My Shopping Conquest... Porter International Bag of Joy

Porter International had their Bag of Joy event today...

This Bag of Joy is very similar to the Fukubukuro sold in Japan...

The concept of Fukubukuros (福袋) is an age old tradition in Japan... originating from the Ginza Matsuya Department Store... where they were 'invented' some 100 years ago... during the late Meiji period...

On... before or after... Japanese New Year... which is the same as the Western New Year... Many Japanese retailers will set up shelves of fukubukuros either in their shop or right outside...

These fukubukuros are grab bags filled with random merchandise... and than sold at a discount of usually 50% - 70% the contents retail value.... think... sale items stuffed in a paper bag... or bag... or even luggage...

Sounds good???

But here's the catch or where the word "fuku" or luck comes in... one does not know what's in the bags!!! It's all by luck whether you get items that you luv or need or like or been longing for...

Most retailers will indicate sizes if its clothing... or the gender the bags are meant for but other than that it all depends on ones luck...

So of course... Porter International... being a subsidiary of Porter Yoshida of Tokyo... would hold such an event as well... but being branched in Taiwan... it is held in observance of the Lunar New Year instead...

This is the second year Porter International had held such an event at their Wisma Atria store...

This year's event was made even grander with the performance of a traditional Lion Dance before the event was opened to the public at 12 noon... If one had a priority queue pass... those get to shop 1st at 9am!!!

Looking at the numbers on the bags... I think there were at least 200 over bags available... But when I arrived at about 3pm... there were less than 10 bags left...

The bags were all secured with a very well made lock... etched with Porter International logo... After some quick touchy feelly... Hee Hee... I settled with bag number 56... I paid and was handed the keys to the lock... It's a generic key meant for all the generic locks and was similar to the ones from last year...

The items inside were wrapped together in bubble wrap... which means even with some fondling... one still really can't tell what is inside exactly...

Did I make a right choice with 56??? I think I did... very good choice in fact...

An olive colored coated canvas shoulder bag... perfect for shopping on rainy days... slung across and close to the body...

A matching billfold... I just luv matching accessories...

A dark brown coated canvas coin and tissue pouch... no more excuses not to carry some tissues on me... 

Porter International 10th anniversary figurine... Mr Porter... from 2011...

With a price tag of S$59... This is an item I would luv but would never pay for...

Mr Porter is made of sturdy vinyl... fully poseable... a handsome face... dressed in a black porter outfit... with magnetic porter hat that could be taken off (heart!!!) and... a Porter bag... with Porter's signature mini torchlight... How cute is that!!!

Overall... I am very pleased with the items... Especially Mr Porter...

IMO... I may only have 4 items... some bags had 5 or 6... but personally... I thought the 4 I got... as much more suited for me than some of the items I saw others found in their bags... mouse pads... key chains... tee shirts...

At S$158 per Bag of Joy... I think mine was a.... lucky well worth the price tag...  joyful steal.