Sold on sales

Just about everybody loves a good deal


Sales, shopping and festivals - as much as one looks forward to them, there are some people who dread the thought of making their way through the shops and running huge bills. We talk to a few people to get their views on sales and shopping festivals.

"My family would go for anything from a needle, to a new bedroom set, to even diamonds during sales," claims one father. "During sales, and especially the DSF, they just shop till they actually drop. However, I go in for something more useful like the latest electronic item."

"Every night we face the same old volley of questions from dad," says his 18-year-old son Joshua. "What? You spent that much on 'this'? And also, did you really need this?"

"I guess sales and shopping festivals are a threat for all husbands," laughs Bouran Najim of DaimlerChrysler Middle East FZE. "Sometimes there is no real need for a thing, yet due to the tempting prices and the quality of the product, you cannot resist," she says.

"Recently it was my husband's birthday. I knew he would like to have a video camera, one of the new models," recounts Bouran. "I had this in mind since long and had waited for the sales during the DSF to get it for him. So on a Friday, I went to the Deira City Centre and purchased the camera. I scratched one of the coupons and I was chosen to participate in draw where I won a 0.5 karat diamond for the first time in my life. The funny thing is that my husband was not planning to spend anything, but after winning the diamond, he began looking for a gold shop where he could get me a ring to have this fitted," she laughs.

"Unfortunately during sales you are stuck with limited sizes and colours, and the range is usually very limited. This I would say is one of the major disadvantages of buying during sales," she continues. "And have you also noticed that during sales and festivals, the percentage of men who shop increases? My husband says, it's because the women shop the whole year round, but the men pick the right time for the required things, just once a year at sales," she adds.

"Sales and festivals in Dubai are organised in such a way that you are dazzled by the products on display and are turned into a compulsive shopper," says Tom Rodrigues, manager of a trading company in Dubai.

"You start buying things you don't need and finally you end up spending more than you should have. Some people get entangled in this web. Others simply purchase things to maintain their status in the society, and it is difficult for them to get out of this race, without losing face. This can be proven easily as there would be very few people today who are able to live without credit cards and public loans," he says.

"The thought of a sale or DSF charges me up as there is so much to do the entire month," says Kashika Mathur. "The deals are mind-boggling and you can't resist buying. And me being an impulsive buyer, it takes great effort for my family to hold me back from buying. You see, I know that if my husband doesn't take me out for a holiday, I can still buy whatever I want here in Dubai," she says.

"Come festival time and a series of calls start pouring in from friends and relatives who want to come down to Dubai. Last year we had as many as 10 at a time in my house. The sales in Dubai are genuine to a great extent and offer you a chance to win in various draws. So much to do and so little time," she adds.

Kashika 's husband Prabhu, doesn't mind the sales either. "Sales are a lot of fun. I really don't mind going shopping with my wife - it might just inspire her to shop for me as well," he smiles.