Whether a victim shops from an unverified website or replies to a phishing email, online shopping scams are transactions that can take advantage of you. Avoiding these scams starts with the awareness of its existence and reading the fine prints!
Maximize Your Credit Card Protection
As an international payment platform, PayPal is subjected to the presence of schemes. More often than not, PayPal scams happen when victims are made to believe that they are paying through PayPal. Scammers mimic the PayPal website and its confirmation email to lure their preys.
Or, “interested buyers” may send fake confirmations that the payment has been made. This will prompt you to ship your product.
Stay vigilant! The PayPal community highlights that they will never send an email asking for the following:
* full bank or credit card number,
* debit card PIN number,
* driver’s license numbers,
* a listing of your email addresses,
* a listing of your physical addresses
* your full name,
* your password to PayPal or any other accounts, and
* the answers to your security questions
Shop At Legitimate Sites
It goes without saying that the first thing you have to ensure is the credibility of the website. You must check if the URL begins with an “https”. Having this means that the website is secured. The “s” indicates an additional layer of security known as the SSL or Secured Socket Layer.
For websites you have not heard about, it is recommended to read reviews about the company and its products. You may also make a small initial purchase to see whether the company is legitimate or not. This way, you can feed your curiosity while staying on the safe side.
Beware Of “Too Good To Be True” Offers
Three years ago, I was rummaging through several websites to find an iPhone model and price that I am comfortable with. I realized that I have to be cautious when it comes to filthy cheap deals. There are hundreds of those online! After purchasing, I checked the authenticity of an iPhone through its manufacturing numbers as well as through the Apple support. Much like this scenario, you must steer away from out-of-this-world offers.
Consider your health and wellness as a top priority while shopping online. Do not believe grandiose claims or get sucked into fake offers.
Whenever Apple releases a new iPhone, it has been a tradition for Singaporean consumers to queue up in the nearest Apple retailer. Apple fans participate in a childish display of smartphone rivalry between iPhone and its Android smartphone counterparts. Whichever side you are on, one thing remains the same. iPhones are so expensive!
Its hefty price is probably due to a combination of the following factors.
#1: GAINING FULL CONTROL
Whether you like it or not, an Apple iPhone comes with its own “ecosystem”. Apple designs and engineers not only the hardware of the phone, but also its software. The company gains a full control of your user experience.
Buying an iPhone entails purchasing its built-in apps and services such as Wallet, Pages, iMessage, FaceTime, and iCloud. Competitors may argue that they have similar features, but most of them rely on Android operating systems made by different companies including Google. It is natural for Apple to raise the prices of its phones as making both the hardware and software of a phone is resource intensive!
#2: MARKETING IT WELL
One cannot deny that Apple has brilliant marketing strategies. It positions itself as a higher-end product above its competitors. It became a status symbol for Singaporeans of the modern generation. This branding has worked thus far. However, I cannot be certain about its future.
You may be under the impression that iPhone sales are growing. That is not always the case! For the last few years, iPhone’s sales growth has been 5 % or less.
#3: HAVING SOFTWARE ASSURANCE
When purchasing an iPhone, you are also paying for the longevity of its software. I am referring to the consistent iOS updates and upgrades. These updates and upgrades can be downloaded by the owners of previous generation iPhones and iPads too. For instance, I still receive the latest software updates and upgrades from my iPhone 6.
Although Google releases Android upgrades periodically, these may not be readily available for many Android smartphones. This is due to the fact that there is a wide variation in hardware features, software types, and manufacturer preferences between Android smartphones. This resulted in a shorter software assurance, especially for older or less popular smartphone models.
#4: PRODUCING IS COSTLY
Apple iPhones are made of costly components such as the Gorilla Glass. This is why the overall product costs of iPhones are higher than many of its competitors. Although an Android smartphone has similar or better specifications than an iPhone, the latter is still costlier to built.
As a case study, let us put a spotlight on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. iPhone 6 costs about US$200 to US$247 to manufacture. While, an iPhone 6 Plus ranges between US$216 to US$263 to produce. The production costs alone can increase the selling price!
Image Credits: pixabay.com
As of 2019, owning a new iPhone has never been more expensive. It is probably due to the aforementioned elements and more.
A city with growing population and limited space cannot afford a massive traffic jam. This is why the Singapore government invest billions of dollars each year on public transportation. The government aims to make it reliable, inexpensive, efficient, and accessible for all. With this objective comes the restriction of private transportation. Since 1990, the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) complemented with tax and duties have been introduced to regulate car ownership and road usage.
There is no such thing as a cheap car! Even an upper middle class Singaporean will tell you that owning and maintaining a car is no easy feat!
So, why are cars so expensive in Singapore? For starters, it involves several factors.
#1: Open Market Value
You may have noticed that the price-tags of a certain car varies from country to country. These varying degrees of prices start a baseline. In our case, the baseline is the Open Market Value or OMV. The OMV will soon be boosted by the Additional Registration Fee and the Certificate of Entitlement. Imagine if we paid cars in terms of its OMV!
#2: Additional Registration Fee
As I said, your car purchase will be subjected to the ADF. ADF or Additional Registration Fee comes after the Registration Fee and the OMV. You see, it is a form of tax imposed to all cars during registration. The calculation of ARF depends heavily on the OMV of the vehicle.
Currently, the ARF is calculated as follows:
For the first $20,000, 100% of the OMV For the next $30,000, 140% of (OMV-20000) Above $50,000, 180% of the (OMV-50000)
People pay for additional taxes on specific goods sold within Singapore such as petrol, alcohol, and cigarettes. This tax is called Excise Duty.
The Excise Duty on cars is 20% of the OMV. Once this is calculated, a 7% GST will be added on both the OMV and the Excise Duty. It sounds confusing, right? Let me illustrate it for you!
For instance, a car has an OMV of S$49,113. It will incur and Excise Duty of S$9,822 (20% of S$49,113) and a GST of S$4,125 (7% of S$49,113 + S$9,822).
#4: Certificate Of Entitlement
Certificate of Entitlement or CEO is infamous for bumping one’s car expenses. Even Singaporeans who cannot drive would know what it means. It is a certificate that allows a car to be driven for 10 years. Essentially, COE is driven by the market’s supply and demand. COE prices can elevate during periods of high car demand and vice versa.
In 2013, the COE was a whopping S$97,889 (Category E). In today’s market, COE prices go between S$40,000 to S$50,000.
#5: Car Dealers’ Margin
It comes as no surprise that the car dealers have a portion for their own overheads. The profit they own for selling cars is called the dealers’ margin.
It could range from as little as 15% for affordable brands to as high as 50% for luxury brands.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Your job is to calculate all these factors together. Then, ask yourself whether owning a car in Singapore is worth it or not!
What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day or any other occasion than with a drink or two? There is need to be terrified of the hefty prices attached with alcoholic beverages! In fact, there are bars and restaurants in Singapore that offer cheap booze.
CHUPITOS SHOTS BAR
The first on this list, Chupitos, will spoil you with choices of about 130 drinks. Maximize your money by going there during Happy Hour. From 6:30PM to 9PM daily, selected house pours, shots, and beers are only S$6! This discounted rate includes Heineken, Hoegaarden, Baby Irish Coffee, Blue Canary, and so on. What’s more? Ladies get a complimentary shot with every pair of shooters (e.g., Key Lime Pie or Mango Margarita) purchased on Wednesdays.
Image Credits: facebook.com/thechupitosbar
Location: 3B River Valley Road, Clarke Quay, #01-05, Singapore 179021 Contact: The Chupitos Bar
BAR BAR BLACK SHEEP
Looking for a cool place to hangout that offers cheap prices overall? Search no further than the Bar Bar Black Sheep! Its mere branding will draw your attention. It captured mine!
This is the original coffee shop bar in Singapore.
Posted by Ladyironchef on Sunday, February 26, 2017
Let us go back to the booze. Bar Bar Black Sheep sells a pint of Kronenbourg Blanc and Tetley’s English Ale at about S$13. Half-pints of beers (e.g., Carlsberg and Blanc) start at S$7 only. When it comes to food, it stays true to the North Indian, Thai, and Western fusion. Fortunately for us, there are four outlets islandwide. Simply head down to the one closest to you!
Nestled in Holland Village is a humble gem called The Pit Restaurant & Bar. It might not be the fanciest place on the list, but it offers an incredibly friendly price for a glass wine. You cannot go wrong with the house pour wine at about S$10 a glass. Do not get me started with the Happy Hour prices!
For an upgraded experience of your favorite Chardonnay or Merlot, you can pay the premium house pour price of about S$12.
Location: 21 Lor Liput, Singapore, 277733 Contact: 6468 3468
It may only come once a year, but Valentine’s Day is one of the most celebrated holidays around the world! How did it become so popular? From its dark origins to its romantic twists, here are seven interesting facts about Valentine’s Day.
#1: FROM YOUR VALENTINE
Amidst the wide array of historical theories as to why Valentine’s Day came about, many people have accepted one theory. There was a time when men were not allowed to marry. Emperor Claudius II forbade couples to marry during wartime. However, Bishop Valentine’s passionate heart was against his wishes. He performed numerous secret weddings. As you may have guessed, he was jailed and executed.
The last letter he wrote was for the jailer’s daughter and he signed it with the words: “from your Valentine”. The rest is history!
#2: BOX OF CHOCOLATES
One of my favorite movie characters was quoted saying: “life is like a box of chocolates, you will never know what you are going to get.” In the uncertainty of life, you can count of chocolates being greatly sold during Valentine’s Day. When did this tradition started?
The giving of boxes of chocolates started in the 19th century by Richard Cadbury. The name sounds familiar, right? Coming from a British family who manufactured chocolates, Richard used a new technique to create a variety of products. He sold chocolates as a part of this beloved holiday.
Valentine’s Day is considered as a marketing event in almost all parts of the world. In America alone, people spend an estimate of US$18.2 billion a year on this holiday.
What’s more? Men seem to spend more money than women. Should we step up our game, ladies? Kidding aside, you may use this opportunity to offer deals that cater to couples.
#4: ICONIC SWEETHEART CANDIES
Sweetheart candies or heart-shaped candies with adorable texts have been a staple in the aisles of many grocery stores every February 14th. The iconic chalky dessert started out as lozenges.
Image Credits: pixabay.com
Pharmacist and inventor Oliver Chase created a machine that would quickly create lozenges. He later switched his product to candies known as the Necco Wafers. In 1866, his brother came up with the idea of printing messages on the candies. Afterwards, he made it heart-shaped to appeal to the couples during Valentine’s Day. Once again, the rest is history!
#5: CUPID’S BOW AND ARROW
For centuries, the diaper-clad baby with adorable wings and a set of bow and arrow has been associated with Valentine’s Day. Before Cupid got its name, he was known as Eros. Eros is derived from the ancient Greeks’ mythology – the God of Love.
His arrows are interesting! Said arrows have meanings – one was made for love and one was made for hate. These were designed to manipulate the emotions of his targets. The Romans soon adopted the story and Eros or Cupid gained the childlike appearance he is known for today.
#6: RISE OF CONTRACEPTIVES
Love can be expressed in many ways. It comes as no surprise that many choose to express it through intimacy. In February, condom sales seem to rise up. Around Valentine’s Day, sales are almost 20% to 30% higher in America alone. What comes next is the apparent rise of self-administered pregnancy tests. These tests are sold more in March than any other month.
#7: ANTI-VALENTINE’S DAY EVENTS
Who says that February 14th should only be celebrated by couples? Singletons do not have to stay at home to have during this time. You can surf the net to hang out at the best places in Singapore. Make sure you bring your favorite guy or gal pals along as you attend the following Anti-Valentine’s Day events.
A. VALENTINE VENDETTA 2019
Do not feel sad about being alone on Valentine’s Day as you can surround yourself with a group of energetic people at Valentine Vendetta. Running for 8 years now, Valentine Vendetta aims to provide an array of exciting activities and fun games to encourage social interaction. What’s more? Lucky guests can win up to S$2,500 or a trip to The Farm at San Benito in Manila. Tickets are sold at S$25 and are inclusive of a drink.
WHEN: FEBRUARY 14th at 6:30 PM onward
B. ANTI-VALENTINE’S VALENTINE’S DAY @ HUSTLE CO
Skip the sight of mushy couples exchanging gifts by heading to Hustle Co. A bar nestled at Tanjong Pagar can give you the haven you need in a time like this. Single ladies and men can enjoy S$6.90 craft beers and affordable dinner items. Anti-Valentine’s Valentine’s Day sounds like great event for all the singles out there!
WHEN: FEBRUARY 14th at 9:00 AM onward
Image Credits: pixabay.com
As you can see, Valentine’s Day was not always celebrated with a box of chocolates and heart-shaped candies! Things go deeper than that.
