Monday, December 21, 2009

SALES SCHMALES or HOW TO MAKE A PROFIT IN TODAY'S ECONOMY

Ok, so I waited a little late to do my Christmas shopping this year: I've been sick. First the flu, and then really BAD sinus infection. (Thanks. Glad you asked. I'm better now.) But where are these big sales they keep pitching on TV, hour by hour?

We went to Kohl's, which I'd say is a J C Penney type store, in Ohio to buy kids' clothes for Christmas presents. "50% off, 25% off, BUY 1 GET 1 HALF PRICE": you know the drill. I'm ready to get my bargains. The last outfits I'd purchased were this summer for birthdays. Was there a fleece shortage I missed? Has the stock gone up on denim? Was there a famine in Taiwan so that the cost of acrylic has been raised? What about cotton? The so-called sale prices were at about the same level that "regular prices" were a couple of months ago.

Now I'm not a cheapskate, but I like to get the most (and cutest) for my money. Why was this adorable embossed red cotton sweater in boys size 3T worth $30.00? What about the cute brown, pink, and jade fleece hoodie in girl's size 6 being $24.00, and don't even ask about the matching pants. A black tweed (cotton and acrylic) sweater in 8P for my mom, $50.00. When it was all tallied up I'd "saved $145.00", which is just about the amount I spent for four toddlers outfits. Pardon me, but I do believe there is something wrong here. No wonder families with kids go to Walmart (ugh) and Dollar General (great to "run in" for stuff).

Yes, I know, I got my 50% or whatever off, but I got the feeling it was no bargain. Was the old shell game of raising prices only to give-you-a-sale-price -later in effect here? My total for my purchases, while not being exorbitant, was certainly not of the we-know-we're in a recession genre. It was more like the stores want to make you THINK you're getting more for you dollar. You know: like when your cereal is in a smaller box, but the price is the same. Is it me, or did anyone else notice this?

11 comments:

  1. The so-called sale prices were what at about the same level that "regular prices" were a couple of months ago.

    Of course they jacked up the prices before they put them on sale. That's an old trick. The best sales will come after Christmas.

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  2. I'm sure you knew. :-)

    Off topic, Merry Christmas to Judi and all here.

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  3. And Merry Christmas to you & yours as well. Hope you gets lots of catnip! ;-)

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  4. OOOPs, did I really type that? I've not even hit the eggnog yet!! Sorry about the typo.

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  5. Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas to all you cool cats and pretty kitties! And have a purrrfect New Year!

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  6. Hope you had fun with the eggnog!! ;-)

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  7. Actually, don't do dairy much. But let me tell you about that wine...!!!!

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  8. Woooo Hooo! A beer for me!

    Happy New Year to you and all here.

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  9. Thank you! Finally getting over the flu and a sinus infection, so I'm getting ready to rock. Hello 2010!

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  10. Ouch!! So sorry you were ill, and I hope you are back in full force!

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