Unlike well heeled folks, we normally shop around to get the best bargain based on certain criteria like load size, rpm and so on.
The weekend before last, we were in KL and SP suggested to her sister that we go to Megamall since we have not been for sometime (phobia of parking problems and traffic jams around it). At Jusco, we found a Samsung washing machine (6.5kg load) going for Rm1,649. Then her sister mentioned about Jusco card which entitles member to 10% discount, but has to wait for Jusco day. I knew about the crowds on such days and warned SP about the problem of crowd, payment and delivery.
I chanced upon an advertisement in last Sunday's Star by Houz which offered one branded 5.5 kg load front loader for Rm999! To make sure the sale is still on, I called up their customer service number and was told it was, and available. Asked about delivery and I was told that it is free for purchases above Rm3,000, otherwise it costs an extra Rm65.
I checked our Navara (with canopy) and realized that the maximum opening is only 34" while a standard washer is 36" in height. SP informed her boss, ie. her nephew, that she is taking the Mazda Fighter (without canopy) for this purpose.
Yesterday, we came to KL solely for this purpose, and having son and daughter to join us for dinner was a bonus that comes with such a 'working trip'. Except for last weekend, the past previous weekends we were in KL for one occasion or the other.
According to the advertisement, Houz has two large outlets, one near 1 Utama and another new one in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Upon arrival in Jalan TAR, I realized it was built on the same site as the former Lee Wong Kee Restaurant, which brought back memories because a number of my relatives had their wedding dinners there many years ago. I used to go there for dinner with my former bosses after our company meetings. One of them, Datuk Othman, a former private secretary of Tun Razak, used to relate to us stories about his good old times at the restaurant. His favourite dish was the 'Kwongfu Chau, yeen yong' which is fried kwayteow in gravy with crispy meehoon on top, Cantonese style. As for me, the most lasting impression was the western cakes served at wedding tea parties. Maybe it was because of being deprived when young, the taste was nothing I could find again in modern cake shops. While on this subject, there was also an Indian Muslim restaurant, Kassim which used to be further down Jalan TAR towards Jalan Tun Perak (formerly Jalan Mountbatten), which curry I used to love and the taste of which I have yet to find in another similar restaurant again!
Anyway, the sales person in Houz was surprised when I mentioned about the sales item. I had to go back to the car to show him the advertisement. He called someone to confirm. Then he said that the sale was only for 3 days and that it was over. I told him there was no mention of it and even based on 3 days, it should be still valid. Then he mentioned the number I called was the other outlet. But he was most accommodating, knowing that we came all the way from BG, he being from Ipoh, he was willing to sell based on the advertised price. Now, that certainly gave us a very good impression. But as usual, SP had her priority when it comes to selection of household goods (she used to be a Home Economics teacher in UK). She reasoned that a bigger load would be more practical (less frequent wash, therefore saves on electricity in the long run) because of the same wattage and rpm found in both the 6.5 kg and 5.5 kg washer. We managed to reduce the price from Rm1,649 to Rm1,500 and took it home on a cash and carry basis! We were given Rm45 in vouchers, but on the condition that we use it the next day or within a month. The rationale seems to entice us to come back again.
Again, from experience, SP insisted that we buy a piece of wire mesh to prevent rats from going under the machine to set up nest. Some machines come with one, but most are without. At the moment, the machine is yet to be installed by ourselves because of this outstanding item. Sigh... how I wish I could just buy and have it delivered and installed without me lifting a finger!
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