Sale, sale, sale!

SALE! That’s the big word that always attracts a multitude of shoppers who grab everything – whether they need the items or not – because “it is cheap na.” Don’t get us wrong, we are often among them. Yet, we would like to think we have become wise enough to look at all aspects of these sales.

Habitual sales – these are the perrenial offerings, usually on selected items. Promos – the buy-1-take-1 offers and the big, storewide sales, held only once or twice a year.

In all of these, it is smart to note prices – are they really marked down, by how much? Are the goods still in perfect (or near-perfect) condition? What are the expiry dates? Most of all, do we need them?

Recently, the S&R membership chain held two big sales two or three months apart, if we are not mistaken. Big – as in really huge – crowds of cardholders, their families and friends queued up early to catch the opening hour. Carts went swishing through the entrance door, a frantic air of excitement pervaded and unbelievably, the carts got filled with piles upon piles of bed and bathroom linens on buy-1-take-1 offer. Looking at them, we wondered how many bed sheets and towels would one family need.

Regretably, fresh food like meat and vegetables were hardly discounted. Prices per kilo were slightly pared down, but they were still much higher compared to those in the wet markets, though S&R’s is of premium quality.

Well, we needed to be assured that we really got some very good buys. This could only be satiated by another visit, on a regular day. So off we went to S&R again, three days after the big sale. The staff was busy changing the signs, merchandize was in a bit of disarray, especially the linens, and we were referred to the cashier for the regular prices. They passed our test. Tags went back to normal – 30 to 50 percent more. We felt good.

Incidentally, the chain has an extensive collection of bakery products. They have what they refer to as their new cakes, all tagged “US”. We remember they have one of the best apple pies in town. It costs P249 per. The new selections include ring cakes (surely because they are baked in tube pans) in different flavors like double chocolate and marble. They are devoid of frosting or icing and therefore perfect with coffee or tea. They are priced at P299.95. There are quartets of muffins and pineapple upside down cake. If you are a brownie baker, get the box of mix for five batches at P649.50.

Barbecueing being a favorite thing to do at home, we bought a 45 oz bottle of KC Original at P269.50. The Kraft parmesan cheese of 435 gms goes for P449.95. You can also get ready-to-heat frozen food at S&R, but you will have to pay a rather stiff price.

Baguio strawberries are at P199.50 and the US variety at more than P400 for half a kilo. Unbranded dressed chicken comes in packs of two at P99 a kilo.

We think that promos offering free food in exchange for credit card purchases are a way of giving back something to customers. Lately we have found joy claiming freebies from Jollibee and Lots a Pizza in exchange for receipts.

We had two hours to while away at Greenhills Shopping Center a few days ago before going to lunch. What else was there to do but browse in the tiangge and visit Unimart supermarket? Vendors of blouses and pants are now employing a new business tack – they sell three pieces at P1,000. If one is patient enough to go around and look at all items meticulously, a real good purchase can be made.

At Unimart, we noted the following – the new Del Monte Petit Cuts for sauces and salads – zesty jalapeño, garlic and olives and green pepper and onions, P57.25 for a tin of 411 gms; La Bella sun-dried tomatoes at P267.50; Supreme pork luncheon meat; bell pepper relish at P194 per bottle of 12 ounces. White sugar is selling at P150 a kilo while brown is at P56.50.

Have a blessed Sunday!

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