after5zone

Mega Sales has started. For many Malaysian, this the best time to shop and get bargain. That dress you long to buy or the shoes you have always wanted, now is at a discounted price. How can you miss this?

I for one will not miss this chance. But, I am not a shopaholic also. There are times where there is sales but I just could not get anything I like. I am just the type of person, who wants the dress but totally forget about it after I leave the mall.

G2000 was one of the boutique offering discount up to 50% this round. My boyfriend and I love their clothes because of the quality for work clothes.

Then, we receive a sms promotion because we were the privilege members of the store. I may add that it is not cheap to be their member. This is EXACTLY how the sms is written :

“G2000 Presale Special - Premium Cardholders enjoy additional 20% on all sale items from 22-26 July ‘09 at all G2000 shops. T&C apply.”

Oh, we are well aware with the word terms and conditions apply. And we know how the terms and conditions are manipulated by marketing personnel.  We thought we should at least pay a visit to the store and find out ourselves.

We went to the Sunway store and this is what it is written on the display (this is not the exact words by close enough):

“1st and 2nd pc at 30% off, 3 piece at 50%”

We were stunned. Now, if members get additional 20% on top of that 50% that means we get 70%. So, we selected the designs we wanted and asked for the size. Again, I check with the staff there if all these were at 50% for all 3 pieces. He said, “Yes”. Then I asked, so members gets additional 20%? He said ” Yes”

Great! We asked for our size for the designs and waited patiently. The staff came back and unfortunately only one of the designs has the right size. We decided to try another outlet. That is how we ended up in Mid Valley. It’s easier now because we know what we want to get. I just pick and pick and head straight to the store staff. Before I asked him to get the size for us, I asked him again if all the ones I choose which is a total of 3 pieces is at 50% off. He once again confirmed it. Then I asked him ” So, if we are member it will be 70% off then?”

His answer not only surprised us but we felt as though we have been tricked. He say, “if you take the 3 pieces for 50% each, you won’t be entitled to the additional 20% discount” We look at him puzzled then I ask “So, if I take 2 pieces then it will be a 30% + 20% for members?” His answer again nearly made us furious. He said ” No, only one of the piece is at 30% + 20% for member while the 2nd piece is only at 30%. Let’s see how this works:

2 pieces : 1st piece at 50%, 2nd piece at 30% (member)

1st and 2nd piece at 30% (non-member)

3 pieces : 50% each (member)

50% (non  member)

So, tell me what is the meaning of pre-sale for privilege members? and how much G2000 appreciate members like us. We end up deciding to still get 3 pieces since it is already at 50% off, so it will still be worth it although we felt cheated. Unfortunately, again there were only one design that has the size we wanted. Well, 1 piece is still at 50% (30% +20%) so we still go with one then. As my boyfriend was queuing up to pay, I just find either the marketing department for G2000 has really lousy calculation method or they are just being funny. There were also a lady at the same time buying a tie and another store staff told her that the tie is at 30% discount and 50% discount for members.

That was not the end of us feeling fooled by this sales gimmick of G2000. When it is finally our turn, it turns out that it was NOT at 50% !!!! The discount is calculated this way:

The shirt was at RM 159.00

Our thoughts of 50% (30% + 20%)      =   RM 79.50

G2000 way of calculating = RM 159.00 - 30% = RM111.30 and then RM 111.30 - 20% = RM 89.04

How can this be when the store staff is telling us that member gets 50%. They have totally misled us and gave us the wrong information. Moreover, look at the whole thing and what is the benefit of having this pre-sale for member and what privilege did we really get? I as a marketing person cannot accept this at all.

So, beware to all of you who is a member of some store or if you are buying during sales…do read in between the lines, be careful of finely printed terms and asked again and again regarding the discount.

Is this a sale or a scam?

Tags: g2000