Is it the gift or the thought that counts?

We all want gifts, who doesn’t? But is a gift a gift? a gift? How do you feel when you spend a lot on somebody and they don’t spend a lot on you? Is it really the thought that counts?

Gift giving has become such a minefield, so much psycho agro. For instance when you give a gift, should you include a receipt? The ‘new’ etiquette says Yes!  but personally we think that’s tacky. Leaving the receipt inside the packaging is like advertising how much you spent…not very gracious...

The Thing About the 2 Phones

Phones, phones, phones everywhere you look! When did we become so obsessed with them?

Human beings generally love to talk but nowadays, having only one phone does not seem to be enough. Once upon a time people would stare at you funny if you had two phones. These days you may very well be the odd one out if you don’t. So since we know that a person can really only talk on one phone at a time, what is up with the ‘two phone phenomenon’?

I have two phones. My ‘good’ reason is that I need a daytime phone and an evening phone (bite me). Besides, one of them is really tiny and can fit neatly into the smallest of cocktail bags.

There are a lot of people who genuinely can’t get away from it because they have to have a work phone alongside their personal phone. For most of us though, that couldn’t be farther from the truth – especially if you’re Nigerian. For example, Nigerians in Nigeria need to be on at least two networks because you never know which one is going to go down on any given day. Now, with the advent of the new networks that let you make international calls for next to nothing, Nigerians in the U.K. are getting used to having two phones too! I mean, why not? You can call people back home everyday now and not feel the effect on your wallet.

If you don’t fall into either of those categories, then you probably fall into the category of people who want an iPhone but also want to be able to ping on a Blackberry. And if that’s not you, maybe you have a Blackberry (because those are almost essential now), but you need a backup phone because you never know when the phone is going to decide to show you that spinning clock (you know the one I’m talking about...mm-hm).

Still don’t fit in? Then you probably have one of the other phones and everybody keeps asking you ‘what’s your PIN?’ and why you’re not ‘on BB – which then gets you thinking that you need a Blackberry... and you probably do. Or maybe you just need an iPhone. Or a Samsung Galaxy tab because you like to be different. Whichever one you fancy, go on over to www.u-wantit.com and snag yourself a great deal! Tell a friend to tell a friend.

Why buy Original?

When people say “Don’t buy fake products” there is usually a knee jerk reaction that follows. While some nod in agreement and tut about how fakes affect the economy, kill creativity, blah, blah, blah, (yes that’s what it sounds like if you’d love to have a designer brand you can’t afford), the gut reaction of others is the rhetorical question “why not?!”

Rather than ask why not? Maybe the question you ought to ask yourself is why? 

OK let me help. Counterfeits tend to appeal to people who want to demonstrate their status, but don’t have the funds to do so with genuine products.  Does that sound like you?

Ok. No shame in that, we all need to demonstrate our status, now and then, especially in a world that is driven by status. But the question to ask yourself is whether buying a fake, counterfeit or replica product really achieves that objective.

Not really! I think it generally has the reverse effect.  It diminishes your status and doesn’t allow you to confidently navigate high status situations.  Those who know tend to have a keen eye for such things and therefore will usually note it.

Counterfeit products are often easily spotted. The printing on closer inspection may be slightly blurred, and the embroidery and material used of low quality. We tend to go for counterfeit products because we want to save money, but in reality that doesn’t turn out to be the case. When you buy a counterfeit product you lose the benefit of the genuine designer brand. Designer brands are usually made from high quality materials to a superior standard and are therefore longer lasting. 

Longer lasting means that the high cost over the long run works out to be a pretty cool bargain. A Hermes Kelly bag bought for £1,750 12 years ago (and still going strong) works out to about £145. Per annum.  This can translate into great savings and a hedge against inflation (are you following the math?) Apart from the savings, desirable brands kept in good condition have a great resale value which makes them a great bonus buy at the end of the day. Of course they become re-desirable highly sought after “Vintage” brands which can be sold on or passed down to one’s children or relations.  Counterfeit items have no resale or auction value. More importantly however is that genuine designer brands are backed by manufacturer’s guarantee which means if there is a problem, you can return the item for repair or replacement. If your counterfeit product gets spoilt that’s it. Gone! The money you thought you were saving has gone down the drain and all you have to show for it is negative equity and valueless junk!

Still not convinced? So how do you feel about fake medicine, fake brake pads and fake electronics etc? Caught in an ethical dilemma?  Who isn’t?  Lack of money is the biggest stumbling block to all our designer dreams, especially with the holiday celebrations coming up. But do not despair there is a way to be ethical and get GENUINE designer products without stretching your finances. Go to www.uwantit.com  and acquire your desires for less.

Remember, when people see you with fake products they may begin to wonder what else is fake…