A friend of mine likes to shop for designer brands. Since we started working together, she had been indulging in lots of branded stuffs because she worked in KL, and most of her friends there only shopped for the designer stuffs. Maybe it’s the peer pressure or she was trying hard to fit in, that’s why she got hooked with all those expensive stuffs. If you think I shop a lot, you haven’t seen her yet!
But the truth is, her salary is hard to maintain her lifestyle. If she has a “good” boyfriend, then she doesn’t have to worry much about money. However, her credit card debts are scary and she had to resolved to personal loans to cope with some part of it. If it’s not because of the loans, she can’t even come out with the minimum monthly payment sometimes. Don’t you forget the standard of living is higher in KL, and she is living by herself.
Sometimes, I think only by consulting debt consolidation that her debt problem can be solved. But most importantly, she has to control her spending habits. I managed to get over it, so I think she will be able to.
I used to get lots of trial samples from promoters when I was a vivid shopper. I seldom do this now because I have found the right range of products that suit my skin, and furthermore, I seldom get things from cosmetic counters now as comparing to the time before I got married. During those years, anything new in the market was very likely to be ended up on my dressing table. Seriously!
So, if you are wondering how to get the samples, you can try my “tricks”
- Do your homework. Don’t just go to any cosmetic counter and don’t know what you want. If you are looking for moisturizer, let the promoter know about this.
- If possible, lead the promoters instead of letting them persuading you into buying something else. If you know that a particular brand has a new moisturizer, for example, ask for the tester.
- Ask the promoter if the product is suitable for your skin. Tell her your skin condition like for me, I will tell them my eye area is my main concern and what type of products I had tried before. I know which works for me and which are not. Sometimes, not everything being promoted in commercials are good.
- Try the tester on your skin, preferably on your face directly. If you try it on your hand, you are only trying the texture!
- If possible, put the product on half of your face and see if there is any different. If you are trying on lifting products, you will see that one part of your face is lifted, trust me.
- Check out the price. If it’s too expensive, don’t act like a freak ok? Be cool about it.
- Tell the girl that you love the product but if possible, you would like to try it out first before purchasing. Ask for free sample now.
- Some will ask for your contact number or being their member, just join lah.
- If they give you some samples, have the courtesy of buying some products from them, like lipstick or anything cheap. Don’t let them feel like you are just there for samples.
- Be nice to them, remember their names and after trying the samples come back and look for the same girl that served you. They are earning from commission, so if she hit her sales from you, she will treat you very well. It will be easier to get more samples next time.
- Please dress well, and don’t act like si lai. Some promoters from exclusive brands really look down on si lai shoppers. I kena once at Isetan when my skin was bad and I looked dreadful because I was sick. So, I pissed off the promoter by purchasing RM700++ of products at her next counter just to show off. LOL! It’s pretty childish, so forget this tip.
- Be confident. If they say your skin is worse like hell, have the common sense yourself. You don’t have to buy everything ok? Ask for samples first, if possible.
Oh ya, if they refuse to give you, just walk to the next counter. It’s their loss anyway if they can’t make business deal with you.
