Disclaimer: Review on Mouthshut Gift Exchange 2008. Review on Choosing Good Return Gifts

Whether the new MS looks rocks or not rocks, Gift shopping has become an addiction of the season.     We have never before experienced such a huge rush for any virtual stores. It is a huge store with 54 shopping counters.   what is in the store???

"Welcome to the New Mouthshut Virtual store which gives you the pleasure of shopping and exchange of gifts without spending any CASH" announces the lady at the entrance of the 4 story building.   The entrance was decorated with a live plant of Jasmine.

The major attraction is a 2 Seater Plane which cost MS30,000/-.    I could see a flying animal roaming around and checking whether this plane will fly faster than me;  also can this plane carry 2 elephants, if not at leat one.  The flying animal was requesting the cousin, who is the only richest lady who can dream of purchasing it at the moment.    The entire business lobby however is around the 1& 2 bedroom apartments.   The present price of MS10,000/- and 20,000/- looks attractive and I was told that the award winning stock broker Thakur is around of it for some time and enquiring whether this is a virtual Apt. or real.

Any model of Lap Tops are available for MS1000, where mobile cost 300, Digital camera 200, Mp3 player & DVD player for 150.  Chintan was saying that the prices are not fixed which I agrees.  To capitalize the situation the management expert Seera published a book called "The art of Bar Bar Gaining" and it become an instant best seller.

Oh!  I am thirsty… I was immediately gifted a mango juice by the mango man and I roam around with the mango juice.   Coffee, Chocolates, Orange & Apple Juice…all costs 50.    A pack of Cigarette costs 50 where a Birthday cake price tags 200, waiting for birthdays of celebrities of MS.   I was a bit disappointed since the Cafeteria manager (presently managed by Abha supported by Spike) didn't permit me to read while drinking a coffee.  I also found a huge rush for cigarettes and that too to gift for people who don't smoke or people quick smoking recently.

Next is an empty hotel, where the price tag states an invitation to hotel room for 500.  I also found a candle light dinner board on the gate of hotel's restaurant with a price tag 300.  I wondered who will invite people publicly to the hotel room where the hotel management is very optimistic.  They complain that the MS Management should permit a secret gift option so that the rooms get a good business.

Sports counter however was not empty.  A Tennis ball for 100, football and basket ball 200, Cricket bat – 300, Golf Club – 300, Tennis Racket – 300.   The hottest selling item was football.   I was expecting some trophies too in this store to give away champions, but could not locate.

The textile shop, was costly but branded.   Men's suite 1000, Salwar Kamees – 1000, Jeans (Men or Women) – 500, Bikini – 500, Skirt – 300, Tie – 200.  The only rush was around a pink bikini where men and woman rushed to guess who will gift it and how it will fit and all.   Baywatch team too is there in anticipation.   Another small area witnessed good sale was for a black cap for 100 a piece.   Somebody was however frankly wishing if the cap was pink.    Near the Textiles there had a shoe mart which is about to close since there is no sale made from it so far.  A newly appointed sales manager told that they are bringing new high heel shoes for ladies which may boost their business.

The stationary shop as expected was quite busy.    Nail polish, lip stick, lip balm all MS100/-, Make up set – 500, Friendship band – 50, hug me – 50, pinch – 50, slap – 100, punch – 200, shades – 200, kiss me – 100, I love you balloon – 500.   Shyam, Shanti, mags, Smita, Ramya …… there is a huge rush for the 'Hug…' which offers for the price of a coffee.     I could see an advertiser making huge banners for make up sets, and elephant is checking the price of a particular kind of lip sticks.  Also the lady fighting champion Smita was giving away punches right left and centre and heard that Vee, whose name is withheld for personal reason is injured seriously and is in hospital.   However a huge rush for the wrestling box was not witnessed except few exchanges here and there.

Since the price of gold is too much Jewellery there is not much sale and I only found a doctor searching for a naval ring around.   (Price tags Bracelet – 300, Naval ring – 200, Ear ring – 100, Gold ring – 500, Gold Necklace, Diamond ring – 1,000/- )

In the garden, I saw a Q for purchasing plants and flowers where  Palm tree, Red Roses, Cactus plant , Bamboo plant all available for MS100/-.  I thought nobody will buy Cactus plant, but I was surprised to see the huge rush for the thorny plant where a girl was checking if I spelled thorny correctly.

Cinema Tickets for 2 – 200.  I could see the upcoming movie's poster "Munnabhai in Virtual Store" and lot of people staring at it.  I saw few people cursing the reviewers for recommending movies which they didn't like and lost money.

I waited outside the mall after my purchase to make sure all items are delivered correctly while few points come to my mind which I share here.

I checked was whether my MS points are gone with the shopping points and happy to see that it is not gone but the shopping capacity gone down to the extent of my purchase.

Otherwise I could see people spent most of their time in exchange of gifts and writing diaries on it…people come faster with a new interest, but at the shopping counters they all look at their wallets and wondering when they can do shopping of their wish even in a virtual store…

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1. To do some kind of justice to the topic, what do you suggest the best return gift for each gift presented?

   
   




2. How do you feel the pricing scheme?  Let us bargain together to make it all cheaper!

   
   




3. What all new products you wish to add to the list to give away as gifts or return gifts?  (Hope MS will read it and add some)