Bargain city: Dubai loves those DSF deals

Katrina Valente, 49, British, aesthetician

 

My best DSF purchase was a gorgeous Italian handbag in kid leather that I bought in 2010. The bag that originally cost Dh4,500 was on sale for Dh1.200 and I snapped it up. I used it every day for more than a year. I loved it and just about everyone commented on how lovely it was. If I could find another one, I would buy it again.”

 

Muhammad Askari, 16, Tanzanian, student 

 

My most memorable discounted purchase would be my top-of-the-line Lenovo laptop that 

 

I picked up during a DSF sale in 2013. With a 1TB HDD and 8GB RAM, it’s a beautiful machine, all for a mere Dh2,000. The market price was about Dh8,000. I recently sold it. I hope to grab another bargain this DSF.”

 

Shireen Badawi, 27, Egyptian, marketing executive

 

My best buy was the car I purchased in 2013. I was shopping for wheels when I came across the best deal ever from Kia Motors on a Kia Optima 2l. The discount on price, part of a DSF promotion, was huge. I still drive the car and will continue to do so for some time to come.” 

 

Nada Masri, 28, Lebanese, teacher 

 

The most memorable item was a beautiful jacket that I bought for about Dh150, four years ago from Springfield. The store was offering about 70 or 75 per cent discount during the 2011 DSF. I loved that jacket and wore it many times here and in Lebanon during winter. It’s one of my favourite pieces of clothing and I have it still.”  

 

Slavka Bencheva, 34, Bulgarian, marketing manager 

 

I purchased a colourful sofa during DSF 2013, which I always wanted but could not afford. It was not a planned purchase though. I was at the mall when I saw the sale at that furniture store and popped in to check. The chair has added a liveliness to my living room since.”  

 

Karan Patel, 35, Indian, marketing manager 

 

I capitalised on the DSF promotions last year by picking up a Canon 600D camera. While the camera cost Dh4,000, it came with freebies such as a TCL 32-inch LED TV, tripod, 64GB memory card, a camera bag and a Dh100 gift voucher. The camera is a constant companion during my vacations.” 

 

Hanadi Fatayerji, 46, Palestinian, teacher

 

I bought a Panasonic Lumix camera during the 2012 DSF. 

The camera was selling for Dh560 before the sale. I had my eyes set on it and finally struck a deal for Dh310 during the festival. The compact helps capture decent high-quality frames and always finds pride of place in my purse.”  

 

Huda Esmail, 30, Somalia, communications & CSR specialist

 

I remember buying two things with big tickets — a 60-inch TV screen and a Pioneer DJ set (two CDJ and one mixer) during the 2009 DSF edition. I love gadgets and am very much into electronics and sound systems. The DJ set alone cost me Dh23k but it has helped me enrich my love for mixing music.”

 

Rowzana Mulaffer, 34, Sri Lankan, housewife and student

 

Last year I bought a few electronics items during DSF including a printer, juicer and iPhone 6. What was best about these purchases were the bundle offers I received with each. A year on, I continue to use all three products. But it’s the iPhone I love most.”

 

Anjum Hasan, 42, Indian, teacher

 

I had been after my husband for quite sometime to get me a treadmill or any exercise equipment that would help me lose  some fat. I finally purchased an exercise cycle during DSF 2012. It was worth Dh1,275, but I got a great deal, picking one up for Dh500. However, I have used it only six times since.”