Vintage Look Owl Ring, Brand New... $12
Happy Friday faithful readers! Did you have a good week? Any thoughts about my tips and suggestions from last week? Any success stories? I’d love to hear about them!
This week I want to offer up some more tips and suggestions to make your holiday great! I know, you already have that under control… but I will try my hardest to offer up maybe something you haven’t already thought of…
This week I want to offer up some more tips and suggestions to make your holiday great! I know, you already have that under control… but I will try my hardest to offer up maybe something you haven’t already thought of…
Shop local! I will never forget several years ago I went to the mall to try and find a special gift for someone. The people were crabby, the lines were long, there were twenty seven different Christmas songs playing in my ear at all times… it was just a nightmare. I went from shop to shop, sometimes getting pushed and shoved, and ended up walking away frustrated and empty handed.
I came down the hill feeling defeated, and as a last ditch effort, decided to go to the Ithaca Commons. The very first store I walked into was calm and warm, I was greeted as soon as I walked in, and the staff was friendly and helpful… from that store to the next, and the next, was the very same experience! I ended up getting something very special, ad went home feeling very good about my experience with shopping local.
Again, there are many extremely wonderful businesses that offer a variety of services as well, from tattoo and piercing to massage, to salon services or even theatre tickets! In this instance, I think a gift certificate is completely appropriate!
Ask for a discount! As I have mentioned before, don’t be afraid to ask! Some people are intimidated by asking for a better price, but what’s the worst that happens? They say no. Most places, even antique malls that have multiple vendors under one roof, have either a standard permission from vendors to give 10-25% off, or they will call the vendor to find out if they are willing to give a better price. Especially if you offer cash, so they don’t have to pay credit card fees!
I have even gotten discounts in big box retail environments. If an item has a blemish or flaw, point it out. Or just simply ask! A cashier may have an extra coupon behind the counter, or a discount code that they can use (I worked retail for 15+ years, I know this is true)! I even got produce for half price at the local whole foods store the other day because my product was wilty, and I asked!
Plan ahead! I know I mentioned this already, but this is a different concept. Go online and look to see if there are any online coupons to be had. If you have a smart phone, you don’t even have to carry a coupon, you just show them the code on your phone screen and they scan that! This is applicable for places like Michael’s, AC Moore, and Hobby Lobby… but also for restaurants and retail establishments, too!
Retailers are trying to make your experience as pleasant and snafu free now more than ever because they don’t want to lose your business to online retailers like Amazon! More places than ever are offering a service that allows you to pay online and pick up in-store. No lines!
After all that bargain hunting, sit down, relax, and have a nice cup of hot tea... this will get you thinking about...
Next week: Alternate or "Alternative" gift ideas!
I came down the hill feeling defeated, and as a last ditch effort, decided to go to the Ithaca Commons. The very first store I walked into was calm and warm, I was greeted as soon as I walked in, and the staff was friendly and helpful… from that store to the next, and the next, was the very same experience! I ended up getting something very special, ad went home feeling very good about my experience with shopping local.
Again, there are many extremely wonderful businesses that offer a variety of services as well, from tattoo and piercing to massage, to salon services or even theatre tickets! In this instance, I think a gift certificate is completely appropriate!
Ask for a discount! As I have mentioned before, don’t be afraid to ask! Some people are intimidated by asking for a better price, but what’s the worst that happens? They say no. Most places, even antique malls that have multiple vendors under one roof, have either a standard permission from vendors to give 10-25% off, or they will call the vendor to find out if they are willing to give a better price. Especially if you offer cash, so they don’t have to pay credit card fees!
I have even gotten discounts in big box retail environments. If an item has a blemish or flaw, point it out. Or just simply ask! A cashier may have an extra coupon behind the counter, or a discount code that they can use (I worked retail for 15+ years, I know this is true)! I even got produce for half price at the local whole foods store the other day because my product was wilty, and I asked!
Plan ahead! I know I mentioned this already, but this is a different concept. Go online and look to see if there are any online coupons to be had. If you have a smart phone, you don’t even have to carry a coupon, you just show them the code on your phone screen and they scan that! This is applicable for places like Michael’s, AC Moore, and Hobby Lobby… but also for restaurants and retail establishments, too!
Retailers are trying to make your experience as pleasant and snafu free now more than ever because they don’t want to lose your business to online retailers like Amazon! More places than ever are offering a service that allows you to pay online and pick up in-store. No lines!
After all that bargain hunting, sit down, relax, and have a nice cup of hot tea... this will get you thinking about...
Next week: Alternate or "Alternative" gift ideas!
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