Amazon: Sometimes You Get What You Pay For

I posted this to my Tumblr page several months ago, but wanted to share it again here.

Amazon is an amazing online retailer!  You can find pretty much anything you're looking for, and you can get it at a fairly decent price.  When I first started shopping there years ago, I had no intention of ever looking elsewhere for anything ever again.  These days, unfortunately, I find myself shopping on Amazon less and less.

For Mother's Day earlier this year, I decided to introduce my mom to the world of smartphones by getting her a Samsung Galaxy SIII.  I needed to purchase accessories for her new phone, so where else would I look?

I knew from reading other blogs and the customer reviews on Amazon that some of their sellers were not being very honest and were selling counterfeit items.  One important piece of advice that pretty much everyone had was, if you're buying from a third-party seller, make sure that it says the order is being "fulfilled by Amazon."  That way, the item that you're purchasing is going through an additional check point (the seller's items are actually being sent from the Amazon warehouses) before it gets to you.

I went one step further - I chose to buy directly from Amazon.  It didn't work.

Authentic Samsung products have a holographic "Samsung Original" sticker.

You can tell the cardboard packaging was cut by hand - the edges are off.

They totally sent me a knock-off.

To be honest, for what I paid (a mere fraction of the MSRP), I would've been happy if the stupid case had just fit on the phone, but it didn't even do that.  I basically paid for trash.

I filed a complaint, returned the case, and got my money back.  It seemed like Amazon was having one of its third-party sellers fulfill their orders; the original link I had for the item now directs to a different seller.  From what I understand, though, that wasn't the first nor will it be the last seller to completely dupe customers on the site.  Instead of trying my luck again with Amazon, I decided to head to my local Best Buy, where I could actually see that I was buying the real thing.

My friends, this problem doesn't end with smartphone accessories, unfortunately.  I would be very, very careful when purchasing anything from third-party sellers online.

This is also true with imported cosmetics, especially BB creams from Asia.  Many of the bigger companies (Missha, Skin79, Skinfood, etc.) have websites/online shops operating in the U.S., as well as operating actual brick and mortar stores.  Even though the prices there can be a bit higher than what you can find on Amazon or Ebay, I would really recommend purchasing from legit places.  You really don't know what you're getting from these third-party sellers.  It could be completely fine, or it could just be older or stolen merchandise, but it could also be lower grade, possibly harmful cosmetics disguised in brand name packaging.

In any case, when making purchases online, make sure you do your research so that any decisions you make are well-informed ones.  Caveat emptor!

***
UPDATE (May 26, 2014):  I was recently looking up YouTube videos on Clarisonic facial cleansing systems, and I came across a video illustrating the differences between real and knock-off Clarisonics.  The woman in the video was gifted a Clarisonic Mia2 that was purchased on Amazon, which isn't an authorized dealer of Clarisonic products.  I just wanted to add this as more reason to be careful of what you buy through third-party sellers.
*** 

Some Online Discounts

I hate promoting irresponsible consumerism, especially these days. However, here are a few discount codes for those of you who have been planning to purchase from these brands anyway:

Urban Decay
30% Friends & Family Discount (valid through August 20): FNFF1

Korres
30% Discount, courtesy of Musings of a Muse (valid through September 15): MUSE

These discount codes are only valid on their respective websites (i.e. not at Sephora, Ulta, etc.).

Remember, shop smart!

Urban Decay 30% Discount

It's that time of year! Enter code FNFS9 at checkout, and get 30% off your entire order from Urban Decay.

If you've signed up to receive newsletters from other skincare/cosmetics companies, you probably noticed that many of them are having similar discount events right now. These are tough times for many, so it's that much more important to shop wisely. Of course, not spending your money at all is the best way to save, but these discounts are great for those things that you "just need to have". They come about twice a year (one right around now and another around Fall), so plan wisely!

Too Faced Vintage Sale

Get all of the older Too Faced items at close to 75% off in their Vintage Super Sale. Lip glosses, eye shadows, brushes, palettes - all for under $20 (and many for under $10)! Can't beat those prices!

The sale ends April 6.

Valentine's/Presidents Day Weekend Deals

Heads up on a few online deals:

• ULTA: Free shipping on orders over $25 (normally $50). Use promo code 22519 at checkout.


• Shu Uemura: Free shipping on orders over $35 (normally $75). Use promo code FEB09 at checkout.


• Belli Skincare: 20% off all online purchases. Use promo code VDAY20 at checkout.


• Benefit: 14% off all online purchases. Use promo code BEMINE09 at checkout.


• Clinique: Free shipping on all orders. Use promo code WEEKEND at checkout.

Remember, many of these online retailers are affiliated with various cash back services (such as Ebates), so be sure to take advantage of that.

Also, Glen Ivy gift cards are also on sale again. Get a $100 gift card for only $75 (offer good until Valentine's Day).

To get news about more online deals, be sure to sign up for the email newsletters of your favorite beauty companies.

Ulta 20% Off Friends & Family Discount

Need to stock up on new makeup for the new season? Looks like it's your lucky day! Ulta is having its Friends & Family Discount. You get 20% off your entire purchase (excluding fragrances by Chanel, Estée Lauder, and Lancôme, as well as clearance merchandise), both in store (with a coupon) and online (using promo code 82548 at check out). If you haven't already subscribed to the Ulta email list, then check their website for coupon information. This is valid only until 1/19 (this Monday).

If you're shopping online, don't forget to redeem your Ebates bonus!!!

25% Off MAC

Get 25% off MAC online purchases through January 8. Enter code MACFF9 at checkout.

The "New" Black Friday...

So, as many of you are probably already aware, the sales cease to end. I've heard several people/places/things reference the day after Christmas as the "new" Black Friday (what happens when Christmas doesn't fall on a Thursday?). Here are but a few deals you can still check out for: a) a late Christmas gift (hey, today's only day 2 of 12); b) next year's Christmas gifts; c) an upcoming birthday/anniversary; or d) a little gift for yourself. Enjoy!

• LUSH - Buy any holiday item; get one free.
  
• Benefit "Sale-abration"
  
• Bath & Body Works Big Semi-Annual Sale
  
• Belli 30% Off End of Year Sale (enter promo code YEAREND30 at checkout)
  
• Boscia $25 off of a $100 purchase (enter promo code 25off at checkout)
  
• Drugstore.com End-of-Year Sale
  
• Crate & Barrel Winter Sale
• Sephora Big Beauty Sale

Glen Ivy Gift Card Discounts and Other Promos

Those of you who live in Southern California may or may not be familiar with Glen Ivy, our local hot springs spa and resort. They have three locations: the hot springs in Corona and two day spas in Brea and Valencia.

From now until December 24, you can purchase $100 Glen Ivy gift cards for $75 (that's a 25% discount)! These gift cards never expire, and the recipient can enter the spa for free on his/her birthday (normal rates are $35 during the week, and $48 on weekends and holidays).

Other discounts and promotions include:

• Free admission on your birthday (proof of date of birth required).
  
• 2 for 1 admission on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (until Dec 24).
  
• 20% off admission for firefighters (valid proof of ID required).
  
• 15% off admission for seniors (55+), Corona residents, military, police, nurses and teachers.

(Note: Discounts for admission are not valid online.)

If you've never been to Glen Ivy, it's actually a pretty decent place to go. I've organized many spa days with girlfriends and have treated my mom to a birthday here. The only way I can describe it is as a sort of "spa theme park", with several pools and baths located all over their "campus". It's not an expensive, luxury resort, but it's pretty good for the money.

Oh, and while you're there, be sure to visit Tom's Farms, the local country store.

Ends Today: 20% Off Cherry Culture

Cherry Culture, an online retailer of affordable cosmetics, is offering 20% off all purchases. Unfortunately, this only lasts through the end of today (Dec 18).

I was recently turned on to Cherry Culture by YouTube makeup artist xteeener. They carry one of my new favorite cosmetics brands, NYX.

For those of you not familiar with NYX, this is some really great stuff! The brand has developed a sort of cult following among many makeup fanatics, many of whom rank these products higher than many luxury boutique or department store brands. Here are a few of my own favorites:

• Round Lipstick - Smooth and highly pigmented. Doesn't dry out your lips. Has a scent/taste that I can only describe as "Asian scented pen" (a mix between fruity and floral; people who shop at Sanrio and other Asian stationery stores know what I'm talking about), but I don't find it too offensive.
  
• All eyeshadow - Very soft and smooth texture. Blends SO easily. Great color payoff.
  
• Powder Blush - Again: soft, smooth, blends easily, and great color payoff.
  

The only thing that I can see people having a problem with is the fact that, while NYX is an American company, their products are made in China (they try to be fancy by using "P.R.O.C." instead). I, personally, don't find a problem with it. I have extremely sensitive skin, and I haven't noticed it giving me any weird reactions (unlike MAC, by the way, but that's an entirely different post). BUT there has been some major concern regarding products made in China within the last year, so I can understand people wanting to steer clear of it.

Anyway, if you're brave and want to give your support to inexpensive, good quality makeup, then take this opportunity to try NYX out.

Today Only: 20% Off Benefit Cosmetics

Get 20% off your entire order from Benefit Cosmetics by entering TWENTY08 (that's "zero eight") at checkout. This offer is only good until midnight tonight (Dec 17, 11:59 pm).

I'll be honest, I'm not exactly the biggest fan of Benefit. I feel like a lot of their products are overpriced and mediocre (subpar, even). However, there are a few products that I've wanted to try, so I feel just a little more inclined to try them out with this discount. I can also activate an Ebates ticket for Benefit to get extra cash back, so there's an extra (little) incentive.

Anyway, check out their website and see if anything catches your eye. I might try giving their Lemon Aid eyelid primer a test run, but we'll see.

Great Things Come to Those Who Wait!!!

I said it before, and I'll say it again: Screw Black Friday! Better deals come as Christmas nears. MAC is now offering a 25% discount on their Holiday Kits Collection.


This offer is good both online and at your local MAC counter (MAC boutiques included), and is good while supplies last.

Get your gift on!

Past Post:
Attention All MAC Fanatics!!! (Holiday 2008 Collection)

Macy's Friends & Family Sale

Hey all. The sales DEFINITELY did not end with Black Friday a couple of weeks ago. Here now is the Macy's Friends & Family sale. Enter the code MACYSFRIEND at checkout, and get 20% off your entire purchase. Spend more than $99, and you'll also qualify for free shipping. The only downside is that this offer does not apply to cosmetics, fragrances/perfumes, toys, and Coach products (uh, then why even bother, right???).

Anyway, if you decide to make use of this promotion, remember that Macy's is also an Ebates affiliate, so make sure you get that extra cash back.

This offer is only good through December 15.

20% Off Bare Escentuals, This Weekend Only

Hey bareMinerals fans. Through this weekend only (Dec 5-7), Bare Escentuals is offering 20% off your entire order of Bare Escentuals and m.d. formulations products. This includes the ever popular i.d. bareMinerals products - just in time for gifting, but also perfect for stocking up. Just use promo code BELUV at checkout. (Shipping is free only for purchases over $75.) Also, Bare Escentuals is an Ebates affiliate, so be sure to log in for extra cash back!

Remember, this offer is only valid for purchases made through the Bare Escentuals website.

Black Friday, Shmlack Friday

I only participated in Black Friday once in my life, and that was at a Walmart about 4 years ago. The doors were supposed to open at 6:00am, so my brother and I left our house at 5:30, thinking it was an appropriate time to leave.

WRONG. We arrived at the Walmart at around 5:45am, and there was already a line of shoppers with shopping carts winding around the parking lot. My brother got out of the car to save us a spot in line while I went to find parking. Amazingly, the line moved pretty fast as soon as the store opened. Unfortunately, people didn't slow down once they got inside. Everyone thought they were competing in Supermarket Sweep.



My brother and I, having left our house with intentions of getting a flat-screen TV, ended up leaving Walmart with nothing. We were positively traumatized by what we saw and what we had to endure during our 10 minutes there.

If you, like me, decided to sit out Black Friday this year (or, in my case, forever), don't fret. According to many financial experts, with the current economic maladies, "Black Friday" will actually be more like "Black Winter." Don't regret having missed any incredible deals last Friday because, according to them, we'll still be seeing more great deals to come before Christmas.

Meanwhile, take some time to read a few tips from Oprah's favorite money coach, Jean Chatzky:

6 Ways to Find Great Holiday Deals

Belli Cosmetics 20% Off Thru Monday

Enter code GETSAFE20 at checkout and get 20% off all purchases from Belli Cosmetics. This promotion will only be with us through Monday, December 1, so don't dilly-dally. Shipping is free with any order over $75 (otherwise, it's $9 for regular ground shipping).

Belli Cosmetics is a cosmetics company that caters specifically towards expectant and new mothers, although anyone can use their products, really. They tout themselves as being the "#1 recommended skin care brand by OB-GYNs," and even have a celebrity following.

I don't use the products myself, but I've heard much praise about their Elasticity Belly Oil and Acne Clearing Facial Wash, which is supposed to be the "safest acne solution for pregnancy," but it seems to be popular with those without child as well.

I won't lie: the products are a bit pricey. However, many women swear by them. Even if you don't think these products will suit you, try considering them as gifts for that next baby shower you attend.

Shu Uemura Friends & Family Event

Through December 1, you can get 20% off plus free shipping on any Shu Uemura order with the code SHUFRIENDS. This deal is also available in their boutiques in Boston, San Francisco, and Costa Mesa (South Coast Plaza, y'all!).

Shu Uemura is a high-end, luxury cosmetics brand and, as such, is a bit more on the pricey side. But if you ever had the urge to try some of their stuff, this would be your chance. If you don't know where to begin, check out their bestsellers. Their mini eyelash curler was also featured on both Oprah's TV show and magazine. My own personal favorites include their lipsticks, blushes, and cleansing oils (treasured by most makeup fans, this stuff takes off a full face of makeup and rinses CLEAN off your face - literally, one-step cleansing).

Anyway, take a sec to browse and see if there's anything you like. Also, keep in mind that Ebates also has a cash back offer with Shu Uemura (5%). Happy shopping!


* NOTE: The discount codes that I mention anywhere on this blog/website, unless specified otherwise, are only valid on the company's website, and not with any other retailer (e.g. Sephora).

Hard Candy 75% Off Sale

Times are rough, let me tell you! "Black Friday" has become "Black November" for many retailers.

I don't know what Hard Candy's deal is... Maybe it doesn't plan to be with us much longer? Who knows? But its 75% off sale is back!!! You get 75% off EVERYTHING online, no code needed (shipping is still $5 via USPS).

I am concerned, though, because between this 75% off sale and the one earlier this year, everything's been half off. AND you can't even find these products in stores anymore. Hmm... Is master Urban Decay trying to cut off this ailing limb?

In any case, most of this makeup is fairly good quality (it did have a fairly good run at Sephora back in the day). The packaging is cute, and the colors are nice and girly. With the 75% off deal, most products fall under $10. If anything, these could make good holiday gifts for tween girly girls.

Too Faced Friends & Family Event

Too Faced is offering a 25% discount on all purchases through Dec 3. Just enter the code "TFFriends" (without the quotation marks, of course) when you check out.

I'm not an avid user of Too Faced products, but I hear their Lash Injection mascara is worth checking out. People also say that the Shadow Insurance eyeshadow primer is pretty good, second only to cult favorite Eyeshadow Primer Potion from Urban Decay. Here's a list of their best sellers, just to give you an idea.

For a limited time, Too Faced is offering free shipping with any online order. Plus, each order gets a free sample of your choice. Win/win all the way!

'Tis the Season

With holidays come all the special holiday deals. If you're like me, you've signed up to receive email newsletters on all the makeup websites and have started receiving emails about all the various holiday promotions and discounts. Here are a couple that are still good (many offers just expired within the last week, such as the Sephora 20% off event):

• Urban Decay 30% Off code: FFH30 (Good until 11/18). This is for 30% off your entire purchase, before shipping costs. Shipping is free for purchases over $75, otherwise $5 for regular USPS shipping.
  
  In case you're not familiar with Urban Decay, they're mostly known for their eye makeup, although check out their lipsticks with the little dagger on the end (can't really comment on the quality of the lipstick (heard it's quite good, but some people seem to dislike the caramel scent/flavor), but the packaging is very interesting). Urban Decay's packaging design and some of its products may give off an extreme rocker vibe, but they do have some "normal" colors in the mix that are great for everyday use. They also pride themselves for being cruelty free (some of their products are vegan, and they even won an award from PETA, like it or not).



• LUSH Free $20 Gift code: LL20GIFT08 (Good until 11/28). This is for a free $20 LUSH gift package on purchases over $50. The gift you get isn't your typical "free gift with purchase"; this is a free wrapped box set that is normally available for purchase from LUSH, although your choices will be limited to what LUSH is offering for this particular promo. You can buy a few things for yourself, a few things for your Mom or best friend, and have your Secret Santa gift for work taken care of. Not only that, but LUSH also throws in a few interesting samples with every online order.
  
  LUSH is known for their organic, all natural bath and body products. I'm currently using their skincare products, solid shampoos, and body butters. I also LOVE their soaps (they are the softest, creamiest soaps I have ever used). A lot of their products are preservative-free and, therefore, have a short shelf-life, so keep that in mind when you buy.

There are a few cosmetics companies that I haven't subscribed to, so there might be a few more online shops still offering discounts. Check out Retailmenot.com to get any discount codes I might have missed here.

If you miss any of these promotional discounts, just remember that online cosmetics shops regularly offer free shipping deals and the like, so even if you miss this one, as long as you are in the loop, another discount event will come your way.