoom in if the image quality is so low in the first place that zooming in makes no difference.

Take note from Zalora.

Some people have done it with cheap clothes. Now don't do it with dining or photo-shoot packages.

How Local Business Owners can BeefUp their Deals for Kids

Here are my pet peeves:

• No classes on Sundays
• Good only for 1 month

I thought classes for kids fall under the service category; i.e B to C. Since this isn't a B to B business, I don't expect the only classes held are during working/office hours. Even more importantly:

There ought to be classes on Sundays.

Oh, sure. I've heard of:

"Parents don't want classes on Sundays".

Not all parents, though.

Here's another substantial improvement that business owners (you are in business, aren't you and that this isn't merely a hobby) can commit to these deals. Offer the following options (LivingSocial has done it this way before):

1. Option A - 4 Lessons to be completed in 1 month
2. Option B - 8 Lessons to be completed in 2 months
3. Option C - 12 Lessons to be completed in 3 months

 That makes the offer much more solid and less run-of-the-mill, don't you think?

50% OFF: RM100 Cash Voucher for 'Australian Wagyu & Premium Rib-Eye Steak' at S Kitchen for RM50

It's a cash voucher deal but here are the restrictions, verbatim:

"Minimum order of 200g for Australian wagyu 7 is required."
In other words, you need to buy 2 vouchers at RM100 altogether.

"Limit 2 Groupons per receipt."

"Min. 2 days prior booking required. Bookings subject to availability."

Can anyone feedback if the steaks come exactly as pictured on Groupon?

50% OFF: RM20 Cash Voucher for 'Pan Mee, Fried Chicken, Nasi Lemak & Yo Yo Ping' for RM10

Cash vouchers are usually great deals until you check out the conditions, if any.

Yo Yo Ping is a cafe style restaurant selling a variety of pan mee and nasi lemak. Crispy fried chicken is available too. Yo Yo Ping actually refers to ice-blended drinks, of which there are 6 flavours to choose from.

Pan mee costs RM5.80 per bowl and the last few times I tried it out at Setia Alam, the taste is OK. So the soup is alright. Like many eateries, there's a lack of toppings such as slivers of mushrooms and minced pork. There is pork alright just no minced pork in addition to that (the standard pork). There isn't a lot of mee in the bowl either. Unless you are on a diet, I'd say a bowl is not filling for a grown-up.

Why do they skimp on the flour mee?

So you can add a side dish of (wing/thigh/breast/drumstick) fried chicken from RM2.80 to RM3.30 per piece. It's crispy and hot.

Many people order a drink of Yo Yo Ping to go with their meals at RM2.80. You may alternatively order iced Chinese herbal tea.

It's a simple one-page menu but don't you be hasty for the bottom half page doesn't count for this cash voucher. That's right. You may order only pan mee, nasi lemak and Yo Yo Ping with this cash voucher. Fried chicken and other beverages are not included.

I'd like to enjoy my steaming hot bowl of pan mee with crispy hot fried chicken so this feels restrictive. I don't think cash vouchers should ever feel restrictive. I suppose I can order both and pay in cash as well as voucher.

Why is fried chicken excluded?

The menu isn't extensive, as it is. This is otherwise a good deal.




* You can order 'nasi lemak with chicken' (RM5.50) but I'm not sure if it's fried. So what's it gonna be? Pan mee and 'nasi lemak with chicken'??

* This cash voucher is valid at both outlets from 11am up to 7pm (for Setia Alam outlet) and 9pm (for Kota Kemuning outlet).

* Would the owner please turn up the air-cond? I love my pan mee to be steaming hot but not my goodself (to be streaming hot).

* Prices listed here are actual menu prices.

Dukes & Duchess (TTDI) VS Sakura Kristal (Setia City Mall)

Dukes & Duchess ran quite a few deals on Groupon from 2012 to 2013. It's typically half off aka RM32 for two people.

Typically; one platter of pork burger with fries and salad plus a bowl of soup for each person. Sounds like a really good deal until you try out the food for yourself:

“SUPER DRY pork ribs and pork burgers”

Chinese blog translated to English - Funny!

So reminds me of Sakura Kristal (Setia City Mall) LivingSocial.my deal. The restaurant was nice (classy); you could sit indoors and enjoy the dim lighting. Or sit out with a roof overhead and a view of a small fountain not far on a fully paved ground.

The food was not so nice; in both quality and quantity. I promise you will leave the place with a nagging sense of hunger that you came to fulfil but failed to. The meat (mix grill and salmon fish) looks like it's been cut in half. And I don't know if it's over-cooked or not, but the meat is definitely unjuicy. It's a sure thing you won't not notice.

Honestly, what's the chef doing? Shouldn't he still be apprenticing under a real chef? Maybe a hotel is a better place for him as long as it serves buffet with food the kind no one cares for.

It's cash voucher but the staff says it's only valid for ala carte orders. This isn't stated anywhere on the LivingSocial.my deal page. I called up the restaurant and happened to found out.

You don't have to book your place at Sakura Kristal. It's instant redemption. Dukes & Duchess on the other hand, wants you to book online first. They allot approx. 10 pax per hour per day from 11am to 5pm.

47% OFF: 3 Regular 9" 'Family Favourite Pizzas' for RM37 at All Pizza Hut Restaurants - Takeaway Only

I don't know if you're still deciding between Domino and Pizza Hut.

All I know is that right now, Groupon is running a Pizza Hut deal for almost half price if you buy 3 regular 9" pizzas under the the 'Family Favourites' heading in the Pizza Hut menu.

This is a great deal but it's only good for working days. That's Monday to Friday excluding public holidays. Also make no mistake that it's for takeaway only. No delivery nor dining-in.

(I'm guessing there are folks out there with muddled minds taking takeaway for delivery.) Don't say I never said.

One more thing: This deal is going to last for 1 more day only.

Another thing: Over 7,000 vouchers sold.

*13/11Update: Over 8,000 vouchers sold.
*14/11Update: Over 10,000 vouchers sold.
*22/11Update: Over 15,000 vouchers sold.

33% OFF: Kellogg's LCM 'Crispy Puffed Rice Snack Bars' for RM36 (4 Boxes x 12 Bars/Box)

Everybody has heard of Kellogg's cereals, right? I grab it if it's on discount in Tesco.

But hold on, it's not the loose cereals we're gong to talk about. It's cereals in the shape of a bar. Now I don't think this is a product that I've seen in Tesco. Has anybody seen this selling anywhere?

However, it's selling on Groupon right now for the next 4 days at RM36 for a total of 4 boxes x 12 Bars/Box = 48 bars. That's less than a ringgit per bar.

Actually, it's RM0.76/Bar.

It's a definite bargain. And that's because it's expiring on Feb 10, 2014.

I quote here, verbatim:

"Delivery begins Dec 4, 2013, and you will receive your product(s) by Dec 13, 2013."

That leaves you approx. 2 months to enjoy your healthy bars before they expire. You can choose from 4 flavours including one with choc chips.



* I clicked on the 'company website'. It's pretty useless with small print and no prices.