Buy one get one free (BOGOF) deals

These are ubiquitous deals especially among marketplaces with Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). General online marketplaces such as Amazon and AliExpress display shops that offer these promotions. There are several deals that fall into the same category such as “buy one get another at 50% discount”, “buy 4 get one for free”, “Buy two pay for one”, and the deals go on. Basically, it all about buying X products and getting Y for free or discounted. What are some reasons for such deals?

Preventing waste especially for FMCG

In this time where the world is trying hard to cut down on any kind of waste including food and fashion, recycling may not be the only solution in sight. Companies in the field of FMCG are putting in mechanism to ensure that consumption also increases in order to put tabs and curbs on used products. So, one way of preventing having to increase shelf life is to increase consumptions through BOGOF deals. This is an advantage to both the customer and seller.

Why buy BOGOFs?

The answer is simple, consumers get to consume wholesome and freshly produced products especially for FMCG. Producers are not pressured to prolong the shelf life of products by adding preservatives that may alter nutritional values of consumable products. In this case, you consume healthy and they make their money the right way. The case might be slightly different for fashion though.

Inducing sales

Inducing sales and purchases are not bad at all if products are beneficial to customers. What about fashion? Well, vogues are best used when shared. You do not really want to be the only one wearing the latest shoes of a specific brand, you can always buy for your significant others. BOGOFs can be utilized to enhance your relationship with others. Allow these deals to persuade a positive image between you and people around you by gifting them with BOGOFs.

What to look out for when buying BOGOFs

Yes! you need to be extra vigilant when buying BOGOFs online specifically for FMCG. Expiry dates, delivery time, account balance after payment, whom to share with, and many more. Food items and perishable products need to be scrutinized twice before they are purchased online. It is apt to specifically request for such details, this is easy when purchasing from brick and mortar shops. Moreover, you would want to check for delivery time especially when purchasing from out-of-state or city shops because delay in delivery may render products unusable by the time they arrive. Finally, check for the total cost in the cart before the final payment getaway. 

 

Where can I buy BOGOFs?

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No one wears the price tag so why buy expensive fashion?

Unfalteringly loyal to a brand to the extent that you sense betrayal when you buy another? Or too used to wearing one brand so that every other brand is viewed as inferior? That’s exactly what popular brand companies want you to feel, every other brand should be unfit for your taste. Eventually, you realise that your wants are out of kilt with your needs. That’s when you need to pull the plug. Simply put, when your fussiness towards other cheaper brands become unrestrained, that is the sign. Here are 4 reasons why you should not allow yourself to reach this uncontrollable level of binging on brands.

How did they get you?

So, your friend is wearing this nice sneaker, it’s what everyone is getting. You need to turn a blind eye! It all starts when you buy popular fads and vogue, then you go ahead for the next release and the one after that. For your third purchase you are given a progressive 3.5% discount card after you fill in your details, you get ads on discounts and newly released products, now you are an avid buyer. That’s all it takes to have you thinking they care about you, but your money is most important. Now it will take pigs to fly for you to stay away from such brand or shop. You are serving a lifetime value to them until you spend your last penny to get that latest sneaker, you are restless until you see that designer wear hanging in your wardrobe. That’s how they got you!

Society is not watching

Not everyone is watching, those watching don’t really care, the few who care aren’t fascinated talking about what you put on, and those who compliment your new dress will not buy it for such a price but will hide their candours. What you wear may be a status symbol and perhaps a reflection of your bank account, but obviously those who have fat bank accounts don’t really dress in chic. Whether you wear dark clothes in summer or bright colours in winter, no one is really watching.  

Try something new and cheap

You will take of the price tag before you wear a brand-new shirt so why focus on the price? Products are priced to make psychological impacts on the buyer to purchase more and this happens with medium size consumable products. The smallest size is too small, and the biggest size is too big so, why not the medium size? The medium size is priced almost 60% extra the smallest size, but 20% shy of the price of the biggest. You consider this but you still don’t want to carry the biggest size, now you are trapped and fixated on the medium size. Just try a new cheaper alternative, you might end up liking it even more. The case of fashion is quite different but do not hesitate to let go of that fealty for a popular brand when you have far less expensive but quality fashionable alternative. There’s no harm in trying when there’re options.

Don’t buy fashion because you want to fit in

Being the topic of discussion and gossip among your friends because you don’t always match up what they wear is a sign that you don’t really them. Wear what is cheap and comfortable because any brand that controls your social acceptance is not worth having. It’s good to have fashionable clothes though but not when you habitually binge on them and can’t do without them. You can be wearing the best of all designer brands in the world but still appear gauche and tacky. On the converse, you can have the cheapest and best of brands and yet look your best. Fitting in is not about what brand you wear but how you wear whatever brand you wear.   

What happens to your data after online purchase?

Account name, email address, home address, credit card details, delivery address, shopping cart details, and the list goes on. This information and many more data points are collected from buyers whenever they purchase or at least attempt to. Yes! when you just visit the site, do a couple of clicks on items or just window shop for a few seconds, data can be collected. Broadly, there are two main data types that can be collected, what I term Volunteered, and Unvolunteered. Ever head of Big Data? In a narrow sense, all the information which can be collected once you use the internet. This is quite a massive stock of data which can be as much as 5,000 data points on a single individual. Emphasis will be laid only on your data collected from e-commerce websites where you regularly or just make single purchase from. No need to be scared though!

What data is collected?

Once again, Volunteered and Unvolunteered data. Those you knowingly and willingly offer to any marketplace such as Amazon or Alibaba whenever you make purchases or just a single purchase. Account name, address, geographical location, credit card information, products purchased, delivery address, email address, how much you spent, and so on. You are required to make this information available before you can receive your purchased products. Unvolunteered data remain a chunk you are unaware of. When you make the purchase recency, and frequency of your purchases, your navigation history during the purchase thus items you viewed but did not buy, a heat map of your navigation, and a lot more. Volunteered and Unvolunteered data include “cookies”.

How data is collected

They are just collected once you visit the website! Yes, once you accept and agree to visit the marketplace, it means you have tacitly agreed for your data to be collected in most cases. Also when you accept cookies which you are mostly obliged to accept, there’s a small piece of information exchange, just a tiny piece of connection and your data is stored and transferred from a web server to your browser, and of course the website you visited, and the other way round.

Privacy and data policies

When you accept privacy and data collection and usage policies at websites, this happens spontaneously. E-commerce websites/marketplaces indicate in their policies that your data would not be shared with any third party. Others point out categorically what companies or purposes your information is shared with or put to. It is advisable to find out this information if you are really scared of loosing data to some companies. Seriously, there are some e-commerce companies you do not want to give even your first name to.  

Data usage

They are used to send you ads, reminders especially of abandoned carts, make recommendations to you, inform you about discounts and promotions, and sometimes shared with other companies. You attempted to buy a product, added a few more items to your cart, gave your email address and forgot or refused to complete payment getaway? The shop will send you incessant reminders and alert you on discounts given on those items. Ever heard of “complementary products?” Printers and inks are used together, so a new printer will require ink. In 3months time after purchasing a coloured printer, an ad on ink is sent to your email. A good reminder that your ink is 80% done? That is your data being put to good use.

Data sharing

Some companies are related and have polices about data sharing. Frequency, recency, and monetary value data is sometimes shared with other e-commerce or entirely different companies and industry such as banks and sometimes governmental institutions but mostly for good ends. Your data is shared with suppliers at times just to ensure that products you frequently buy such as Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) are always readily made available. Sometimes your navigation history, thus pages you clicked first and successively are shared with website designers for SEO purposes.    

And so, what?

So, you do not really have to be scared, what happens to your purchasing data partly depends on you. Do not save or store credit card information, delivery address, and login information for your subsequent purchases especially on marketplaces you visit just once. Be mindful of the kind of cookies you accept, and do not forget to check for privacy information from marketplaces especially if you binge on goods from a particular online shop. It is twice important not to connect your login information or link applications on your phones and laptops as well.  For your email address, MailChimp has a good use for it so do not hesitate to give it. Just create an email address solely for online purchasing and mute its notification because targeted ads aren’t going anywhere. These things you can do for yourself, the rest you do not really need to worry about.

8 Advice for buying from online as lockdown eases

Buying from online can be very hectic and sometimes even dangerous. Primary of them all is the issue of trust. As customers online buying consists mainly of three broad processes and phases; the marketplace or store where goods are displayed in simple terms website, the payment system after getting what you really want to buy, and finally the delivery method. Three simple but complex steps. The issue of trust runs through every phase of the process. Whether pictures of products are photoshopped or not, real or fake reviews on website, credit card and information security, delayed or express delivery and the likes. Here are eight things to lookout for when buying things online especially from another country.

1. Check for the country of origin of the marketplace

It’s twice important to check for the country where the website and seller is located for proximity purposes and trustworthiness. The website should have good reputation when it comes to listed products and sellers. Normally, you can scroll down to the extreme bottom of the page to find more information about the website’s country of origin. For the top three renowned and global marketplaces such as Amazon, e-Bay, and AliExpress such information are easy to locate. You may want to desist from purchasing from certain countries with reputation in fake goods.  

2. Terms of use, return and refund policies, and privacy information

This is a very contentious area when it comes to online buying and selling. Any reliable marketplace makes this information readily available to customers because they are obliged to, it is however customers responsibility to check for those. Conditions under which items can be returned and payment refunded, and most importantly “cookies” and or customer data collection and usage. You’ll need to read more about this information if you’re a frequent buyer from a particular marketplace.

3. Credibility and proximity of the shop and seller

Buying from online is not much different from entering a brick and mortar store, window-shopping for a while, getting out quickly because of something unusual you saw about the owner or products on the shelves. This is not much different with online stores. Check for reviews given by other buyers of the product (not all reviews are real though), check for the location of the seller, how many of the product has been purchased or sold over which period and how many still in stock, etcetera. A good shop will display these specifics. Any credible website offers a lot of details about the sellers just as much as the product(s) they sell.

4. Quality of the product

There’s been two occasions where I’ve had to return products purchased online because of quality concerns. For products like fashion look out for closeup pictures of the materials used, more pictures from different perspective of the same product, and colour variants. Most photos are filtered to reveal the real colours and physical properties of the product. Those that cannot be captured in pictures such as smoothness or roughness (texture) are described in detail for buyers either linen, polyester, satin, cotton etcetera. Height, length, width, net weight, are not to be overlooked.

5. Your own timelines

When you need a product for immediate use, don’t buy from another country unless you are sure of an express delivery. Some products may arrive already expired or having missed the need for purchasing. It’s always up to you to be vigilant on the timelines and details on the period of delivery.

6. Delivery method and timelines

After you’ve found what you really want, the next is to check for delivery method and period before proceeding to the payment section. Free or charged shipping is very important. Cost of delivery is mostly cheaper when you buy from marketplaces with fulfilment centers or warehouses within your country. You don’t want to pay more for delivery than the cost of the item. Sometimes bulk purchasing can prevent having to pay more. One thing to note is proximity normally determines the cost of delivery, that’s why it’s good to find out where the product will be delivered from. This also affects the period for delivery. When delivery period is more than 1.5months, rethink the purchase. Seller may not be shipping to your country or place of residence so watch out.

7. Be sure of the payment system

Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, PayPal, Apple pay, direct bank transfer and many more are means for making payments. They all have different charges and refund policies. It’s better to know your bank policies as well before you lose any penny. My $60 is yet to reflect in my account after it was refunded 3months ago. The payment system should also be very secured. You must be given the option of whether to allow the system to keep your card details for next purchases or not.

8. Promotions and special offers

Marketplaces that offer promotions and giveaways are the best to shop from. Always look out for special discounts on certain product especially seasonal promotions such as Christmas, new year and so on. Most importantly don’t forget to subscribe, follow and engage in customer loyalty programmes because they offer tickets to getting good discounts on your purchases.

10 most important things to buy as lockdown eases

1. Rechargeable hair clippers and hair dryers

Wondering the importance of feeding hay to a cow about to be slaughtered? Well the abattoirs may be closed, or you may change your mind after all. As states are preparing to reopen salons and barbering shops may be overly packed and outside long queues. And when it’s finally your turn, you’d have to swallow the bitter pill of paying twice the amount you used. On top of these all is the higher possibility of contracting the virus during the rush.  As topsy-turvy as the global economy is, save yourself and that of your family by purchasing a pair of hair clippers, and dryer. You can take 30minutes tutorial on how to give your relations and yourself a simple shave for the start. You don’t have to come out of the lockdown looking all “Moses” Moreover, uncertainties about lockdowns have never been so clear. Get the best deals here
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 2. Pocket size hand sanitizer

Now more than ever before is the time to buy a highly alcohol concentrated hand sanitizer (ABHR with greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol as recommended by the CDC). As lockdown eases, you’ll meet friends at parks and other places where water and soap may not be available. Keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your pocket, a bigger bottle will be a nuisance to carry. It will be your best life insurance for now. 

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3. Dumbbells and Skipping/jump rope

Can’t afford a treadmill but still want to get the desired shape out of exercising? Get a pair of dumbbells to maintain and build your muscles, and a skipping/jump rope to retain and improve your stamina. These two are better than expensive treadmills and do not consume any power. Easing lockdown shouldn’t cost more than it has already, take it slow save more. https://amzn.to/31IGLlX   https://amzn.to/3e5OEVr

   

4. Cheap pair of trainers

Lockdown is getting eased, need a cheap pair of trainers to lose weight gained during lockdown? No need to buy a designer pair of trainers. If you don’t want to use an old pair of sneakers, log onto your computer and purchase the cheapest online. 30 to $50 trainers will do. Keep your expenses at the minimum for now. https://amzn.to/3dYX7JJ   https://amzn.to/3f2i87U

5. Online games and gift cards as trophies

After spending hours playing Risk online with friends from the world over on three occasions, my interest squinted and thawed. Quite surprisingly, it was renewed entirely when I realised we could play for a price instead. So for the first time, I put a gift card as the trophy for the game. I made a schedule for the next person to do same, we all acknowledge how serious and fun our long hours of playing online games have turned into. Something far rewarding than just winning a game.  As lockdown eases, still maintain the social distance, pla online games. https://amzn.to/3e0krXJ   https://amzn.to/38ouJQf

6. Winter clothes and boots

Too early to buy winter clothes? Of course not, clothes do not really get old, you do! So, at cheaper prices, you can buy the boots, coats and most importantly now gloves just to wait for the winter. Good idea? Yes of course! One thing to be certain of is weather changes. And one more piece of advice, buy those that comes with free gloves and nose mask!  https://amzn.to/2VNmaJH  https://amzn.to/3iud9is

7. Vacuum cleaner

Still in self-isolation mood? Keep your carpet and room clean. Lockdown is on the ease, friends, and acquaintances have been hemmed in for weeks. They’d like to surprise you with a visit just to hangout because its been a while. Don't be found wallowing in filth. Don’t continue with your lockdown attitude, tidy up a bit with a vacuum cleaner. https://amzn.to/2ZB1F3V

8. Strong detergents and high alcohol concentration surface cleaners

Time to do a thorough cleaning of your sinks, faucets, shower handles, diverter valves, bathtub, and washable shower curtains. Give them a good bathe they’ve earned it! Use surface cleaners with high alcohol concentrate. CDC recommends the use of ABHR with greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol for health facilities. Check for this before buying any sanitizer, the virus might still be hoovering around. https://amzn.to/3gpb9Gb   https://amzn.to/38pEk9e

9. Garden tools and hydroponics for summer

Jump start your summer with a front or backyard garden of fruits or flowers. Pot and hanging gardens aren’t a bad idea at all. Too mysophobia to sink a few carrot and cucumber seeds in the ground? Hydroponics makes you feel like just playing with water but pays off with free vegetables. https://amzn.to/2VIoQIA

10. Comfortable but less expensive clothes

Don’t buy brands, buy what’s within your budget, comfortable, and looks good on you. Now is exactly the right time to be frugal and thrifty, so don't buy brands because no one is watching, we just want to be alive and safe. You need to keep everything simple and make every penny count, cut yourself some slack from the luxury world. Target those clothes that come with free nose masks anyway. https://amzn.to/3gpEKzd  https://amzn.to/2O0pJYp   https://amzn.to/3gqSsSB