If you're in the market to buy some luxury goods, leather ware, travel accessories or even an iPhone case ...
(I quite enjoy using the Gucci one) and you're in Asia, or flying into Asia, one question that will undoubtedly come to mind is, where is the best place to buy? And if you're one who lives in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, and has opportunity to go to both places regularly, then you'd ask yourself, should I buy in Singapore or KL?
As a consultant would respond being true to form, the answer is, it depends.
It depends on what brand and what specific item you want to buy, and where you're going. That's because prices vary across brands and across items. So a Gucci travel organizer could be cheaper in KL, by as much as SGD 100 versus Singapore, but a Gucci messenger bag could be cheaper in Singapore. And a Louis Vuitton messenger bag could be slightly cheaper in KL, but a small travel accessory bag could be SGD 100 lower in Singapore! The main message is, and this is Rule #1, when you're buying know the price of the item you want in your home or frequented locations, then when you find it lower at any place or time - get it! This way, if in your travel you don't see a better deal, then you can just buy it anytime at home base.
The Louis Vuitton flagship store in Singapore, at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. The architectural design lines make it appear as a cruise liner docked at the Marina Bay. It is a boutique store with a luxury museum-and-shop feel, and underground access via the MBS shops area.
For these brands - Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Miu Miu, Bally, Coach, if you can get them at Duty Free, then as a general rule, you're better off. BUT, this doesn't always hold true. if an item is on sale in the city, like during the Great Singapore Sale or GSS, then you are much better off splurging in town. And be aware that during the GSS, these luxury brands except LV, go down by as much as 50% or even more. So it's understandable that when sale season starts, these items, even at thousands of dollars apiece, literally fly off the luxury store shelves! So you've got to be fast! As in, First Day fast!
Among the airports I frequent, Singapore still offers the best luxury shopping in terms of shops and brands and overall experience. KL and Bangkok are good with a wide variety, but I find them quite warm at times with inadequate air conditioning. The Gucci shop in the Bangkok International airport is well-stocked so it's nice to visit. Korea is the only place I've seen with an LV shop inside the Incheon Airport Duty Free area, and that's where I got my Louis Vuitton messenger bag. Of course HK is a great airport to visit.
Note that if you're buying luxury watches and good camera equipment, the general rule is Don't Buy at the airport! You'll generally get better deals in town. Go for the big shops in nice establishments, and avoid small shops where you need to haggle on prices for everything. As always, Rule #1 applies. Later on I will eventually talk about fine mechanical timepieces, but that's for a later date.
My favorite shops in Singapore for these items:
Paragon shopping centre at the heart of Orchard for Gucci, and Miu Miu, Prada and Tods for my wife.
Ion Orchard for Louis Vuitton, Bally, Miu Miu, Prada.
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands for everything! Louis Vuitton has its flagship store there that creates a luxury museum and shop atmosphere. Miu Miu has its main store there. Gucci, Prada, Bally are all there, plus many more.
In Kuala Lumpur:
Suria KLCC, which is a short walk from the Shangri-La KL, and
Pavilion and
Starhill Gallery, which are just beside the Westin KL, and have the name brands as well.
Now before you go off spending good money, hear this.
Jesus said in Luke 12:15 "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." (NASB) This is a verse with a double warning! So let your purchases not be out of greed! Not to try and impress anyone! And certainly don't force it. Things will never satisfy you.
Want true satisfaction? Check these out. We are offered an abundant life, a life that is full and meaningful. And Jesus wants us to have complete joy.
And it's actually okay to enjoy. Yes, God said that! But no one is to be arrogant and to put his or her hope on wealth or things.
That's it for now. Happy shopping! But seek true joy as well!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
(I quite enjoy using the Gucci one) and you're in Asia, or flying into Asia, one question that will undoubtedly come to mind is, where is the best place to buy? And if you're one who lives in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, and has opportunity to go to both places regularly, then you'd ask yourself, should I buy in Singapore or KL?
As a consultant would respond being true to form, the answer is, it depends.
It depends on what brand and what specific item you want to buy, and where you're going. That's because prices vary across brands and across items. So a Gucci travel organizer could be cheaper in KL, by as much as SGD 100 versus Singapore, but a Gucci messenger bag could be cheaper in Singapore. And a Louis Vuitton messenger bag could be slightly cheaper in KL, but a small travel accessory bag could be SGD 100 lower in Singapore! The main message is, and this is Rule #1, when you're buying know the price of the item you want in your home or frequented locations, then when you find it lower at any place or time - get it! This way, if in your travel you don't see a better deal, then you can just buy it anytime at home base.
The Louis Vuitton flagship store in Singapore, at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. The architectural design lines make it appear as a cruise liner docked at the Marina Bay. It is a boutique store with a luxury museum-and-shop feel, and underground access via the MBS shops area.
For these brands - Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Miu Miu, Bally, Coach, if you can get them at Duty Free, then as a general rule, you're better off. BUT, this doesn't always hold true. if an item is on sale in the city, like during the Great Singapore Sale or GSS, then you are much better off splurging in town. And be aware that during the GSS, these luxury brands except LV, go down by as much as 50% or even more. So it's understandable that when sale season starts, these items, even at thousands of dollars apiece, literally fly off the luxury store shelves! So you've got to be fast! As in, First Day fast!
Among the airports I frequent, Singapore still offers the best luxury shopping in terms of shops and brands and overall experience. KL and Bangkok are good with a wide variety, but I find them quite warm at times with inadequate air conditioning. The Gucci shop in the Bangkok International airport is well-stocked so it's nice to visit. Korea is the only place I've seen with an LV shop inside the Incheon Airport Duty Free area, and that's where I got my Louis Vuitton messenger bag. Of course HK is a great airport to visit.
Note that if you're buying luxury watches and good camera equipment, the general rule is Don't Buy at the airport! You'll generally get better deals in town. Go for the big shops in nice establishments, and avoid small shops where you need to haggle on prices for everything. As always, Rule #1 applies. Later on I will eventually talk about fine mechanical timepieces, but that's for a later date.
My favorite shops in Singapore for these items:
Paragon shopping centre at the heart of Orchard for Gucci, and Miu Miu, Prada and Tods for my wife.
Ion Orchard for Louis Vuitton, Bally, Miu Miu, Prada.
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands for everything! Louis Vuitton has its flagship store there that creates a luxury museum and shop atmosphere. Miu Miu has its main store there. Gucci, Prada, Bally are all there, plus many more.
In Kuala Lumpur:
Suria KLCC, which is a short walk from the Shangri-La KL, and
Pavilion and
Starhill Gallery, which are just beside the Westin KL, and have the name brands as well.
Now before you go off spending good money, hear this.
Jesus said in Luke 12:15 "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." (NASB) This is a verse with a double warning! So let your purchases not be out of greed! Not to try and impress anyone! And certainly don't force it. Things will never satisfy you.
Want true satisfaction? Check these out. We are offered an abundant life, a life that is full and meaningful. And Jesus wants us to have complete joy.
And it's actually okay to enjoy. Yes, God said that! But no one is to be arrogant and to put his or her hope on wealth or things.
That's it for now. Happy shopping! But seek true joy as well!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Singapore
Lya Mani had a comment re Louie Vuitton not going on sale. Thank you for the comment. It would be good if comments are more positive to benefit and edify the readers. Lay Mani has missed an important note, as the original post states "during the GSS, these luxury brands except LV, go down by as much as 50% or even more". To be clear, anyone who buys LV knows that the brand doesn't go on sale - so don't wait for an LV to go on sale, look for price differences. LV is not in most Duty Free shops except when I saw it in Incheon, Korea a number of years back. If you're a tourist in a country, go for the duty rebates when you purchase expensive items. The best place to buy Louie Vuitton at an extremely good price is Paris (see my post http://jasmreflections.blogspot.sg/2016/04/buying-louie-vuitton-in-paris-tips_25.html), where you could get up to about 30% or 35% lower prices (this is a price difference, not a discount) versus Singapore prices. I appreciate the passion for the brand, as I myself am passionate for the brands I choose. But it would be good to keep in mind verses like - “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.” Romans 14:19 NKJV. Also - “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11 NKJV. And we will all benefit to remember Jesus' words “Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."” Luke 12:15 NASB.
ReplyDeleteOn a related note - GSS 2016 is underway!!! I've seen Bally, Gucci, Prada and Coach display brand new belts, shoes, bags, wallets and more on 20% to 50% Discount over regular prices! It's the real deal - so go over to the Singapore Marina Bay Sands or your favourite boutique and check out items! And again, be a good steward and purchase as God allows without forcing it!