topic Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around! in Community Chat

Why it Pays to Shop Around!

Its Me LuLuBelle2 — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 03:15:25 GMT

Three years ago I was in Big Lots buying kitchen goods, sheets and towels. I saw the prettiest, colorful bird throw pillow but walked away as I had no place to use it, but it stayed on my brain. Well last year I redid a guest room and that pillow would be a perfect accent piece. Went back to Big Lots and no more bird pillow. I went on-line to Big Lots and yes, there it was, but I needed to spend $99 for free shipping. I didn't need $87 worth of other stuff for a $12 pillow. So I scowered the internet and found my pillow. Yay! But the prices were astounding. Amazon wanted $36.95 + $11.99 for shipping. Nope, didn't buy it. Yesterday I went back to my Big Lots and there it was - my dream bird pillow for $12 (and it was the last one in stock so it was meant to be). Sometimes patience and perseverance (and being cheap) does pay off - lol!

Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around!

kivah — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 03:35:17 GMT

I just received my new grey/brown leather loveseat 3 days ago - and before I received it, I went to Bed/Bath on-line to buy throw pillows. I was on their site every day for a couple of weeks - checking out throw pillows - because I didn't know what size, color, texture, etc. I wrote down several of my choices -- and then I spotted a beautiful Designer Throw Pillow, 18"x18", and I ordered two. I also ordered its matching 12"x18" horizontal throw pillow. Manufacturer Waterford (Carrick). Grey/Champagne design. Each had been $50 - reduced to $20 each. I also received a 20% discount on one pillow. They were delivered to me 2 days ago. What a buy and they look beautiful.

Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around!

Its Me LuLuBelle2 — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 03:39:50 GMT

@kivah, you're my kinda gal - I love a bargain, and especially ones we love and appreciate. Enjoy yours!

Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around!

Irshgrl31201 — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 05:04:48 GMT

Hello @Its Me LuLuBelle2! Do you mind me asking how much the original shipping was if you didn't spend the extra $87 to qualify for free shipping?

Congratulations on your purchase and savings.

For some reason this usually backfires on me, lol!! It is so aggravating! The last time it really made me so mad I wanted to cry. I ended up looking around and not only could I not find it cheaper but couldn't find it at all. Then I went back to purchase it at the place where I had originally found it and it was sold out. I don't have the best of luck. Ugh! Now if it is something I really really want, I go ahead and purchase it and if I find a better price elsewhere, I go back and cancel (if possible).

Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around!

Sookie Says — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 05:13:13 GMT

@Its Me LuLuBelle2 Congrats! You are a good & patient shopper, I could learn alot from you.

Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around!

Its Me LuLuBelle2 — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 05:25:25 GMT

@Irshgrl31201, hey, great question! A $12 pillow weighing mere ounces would have been $4.95 for shipping - which I just wasn't willing to pay.

My DH and I were just talking about things we were happy to pay for and things that we could certainly afford, but shocked our sensibilities. Mediocre movies, for $15 a ticket, that will soon show up on TV, are ridiculous and we won't go see it. But two weeks ago we took 2 very good friends out to dinner and dropped almost $300 for the 4 of us for a fabulous meal and were more than happy to do it.

I hope you find the bargain on your "dream" purchase! Remember, it took me 3 years to score that bird pillow! Hang in there! LuLu

Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around!

panda1234 — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 07:03:12 GMT

If I don't buy something I really want and it is gone, I obsess over it. Right now there is a handbag that was on Zulily that I did not buy because I didn't need it. Wasn't a lot of money, just didn't need it. That was several months ago and it has never been back and I can not find it anywhere else.

Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around!

on the bay — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 09:01:48 GMT

@Its Me LuLuBelle2-

Yea! What a great pillow story!

Such a good feeling when you can finally get that special something that you searched around for and the right price until voila!-There it is!

My grandmother always said, if you see something you like, get it then!

(of course I don't always do this now. There has to be some restraint🤔 😬 !

Anyway-yea for your pillow and you!🤗

Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around!

AngelPuppy1 — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 09:51:18 GMT

@panda1234 wrote:
If I don't buy something I really want and it is gone, I obsess over it. Right now there is a handbag that was on Zulily that I did not buy because I didn't need it. Wasn't a lot of money, just didn't need it. That was several months ago and it has never been back and I can not find it anywhere else.

@panda1234

I am exactly the same way! I tell my husband I usually try and "visit" an item in a store a couple times to decide that I really want it! Generally speaking if I see something once and I don't get it and then can't get it out of my mind, then I really like it and chances are I have to go and get it! Most of the time, the item is still there and I joyfully bring my new purchase home! Sometimes though, I go back to retrieve something and it will be gone. I hit myself over the head mentally for a good while before I eventually let it go. Another thing I try to remember --- if it's still there when I return for it -- it was meant to be. If not, then I wasn't meant to have it!!!

Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around!

jlkz — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 13:02:35 GMT

@AngelPuppy1

The post about pillows reminded me of how I left a large department store and didn’t buy a gorgeous hand worked pillow that would have been perfect in the middle of my white sectional couch. It featured a large magnolia which is the accent flower in that room...and a large $ tag !!!

Well, I had to go back and find it. I paid the full price and it was worth it. From the sofa years later, it now is the center point in a bay window opposite the new sofa:

Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around!

Blahblahvampemer — Sat, 14 Apr 2018 20:02:59 GMT

@Its Me LuLuBelle2 wrote:
@Irshgrl31201, hey, great question! A $12 pillow weighing mere ounces would have been $4.95 for shipping - which I just wasn't willing to pay.

My DH and I were just talking about things we were happy to pay for and things that we could certainly afford, but shocked our sensibilities. Mediocre movies, for $15 a ticket, that will soon show up on TV, are ridiculous and we won't go see it. But two weeks ago we took 2 very good friends out to dinner and dropped almost $300 for the 4 of us for a fabulous meal and were more than happy to do it.

I hope you find the bargain on your "dream" purchase! Remember, it took me 3 years to score that bird pillow! Hang in there! LuLu

My time, effort, mental energy and gas are worth more than $4.95. I always factor that in when looking at shipping charges.

Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around!

kivah — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 03:10:13 GMT

@Its Me LuLuBelle2

I bought my brown/grey leather loveseat (called Sheldon) from Costco. It's difficult ordering a loveseat on-line --- but I knew I could return if not happy. It's perfect - and the 3 throw pillows look beautiful on it.

It replaced a 20-yr ugly beige leather sofa I had (which I donated to a religious school) -- now my living room looks spiffy. My desktop computer is on the other wall of my living room - so I look at it all day - I'm so pleased with myself.

I buy good-qualilty items --- but never pay full price.

Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around!

panda1234 — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 10:30:53 GMT

@AngelPuppy1 wrote:
@panda1234 wrote:
If I don't buy something I really want and it is gone, I obsess over it. Right now there is a handbag that was on Zulily that I did not buy because I didn't need it. Wasn't a lot of money, just didn't need it. That was several months ago and it has never been back and I can not find it anywhere else.
@panda1234

I am exactly the same way! I tell my husband I usually try and "visit" an item in a store a couple times to decide that I really want it! Generally speaking if I see something once and I don't get it and then can't get it out of my mind, then I really like it and chances are I have to go and get it! Most of the time, the item is still there and I joyfully bring my new purchase home! Sometimes though, I go back to retrieve something and it will be gone. I hit myself over the head mentally for a good while before I eventually let it go. Another thing I try to remember --- if it's still there when I return for it -- it was meant to be. If not, then I wasn't meant to have it!!!

@AngelPuppy1 Marshalls and TJ Maxx are famous for this. If you go back it will never be there.

Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around!

AngelPuppy1 — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 11:40:04 GMT

@panda1234 wrote:
@AngelPuppy1 wrote:
@panda1234 wrote:
If I don't buy something I really want and it is gone, I obsess over it. Right now there is a handbag that was on Zulily that I did not buy because I didn't need it. Wasn't a lot of money, just didn't need it. That was several months ago and it has never been back and I can not find it anywhere else.
@panda1234

I am exactly the same way! I tell my husband I usually try and "visit" an item in a store a couple times to decide that I really want it! Generally speaking if I see something once and I don't get it and then can't get it out of my mind, then I really like it and chances are I have to go and get it! Most of the time, the item is still there and I joyfully bring my new purchase home! Sometimes though, I go back to retrieve something and it will be gone. I hit myself over the head mentally for a good while before I eventually let it go. Another thing I try to remember --- if it's still there when I return for it -- it was meant to be. If not, then I wasn't meant to have it!!!
@AngelPuppy1 Marshalls and TJ Maxx are famous for this. If you go back it will never be there.

@panda1234

So, in this case --- if it speaks to you --- grab it quickly!!!

Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around!

AngelPuppy1 — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 12:24:04 GMT

@jlkz wrote:
@AngelPuppy1

The post about pillows reminded me of how I left a large department store and didn’t buy a gorgeous hand worked pillow that would have been perfect in the middle of my white sectional couch. It featured a large magnolia which is the accent flower in that room...and a large $ tag !!!

Well, I had to go back and find it. I paid the full price and it was worth it. From the sofa years later, it now is the center point in a bay window opposite the new sofa:

@jlkz

That is beautiful and perfect! Nothing else would have worked or made you happy! In a case like that, you have no choice. Even if you have to spend more than you would have liked, this was the perfect choice and you are totally happy with it! I did that years ago with a comforter set. I knew the second I saw it that it was made for me. I keep thinking I should get a new set but I can't bear the thought of parting with it.

Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around!

panda1234 — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 01:36:45 GMT

@AngelPuppy1 wrote:
@panda1234 wrote:
@AngelPuppy1 wrote:
@panda1234 wrote:
If I don't buy something I really want and it is gone, I obsess over it. Right now there is a handbag that was on Zulily that I did not buy because I didn't need it. Wasn't a lot of money, just didn't need it. That was several months ago and it has never been back and I can not find it anywhere else.
@panda1234

I am exactly the same way! I tell my husband I usually try and "visit" an item in a store a couple times to decide that I really want it! Generally speaking if I see something once and I don't get it and then can't get it out of my mind, then I really like it and chances are I have to go and get it! Most of the time, the item is still there and I joyfully bring my new purchase home! Sometimes though, I go back to retrieve something and it will be gone. I hit myself over the head mentally for a good while before I eventually let it go. Another thing I try to remember --- if it's still there when I return for it -- it was meant to be. If not, then I wasn't meant to have it!!!
@AngelPuppy1 Marshalls and TJ Maxx are famous for this. If you go back it will never be there.
@panda1234

So, in this case --- if it speaks to you --- grab it quickly!!!

YES

Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around!

NYC Susan — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 01:47:47 GMT

@Blahblahvampemer wrote:
@Its Me LuLuBelle2 wrote:
@Irshgrl31201, hey, great question! A $12 pillow weighing mere ounces would have been $4.95 for shipping - which I just wasn't willing to pay.

My DH and I were just talking about things we were happy to pay for and things that we could certainly afford, but shocked our sensibilities. Mediocre movies, for $15 a ticket, that will soon show up on TV, are ridiculous and we won't go see it. But two weeks ago we took 2 very good friends out to dinner and dropped almost $300 for the 4 of us for a fabulous meal and were more than happy to do it.

I hope you find the bargain on your "dream" purchase! Remember, it took me 3 years to score that bird pillow! Hang in there! LuLu
My time, effort, mental energy and gas are worth more than $4.95. I always factor that in when looking at shipping charges.

Yes. I would have happily paid $4.95 for shipping. If I wanted it so much, I would have been thrilled that my search had ended. :-) I wouldn't have given a thought to how much the pillow weighed or if they were over-charging for shipping. I always assume that shipping costs don't reflect the actual cost of sending an item. I look at the grand total, and $17 for a pillow I was dying to have would seem just fine. For me, it's about the convenience.

We're all different though, and I'm glad this story had a happy ending!

Re: Why it Pays to Shop Around!

Its Me LuLuBelle2 — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 02:36:38 GMT

I'm a bit of a "collector." My first love is depression glass of all types from plates to serving pieces - but my favorites are lemonade/ice tea pitchers, with their lids (which are getting increasingly difficult to find). I also love paper dresses from the 1960s in their original packaging. I collect vintage chicken/rooster pitchers and salt & pepper shakers, along with hammered aluminum trays. I love old cocktail sets and decanters along with very old post cards. My latest "thing" has been vintage dresser/vanity sets and beautiful old perfume bottles. My point being, for me, the hunt is almost as exhilarating as the find! So finding my bird pillow, for what I was willing to pay was a big part of the thrill!