1. Client : Paypal Country : Singapore
Publication : The Straits Times, URBAN Section : Urban
Date : 23 November 2012 Page : 18
Black Friday Tips
Topic :
:
Circulation 400,000
Discount at American retailers you should not miss
1 Macy's
Macys.com
Till tomorrow, the American retail chain's online store is offering discounts of up to 60 per
cent on clothing and jewellery. Get a pair of free headphones when you buy any fragrance
worth at least US$75 (S$91.90).
Best buys include the Ralph Lauren Romance gift set, US$85 (usual price US$136), and
DKNY Jeans' sleeveless striped drop-waist dress, US$29.99 (usual price US$59).
Through a new arrangement with FiftyOne, a global e-commerce company, Macy's now
ships to Singapore. International shipping fees apply.
2 Coach
Coachblackfriday.com
The factory outlet of this leathergoods maker is offering discounts of 66 per cent off
wallets, 74 per cent off bags and 75 per cent off sunglasses.
Get the Colette Hobos leather bag for US$78 (usual price US$298), the Poppy Checkbook
purse for US$61 usual price US$182) or the Marilyn sunglasses for US$45 (usual price
US$182).
3 Amazon.com
Amazon.com
The world's largest online retailer is offering discounts of up to 70 per cent off selected items
till Dec 1. For example, an 18-inch Swarovski Carnevale sterling silver necklace is going for
US$39 (usual price US$149), while a BCBG Max Azria cable dress costs US$136.80 (usual
price US$228). Subscribe to Amazon.com to get updates on the latest deals. International
shipping charges apply.
4 Sephora
Sephora.com
Pucker up to a markdown of more than 50 per cent on a range of cosmetics brands. Items
such as Bare Escentuals' Let It Glow blusher set (usual price US$42), Bite Mini lipstick
palette (usual price US$48) and Stila Travel Palette & Deluxe Kitten lipgloss (usual price
US$67) are all going for US$10 each. The one-day sale starts today at 4pm, Singapore time.
Kohl's
Kohls.com
The American department store, which carries brands such as Vera Wang and LC Lauren
Conrad, is offering discounts of up to 70 per cent on jewellery, handbags, accessories and

2. outerwear from now till 5am tomorrow, Singapore time. Also, get a US$15 voucher with
every US$50 spent.
A Daisy Fuentes bandage dress costs US$25.60 (usual price US$64), a Jennifer Lopez
Kaleidoscope Crossover maxi dress costs US$21 (usual price US$70) and a pair of LC
Lauren Conrad ballet flats is priced at US$22 (usual price US$54.99). Fans of Vera Wang
can get its Brushstroke Chiffon midi dress at US$34 (usual price US$68).
6 Kate Spade
Katespade.com/discount-designer-clothing/sale,default,sc.html
Best known for its leather bags and wallets in vibrant colours and designs, Kate Spade is
slashing prices of selected items by more than 50 per cent. Best buys include the Chambers
Street Carlyle handbag for US$188 (usual price US$358), Victoria Falls Maryanne shoulder
bag, US$249 (usual price US$528) and the Tudor City Salma wallet, US$59 (usual price
US$138).
7 Nordstrom
Nordstrom.com
The upscale fashion retailer, which ships to Singapore, is offering up to 50 per cent off
designer items and you can shop in your preferred currency.
Don't miss out on bargains, such as a Diane von Furstenberg Lata skirt that is going for
US$125.98 (usual price US$210), a pair of Cole Haan Hollis boots that now costs US$198.98
(usual price US$398) and a pair of Vera Wang Footwear Indigo flats priced at US$147.49
(usual price US$295).
8 Saks Fifth Avenue
Saksfifthavenue.com
The American luxury department store, which carries high-end brands such as Prada, Manolo
Blahnik, Valentino, is slashing prices of designer items by up to 40 per cent.
Get a Michael Kors belted wool crepe dress for US$1,137 (usual price US$1,895), a Rag &
Bone Botany silk blouse for US$195 (usual price US$325), a Red Valentino cropped mini
skirt for US$225 (usual price US$375) and a pair of Tory Burch Lindsay pants for US$135
(usual price US$225).
The online store ships to Singapore and can calculate your total bill in your preferred
currency, including any applicable duties and taxes.

3. Survival guide for first-timers
Step 1: Sign up for an account with an online concierge
Many American retailers do not ship to Singapore. A concierge service acts as a middleman
by providing a local address to which you can send your packages, then ships them to you for
a fee.
Some buy items on your behalf, for a fee, if the merchants do not accept credit cards issued
outside the United States.
Here are some concierges to check out (do note that fuel surcharges apply on top of shipping
charges, and some operators also levy an insurance fee):
1. HopShopGo (Hopshopgo.com)
 An initiative by PayPal and comGateway launched in 2010.
 PayPal customers get a 10 per cent discount upon checkout.
 Shipping rates for standard delivery (six to eight business days): US$11 (S$13.50) for
the first 0.5kg and US$2.85 for each additional 0.5kg.
 Repacking: US$5 to US$7, up to three packages are consolidated at no charge.
 Ships only from the United States.
2. comGateway (Comgateway.com)
 Shipping and repacking rates are the same as above, but the 10 per cent discount does
not apply.
 Ships only from the US.
3. Borderlinx (Borderlinx.com)
 For Citibank card holders.
 Shipping rates for standard delivery (four to six business days): US$13 for the first
0.5kg and US$3.30 for each additional 0.5kg.
 Repacking: Free.
 Ships from the US and Britain.
4. vPost (Vpost.com.sg)
 A service by SingPost.
 Shipping rates for standard delivery from the US (five to eight business days): A base
charge of $13.40 and $7.20 per kg, plus a fuel charge of $1.90 per kg.
 Repacking: $12 per package.
 Also ships from China, Japan and Europe.
Step 2: Do your homework
Compare prices of the same or similar items across various merchants before you buy.
PriceGrabber (Pricegrabber.com) is one price comparison website you can use to scour the
best online deals. Apps such as comPare by comGateway (free, from Apple App Store) also
allows you to check the price of a product in Singapore against its retail price in the US.
Meanwhile, search for shopping ideas through BuyVia (free, from Apple App Store), which
compares prices across similar items, or the Black Friday App by Dealnews.com (free, from
Google Play Store), which compiles retailers' ads in-store and online.
For a comprehensive Web round-up, visit blackfriday.gottadeal.com/

4. OnlineTracker, which lists retailers, such as JCPenney and Macy's, along with their sales start
times and the prices of their items.
Step 3: Don't buy on impulse
Some merchants may slash prices even further come Cyber Monday, so check back for more
deals.
No matter how cheap an item is, you would be wasting money if it does not fit, so do not be
swayed by discounts alone. Double-check the retailer's size chart to make sure the
measurements fit.
Read the fine print on return policies - items obtained through a concierge can be returned.
Some merchants may shorten the return window or implement an exchange-only restriction
during peak seasons.
Step 4: Check out only on secured sites
When making payment, verify that you are on a secured site - that is, a Web address starting
with "https://" and with a padlock icon beside it, instead of the standard "http://". These sites
encrypt sensitive data during the transaction.
Step 5: Consolidate your orders
Even if merchants ship to Singapore, it may be more cost-effective to consolidate all your
items and mail them to a US address rather than to ship multiple packages individually. An
online concierge service will allow you to do so.
You may also wish to pool purchases with friends to split shipping costs.
~ WALTER SIM