Last Friday it was the mad chaotic hyped release of the iphone 4 here. Because of the population here in Perth, there weren't that many doing the camp out as compared to the other cities and countries. I reckon this is apple's way of selling their prod. Hype it up so much, bring in the minimal amount of products so you get people backlisting an order, then release the intended amount after a few weeks. Its extremely intelligent marketing, even better than Louis Vuitton or Chanel in terms of product awareness, advertising and very clever retailing.

I foresee the iphone as the phones of the future. More and more entities are creating, releasing or selling iphone applications. Oh and the number of iphones around is a tell tale sign. On the train last week, out of the 10 people surrounding me 6 were clutching an iphone. The rest were a blackberry, 2 nokias and a samsung.

I'm not iphone bashing, rather just musing over the global phenomena that Apple has cleverly created. Because see, I tried putting in an order for the next shipment and got rejected at 3 Telcos. All said they are not taking any orders as previous experience perchanced that when they did, people didn't show up for it. 1 guy told me to wait a month and thigns should g back to normal. Back to normal? Ahhh...So in the meantime, I am expected to check in on an almost daily basis for the next week or so till they come in, because they will still be sold at limited numbers and on a first come first serve basis.

I wonder if Singapore has this sort of bullsh1t. But I have much better things to do for the next few weeks and one of them so happens to be renewing my passport. The high comm here directed that I could renew my passport online, when I went to the website, it clearly stated there I couldn't if I was overseas. Rang the high comm, they said to ignore that phrase and nominate them as the receiver. I wonder if they had a B.A for this process, because its just not clean or professional to contradict a public tool. You'd think!

Oh and is it only me that thinks ipad is a very unfortunate name for the product? Why not itab/islate..anything other than something you'd put in between your legs once a month.

Ok enough yarning.... time to turn in

Over the weekend I managed to score an unbeatable bargain. Was in a frock shop that usually had pretty good cocktail dresses and high street fashion. I spotted a rack thats said "This rack 2 for $30" I had a quick flick and came across this adorable Bebe dress in a black brocade fabric and a Kitson lime green message tank. Ok the side zip of the dress was damaged but that's why it was heavily discounted. All I need to do is replace the zip. And the Kitson tank was probably not a popular colour and had the tacky 'very important planet' message. But it was nice and long, perfect length and coverage for when bending over. Oh and I actually liked the colour. Want to know the original price of these items?
The dress was originally $139.95 and the tank top was $60. Cannot go wrong.

I emailed Sonia yesterday, passing on info that a local brand clothing store (Ojay) had 40% off storewide. She in turn said that she had a sale voucher that allowed 25% off storewide for Pumpkin Patch including sale items, would I meet her there at lunch time?

I spotted these cute little grown up shoes for my little man. I moseyed around then went to the counter to pay and the lady pointed out a sticker that said "Buy 2, get 50% off" and the 25% off applied on top of that. It took me a while but I finally decided to get the same pair but in a bigger size. There are times when I love an item of clothing on Ro so much but he outgrows it. The shoes were originally priced at $34.95. I got 2 pairs for $39.90!

After work, went grocery shopping, but I couldn't resist going to Pumpkin Patch at Garden City. And I spotted jeans that were already on sale and also a 2 shirts also on sale. Oh and the heavenly 25% off the marked price.

So around town we are having the 'End of Financial Year' sale. Probably similar to the Great Singapore Sale in terms of timing. But I feel that we get better bargains here. I noted the following sales:

CUE : Up to 50% off

Witchery : further mark downs up to 50%

David Jones (Various local designer wear) Up to 60% off. 20-30% off Cosmetics & skincare and almost everything.

Jeanswest: 40% off

Borders: Up to 50% off CDs. (This week)

Crabtree & Evelyn: 30% off

Saba: up to 50% off

Sportsgirl: Up to 40% off

NOW is the best time to buy something that you have been eyeing in Perth. Or rather just a day ago. This is the scoring time, the dawn before the actual sale fever hits. Retailers are trying to generate the Sale fever, so they throw some juicy bargains for 1 day to build the spending frenzy. Get the consumer really greased up, happy and loose handed with their cash. In these early days, you have more chance of getting your size. And 1 note, size 8 sells out the first. This is the prime time to stock up on basics like toiletries. It is also the time to score some X'mas gifts as well. In 6 months time, most people will forget how much that expensive hand cream was on sale for.

In the following weeks consumers will naturally spend, because of the that red sign that is plastered on the windows. And I have noted that there are some shops that have done the dodgy by sticking red sale stickers, with the sale price which is actually the original. 1 particular shoe shop has done that. A pair of ankle boots was $69 3 weeks ago, RRP. This week, its on the sale rack with the red sale sticker, but the price was supposedly slashed down from $139! Cheater cock. It usually pays to wander the shops in May. in fact it pays to wander the shops all the time, so you know what is a true bargain or just a gimmick.

The EOFYs sales continue for the next 4-5 weeks (like world cup). If you see something, but can't make up your mind about it. Buy it. 3 day think-about-it rule cannot apply during these times. You end up with a lot of heart ache and regret. And hell, if you change your mind, flog it on Ebay.

The end bits of the sales is a bargain hunters dream. Go with an open mind and not look for anything in particular. This is when the major department stores put the last odds and ends on the rack with 75% off the marked price. But its usually odd sizes and odd pieces maybe from 2 seasons ago. I once picked up a $780 dress for a crazy $69, but that's another story....

At lunch my friend, S, rings me all huffy and puffy and shrieked that kookai had an outlet clearance sale at the other end of town. I literally threw my mouse down, grabbed my bag and ran, I could hear my male colleagues laughing on the way out. I'm such a cliche!


It was pretty crazy for Perth standards, racks and racks of clothes that were only full price a week ago and a good crowd with snaking queues to the till. So I started sifting and agreed with my girlie that if I saw her I saw her. I grabbed about 10 dresses and headed to the change rooms, there was no way I was going to just pay for stuff without trying, I've learnt my lesson the hard way and wasted too much money before. Good thing, I only came away with 2 silk dresses that were worth buying. I also picked up 2 tops.

(Voila!)

This little stash retails for a total of $545. I paid $110. it just goes to show how much retailers profit. They still profit when items are slashed down to 75% because their mark ups is usually 400%!

I've become some sort of a shopping snob ever since I read Judith Levine's "Not Buying It". Her take on consumer culture left me enlightened somewhat. I now try to make educated buys. I read the labels like how some weight watchers read their nutrition labels. I try to buy Australian made as far as possible. Where clothes are concerned I don't buy something that is "Dry clean only" and I will not put good money on low grade polyester or polyester blended materials. Recently I've resorted to the budget line - throw away fashion that ranges $10-$35. Most of the time, last year's dress is too last year to wear again this year anyway!

These fashion houses are major rip offs. All these items I bought are made in china. They were just given fancy names (clockwise from the violet dress:Windsor Purple Sophie Gather Dress, yellow/pink Niagra Falls Dress, Azur Parisienne S/S Sweater, Crystal Jade Sunshine Top)wrapped in tissue paper and put in a nice coloured/textured paperbag to complete a buying experience. And usually thats what consumer culture is about. Cut to the chase, I just need a dress to wear to a wedding, and maybe a few new tops to update my wardrobe, without breaking the bank.

(The mark downs)

Ahh..without sounding like a shrewd, I'm happy with my purchases, I wouldn't have bought these full retail price, such a bargain had me walking on clouds for a while...until it took me 45 minutes to queue up and pay! And while walking back to office, I realised that I had completely forgotten about a meeting which I hadn't even printed out the agenda to! I'm such a sucker for sales.