This one is for all the discount / loyalty cards fans! Or if you are into personal-care shopping… on a regular basis.
In some countries, discount programmes like coupons and cut-outs might be more popular. In Singapore, the members-only or loyalty plastic card (and the pursuit of accumulating points) attract its fair share of followers.
From what I’ve observed, personal care stores in Singapore have traditionally offered in-store discounts, when it comes to discounts & sales. On special occasions (usually public holidays), they sometimes offer extra discounts (usually 10%-20%).
Of course, shoppers with a little extra time like me (and a growing sensitivity towards price) will quickly discover which items are available at which stores, and which items are better priced, at which stores.
E.g. Guardian is the place i go to for medications – there is usually a pharmacist available, and they can offer advice on med brands, side-effects and treatments. Hm. maybe i should do a more detailed entry on personal care shops, but i’ll keep to the main topic in this one.
Personally to me, it matters not the form of the discount (be it coupons, mobile text messages or loyalty cards), but the fact that there are discounts.
A $2 discount? Big deal. It’s not even half-off.
Actually, it is a good deal. Do the math.
Most basic personal items like shampoo or toothpaste do not generally cost more than $20 per item, so that’s at least 10% in savings. It’s all about stretching the dollar – save a dollar here and here, and throw in that little something you fancied for yourself.
So now, finally, back to the loyalty programmes.
At Watsons, the Watsons Card can be bought for $5 to accumulate points (1 point for every $5 spent) at any Watsons outlet. Accumulated points are used as cash equivalent in the subsequent purchase at Watsons (20 points for $1 off). Points are valid for 1 year. Members also get a range of discounts on stuff – mainly cosmetics, but i did spot discounts for KFC vouchers. Compared with the Guardian’s current stamp redemption (below), it is easier to accumulate stamps/points at Watsons. You can also redeem double points on special occasions (e.g. birthdays), and for quite a number of items that could fall under your necessary list.
I like instant gratification. Plus the fact that the points are redeemable for cash makes it sweeter than redeeming for something you don’t really need.
Speaking of redeeming stamps for items…
At Guardians, there is a current stamp redemption scheme for a Villeroy & Boch bathroom set (5 piece).
It’s one of those things – don’t really need a(nother) bathroom set, but this one is lovely! I can see how it would look smashing in my bathroom (although someone did point out that our 2-year old could do an equally smashing job with these breakable beauties).
Still, the accumulation of points looks to be slow for me… at 1 stamp for every $20 spent, to get the set for free will cost at least $900 (45 stamps). There are some items that offer bonus stamps (like 5 items?), but somehow i don’t see myself spending that kind of $ on my usual purchases from this store brand, even if i completely re-stocked the meds shelf… the promotion started in Jun and ends in Oct. Of course, i could just purchase the set…
Just redeemed my Giant supermarket points for 2 knives, and now…
