Here’s a heads up for a sale you don’t want to miss: Topshop and related brands, Topman, Dorothy Perkins and Miss Selfridge have started their end of season sale, and you will find items discounted up to 50%! What’s more, Citibank and F3 cardholders enjoy a further 10%! Until 18 July 2010.

The sale has begun at OG with 20% discounts and an exclusive launch of Toy Story 3 merchandise. Plus, if you are an American Express card member, you will earn 5x rewards points on your purchase. Also, every $30 purchase in a single receipt entitles you to enter the draw to win cars, cash and other prizes. Check out the official sale page for more details. Now till 13 June 2010.

Love the Club21 style? Then here’s a good reason to shop at their outlets from now till 15 June 2010: with every $350 spent in a single receipt, you will be rewarded with a $50 Club21 Style Cheque. This promotion is only open to payments made with UOB credit and debit cards. As always, terms and conditions apply.

If you’re not a UOB cardholder, you might be interested to check out the Club21 Bazaar, 28 to 30 May 2010. Brands such as Betula, Donna Karan, ck Calvin Klein, Jill Sander, Mulberry and many more will be offered at clearance prices, of up to 80% off the usual retail price. The sale opens on 28 May exclusively for Club21 and HSBC cardholders and is open to public from 29 May onwards, details as follows-

Event Details:

Date:

28 May : Preview Sale
10am – 8pm : Club 21 Members & HSBC Premier & Platinum Card
1pm – 8pm : All HSBC Credit Cardholders

29 – 31 May : Open to Public

Venue: Pit Building, Republic Boulevard

Kindly note that there will NOT be any Club21 Bazaar Sale end May. Sorry for any inconvenience caused by the misinformation.

Open to the public starting today, the Robinsons sale is sure to have something for everyone be it fashion, beauty, homewares or children’s items. PLUS, if you are a OCBC Robinsons Visa Platinum or Robinsons cardmembers, you will get additional discounts of up to 70%! Terms and conditions apply.

A special deal for DBS/POSB cardmembers: the first 50 DBS/POSB cardmembers and 1 guest will enter the Hollywood Boulevard for free, from 7 – 9pm, every Friday and Saturday.

Note, the rides will not be operational at that time, but you can wine and dine in Hollywood style at KT’s Grill and Hollywood China Bistro, where you’ll also enjoy 10% off your bill. From now till 29 May 2010, see terms and conditions.

Check out also other dining deals from DBS.

How to Participate:

Step 1: Visit any AXS Station* or POSB FastPay.
Step 2: Select any bill payment or prepaid card top-up.
Step 3: Make at least S$50 payment using your DBS/POSB ATM or credit card.
Step 4: For first time participant, enter your NRIC, name and contact number. Subsequently, just enter your NRIC.
Promotion Period: 1st April 2010 – 31st January 2011

Terms and Conditions Apply

Here at GDS we make a daily effort to look out for the best bargains in town and to us, a deal is a really good deal when it’s at least 50% off the usual price. Of course these huge price reductions don’t come around so often, so when we do hear about, you can bet that we will be passing the word on to you.

Today we highlight a few credit/debit card promotions for 1-for-1 meal deals. These can really be excellent value for money, especially the expensive buffets! Check it out:

OCBC Dining Privileges:

1. Grand Park City Hall Indulge at Park, Tel: 6432 5888
1-for-1 Buffet Dinner (Sun – Thur)

2. Mandarin Orchard Singapore Triple Three, Tel: 6919 40/71
1-for-1 Buffet Lunch (Mon-Sat)/ Sunday Brunch

3. Pan Pacific Singapore Brunch Tel: 6826 8240
Cardmember Dines Free for Wok, Noodle & Skewer Nights (Fri & Sat Dinner)
Valid till 31 march 2010

4. Pan Pacific Singapore Global Kitchen Tel: 6826 8240
1-for-1 weekday dinner (Sun – Thurs)
1-for-1 Afternoon High Tea (Sat)
Cardmember Dines Free for Sunday Lunch
Cardmember Dines Free for Lobster Dinner Nights (Fri – Sat)
Valid till 31 march 2010

… and more OCBC offers like this.

UOB Dining Privileges:

1. Marina Mandarin Singapore Aquamarine & Ristorante Bologna, Tel: 6845 1111
1-for-1 weekday buffet lunch

2. Sentosa / One Fullerton iL Lido, Tel: 6866 1977 / Forlino, Tel: 6877 6995
1-for-1 set menus

3. Pan Pacific Singapore The Atrium, Tel: 6826 8240
1-for-1 afternoon tea
GLOBAL KITCHEN, Tel: 6826 8240
1-for-1 weekday dinner (Sun – Thu) and Saturday high tea

4. Holiday Inn Atrium Singapore Melting Pot Cafe, Tel: 6731 7172
1-for-1 buffet lunch and dinner
Tandoor North Indian Restaurant
1-for-1 a la carte Thali set lunch at $39++ (Mon to Fri)
1-for-1 Sunday Brunch at $42++

5. Swissôtel The Stamford Cafe Swiss, Tel: 6431 6156
1-for-1 semi lunch buffet and Sunday brunch

… and more UOB offers like this.

HSBC Dining Privileges:

1. One Fullerton Forlino, Tel: 6877 6995
1-for-1 Gourmet or Degustation set menu

2. Amici Authentic Itlaian Restaurant Tel: 6469 9989
1-for-1 set dinner

3. Sheraton Towers Singapore Lobby Bar, Tel: 6839 5625
1-for-1 English Afternoon Tea

4. Sakae Teppanyaki All outlets.
1-for-1 HSBC set menu

… and more HSBC offers like this.

Are you hungry already? Before you head out the door to indulge your appetite, remember: it’s always good to be an informed consumer, so be sure to read the terms and conditions and note the validity dates of these promotions (you can do so by clicking on the official links provided).

Happy eating!

And Here’s Why…

I recently picked up the habit of purchasing books online and the prices I got are usually cheaper than the local big bookstores. Most if not all of you reading this will probably think I will be suggesting Amazon for your book purchases. Not quite the case. No doubt Amazon as we know have a huge collection of books, but  if you are buying a single book, with the price of the book + shipping charges it just isn’t worth it.

Nope, not eBay either. I’m talking about Book Depository. When I first heard about it from a friend, my initial thought was probably the same as yours now: “Cheaper than Amazon? But do they have as many books?”. Yes and no for both questions and let me explain why:

When to use Book Depository (www.bookdepository.co.uk)
If you are looking to purchase books yourself, then Book Depository is going to be the cheapest. Simply because they offer free shipping worldwide and that includes Singapore. Let me do a comparison on a book that I bought recently “Lightroom 2″ by Scott Kelby:

• Amazon – $29.69(book) + $9.98(shipping) = US$39.67 x 1.45(currency rate) = S$57.52
• Book Depository – $36.10(book) + Free Shipping = US$36.10 x 1.45 = S$52.34
• Kinokuniya @ Takashimaya – S$68

*Note that I did not put up Borders prices as they are usually pricier than Kino’s ones (correct me if I’m wrong)

Let’s try buying 2 random books now – “The World is Flat” & “The Time’s Traveler’s Wife”:

• Amazon – $10.88 + $8.00 + $14.97(shipping) = US$33.85 x 1.45 = S$49.08
• Book Depository – $13.08 + $11.06 + Free Shipping = US$24.14 x 1.45 = S$35.00

Once again, Book Depository is cheaper after shipping charges. Also important to note, Book Depository doesn’t require you to sign up an account with them when you buy books from them, that is if you are worried about giving out your credit card number or disclosing your private data. Book Depository isn’t all perfect either, the range of books they have is a tad short of Amazon’s, but though that’s the case, I haven’t encounter a book that I can’t find on Book Depository yet.

When to use Amazon (www.amazon.com)
Now, the only time you should buy from Amazon is when some book authors give exclusive prices to Amazon. Across the history of my purchases on these 2 sites, I have come across a couple of books on Amazon that is ridiculously cheaper than Book Depository prices. Also a couple things you should watch out for,  new book releases and hardcovers on Book depository seem to be a whole lot more expensive.

One more option to buy from Amazon is when you have friends buying books together, for example when you purchase 3 or more books splitting up the shipping charges with friends, you can get away with cheaper totals compared to Book Depository. Depending on the books you buy.

Downside of Amazon & Book Depository
Finally do consider these when you are purchasing books online:

• You run the risk of damaged books.
• Long delivery times especially from Amazon, sometimes it takes up to a month. Book Depository is faster, usually within a week to two.
• USD currency rates, I find that bank rates are sometimes lousier than Paypal ones. Book Depository offers direct credit card or Paypal, Amazon only direct credit card.
• Cash rebates on your credit cards, the more rebates the more savings so use those.
• Borders Singapore sometimes do offer really attractive coupons like 30% discount or 3 books for price of 2.

Ultimately, what I’m trying to put across here is this: Decide on the books you wish to purchase, compare prices on both sites before buying. And if you can’t wait to read the book or afford to wait for a couple weeks to a month, purchase it conveniently at Borders or Kinokuniya. Both mega bookstores have really friendly staff and will assist you to look for your books if you approach them.

If you own a POSB Everyday Card and intend to go Carrefour this coming weekend you are in luck! Carrefour is giving you a 10% discount for all your purchases from groceries to electronics!

From 18-21st Sept 2009, so mark your todo list and don’t miss it!

Offer Ends 5th August!

The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon is here again! Registration is now open. Enjoy the Early Bird registration fee from now till 5 August 2009. Check out the rest of the promotions too from the official website. The race starts Sunday, 6 December 2009.