I've been blogging with three fabulous women for a year and a half now and have been enjoying all the fun topics we come up with week after week. If you want to see what we've discussed in the past, check out our posts here.
This week, I picked the topic: What is your favorite and least favorite place to shop and why (for both)?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
I thought the subject line would be a good title for another Sophie Kinsella novel. Maybe if she partnered with George Lucas...(or Disney these days).
Favorite:
When I first moved here, one of my friends kept telling me how I had to go to Value Village with her sometime. The first time I set foot in that store, I was blown away by the sheer magnitude of all the clothes, toys and books. It was before Halloween, so I stocked up on costumes for my kids to use for dress-up. Then I went back for their 50% off sale on Veteran's day and was in seventh heaven. The clothes are already marked down big time, so half off of that is practically a steal! I was able to put together my kids' wardrobes in no time! And pajamas too...don't even get me started. I don't believe in spending $12 on a pajama set when I can get it for $2 at Value Village! When I was pregnant with my daughter, I would get all my maternity clothes there. They had some cute and fashionable items. The best thing is that a lot of the clothing they sell is from popular retailers, such as New York and Company, Ann Taylor, The Gap, Old Navy, Gymboree, etc. Aside from the clothes, I've found some cool DVDs, such as boxed sets of Full House and My So-Called Life. I've also gotten tons of CDs to listen to in my car, including replacements for ones I had that were scratched up. And if I thought that my library's used bookstore was the best thing ever, the book prices at Value Village make that store look overpriced. I recently found Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer for $2.50...in HARDCOVER! It's a relatively new book too. With Value Village, I never know what I'm going to find each time...it's like going on a treasure hunt! I've also been spoiled against paying retail prices, rendering trips to the mall as pointless. Value Village is part of a thrift chain called Unique. They are set up the same way. Unique is closer to my office, so I go there on special sale days or if I need to stock up on clothes.
Least favorite:
You'd think that someone like me would instantly shun Home Depot because I've always hated hardware stores. As a kid, I thought they were boring, but I don't mind them now because I can easily get in and out with just what I need and nothing more. I only wish that were the case with Bed, Bath and Beyond. I have major problems with going to B3. It's just too overwhelming and I know that once I'm sucked into their vortex, I won't be able to leave without spending a ridiculous amount of money. To me, B3 is like a casino in Las Vegas. There are no windows, except in the front. There are no clocks, or at least none that I can recall. And the smells of candles and fresh linen are pumped through the air at regular intervals. Then there are the weekly 20% off coupon mailings. It's like those guys in Vegas who slap their hand to grab your attention and then give you a pamphlet advertising prostitutes. The coupons don't really do much since they're for one item and if it's not a crazy expensive item, you may just get a dollar off if you're lucky. There's one item I usually need, which is a plastic tablecloth cover. However, those are not sold at their online store and that forces me to go to the store as a result. It's like they know the one way to lure me into their clutches! And I have to go halfway around the store before finding the item. So I pass all the cooking utensils and question whether I need any of them, lest my cooking become a disaster otherwise. And then there are the other clearance racks around the store, selling all sorts of interesting items. As I make my way toward the front of the store, they have DVDs and other gift items. Finally, there will be items displayed to catch my eye as I'm checking out, making me wonder if I should be getting those, as well. I leave the store in the throes of a panic attack, wondering if I even got what I came there for and if I potentially missed out on some great deal that will never come around again. Now you can see how B3 is torturous to someone who is spoiled against retail prices...
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2 comments:
I was a huge VV fan when I lived in Oregon! We had one in my hometown, and I shopped there often, especially as a teen, when retro was big! I also try to avoid as you call it, "B3". Other than when someone is registered there, I don't bother. Too much stuff, too expensive, and it's hard to find things.
Hahaha. I hoard those 20% off mailings - but they've gotten smart, now it's 20% off until (x date) and then 10% off after that. They never expire so I have hoarded quite a few. The $5 off $15 coupons are better though, IMO, unless you are buying something pricey. (ie, 20% off $50 would be $10, so that would be better in that case.)
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