borders*

today, i was part of the crowd that thronged borders, parkway parade and i reckon there were at least 200 bodies cramped into the last remaining free space within the store, because many sections were barricaded.

why?

because after 9pm today, u and i no longer have any chance to step inside a borders store in singapore, being the last day that borders will ever have any presence in our tiny red dot nation, ever again.

and secondly, would u believe that every item within the store was going for a song at the ridiculous low, low price of just $2.50 per item (subject to at least 10 items purchased). imagine getting a hard bound book for this price? yes, it's true but u will have to see for yourself to believe. one caveat though, don't expect to find our former mm lee kuan yew's book, hard truths to keep singapore going or any other latest bestseller lying around.

but if u are a book worm, u'll probably find something to purchase.

*bye, bye borders, u were a breadth of fresh air when u first set up shop here 13 years ago. no other store can ever emulate your pro-consumer practises with excellent service oriented staff and oh-so-comfortable sofas provided not only to browse but read our time away without the obligation or pressure to buy anything.

we will all miss u.

my comments:

what has this blog got to do with insurance?

because the typical singaporean shopper is well known for sniffing out bargains, they will hunt for the best buys from groceries to just about anything under the sun.

but as far as insurance is concerned, far too many are still none the wiser as to not shelling out more of their hard earned monies for such products.

take for instance, my meeting last friday with a referred prospect in his early fifties who wanted a term plan with a sum assured of $500,000.00. earlier, he met another financial adviser who recommended a plan with an annual premium of $7,200.00.

but my recommendation came with an annual premium of just $5,700.00. furthermore, my plan came with an additional waiver of premium upon diagnosis of any of the 30 specified dreaded diseases.

he was definitely surprised because he had the impression that pricing amongst different insurers was not significant or could not deviate by a wide margin.

so in effect, if he had taken the other financial adviser's recommendation, he would have paid an additional $1,500.00 annually for as long as he kept the policy in-force till the expiry of the plan, which would have amounted to an extra of more than $30,000.00 taken in totality. and that is by no means a small sum of money, even if u are a person of substantial means.

and that my dear reader, would have meant the savings could have been translated to acquiring a whole new showcase of books to add to his existing library at home (if he loves to read and collect literary works) and hence, the use of borders as my topic for this blog.