Boy, does this time of year move faster for you?
It seems like only yesterday Pat and I loaded up and made our
way south to our winter home. We were looking forward to a
second turkey dinner on Thanksgiving at our daughters in Florida.
I
mentioned in my earlier column we got to enjoy two Thanksgiving
dinners this year and that presented a dilemma for us.
We tried to decide which dinner was the best. They were much
the same
except about 1,100 miles apart, and after our deliberation
we decided that was the only difference — they were both
great. We hope this news is well received by our daughters
because we hope to have the same dilemma next year — it’s
always good to plan ahead.
It
can be difficult to plan ahead for Christmas shopping. We
always start in Michigan, (Pat starts in July at the
Farmer’s
Market) wrap, pack and ship. When we get to Florida, it’s
round two for the yearly undertaking. This year that
method got us in trouble. The family in Connecticut got
the first
mailing and instead of hiding it on the kids (they are
too old for that now I guess), they pulled the gifts
out and
put them under their (fake) tree. Our son-in-law pointed
out to
the kids, a boy and a girl, there was no gift for our
grandson. Round two of shop, wrap, pack and ship will
take care of
that.
Despite
the dire warnings, shopping has not been too bad. I suppose “black Friday” weeded out some early birds
and according to the statistics quoted, billions of dollars
are being spent by online shoppers. Sad to say, in spite of
increased security (or so they say) by online stores, statistics
for identity theft have soared at a fast clip also. We still
like the “brick and mortar” experience
of the variety of retail outlets.
Stores offer a great variation in their return policies. One
accepts returns well into January, as long as the product is
not used or damaged, while another wants all returns and exchanges
made the week after Christmas or a re-stocking charge is assessed.
We noted on TV shoppers are getting ahead of the game, returning
gifts before Christmas.
Wonder what that is all about?
Some
retailers offer what they call “Very Merry Deals.” You
will receive an additional 5 percent off the incredible low
prices if you use their in-store credit card, some even mail
out discount cards to be used for purchases in their stores.
One was good enough to print on the card, “We gladly
accept competitors’ coupons” and in very small
print, “If you find a lower price, we will match it” and, “Exceptions
may apply,” finishes the declaration.
I
have noticed a few questionable statements in advertising
this year such as, “You won’t
find it cheaper anywhere than in this store
on Black Friday.”
I’m pretty sure I found several things “cheaper” in
that same store weeks after Black Friday. I’ve
learned that even if you do buy a bigger
Android piece of electronics,
you are STILL NOT A BIG SHOT.
They
even say you’ll feel “rich” owning one
but I’m pretty sure that only lasts until you get the
bill. I was looking for a SMART PHONE but couldn’t find
one smart enough to pay its own bill. I’m
still looking.
I
noted a lot of stores are pushing the big screen televisions.
Some are so BIG
I would
have to
sit out in the driveway
to watch them — something like
a drive-in movie with lots of commercials.
One
ad shows a lady who thought the TV in her “whole
new living room” made it look like a “whole new
living room.” What a special ad that is. No matter what
TV channel (including public channels) you view, or what paper
or magazine you read, you will see or hear statements like, “Best
buy you will ever find, never to be found for less, the best
you can ever buy.” How strange
that each of the items is a different
brand.
As
I see it, the best buy you will find on a big screen TV will
be the
week before
the
Super
Bowl.
I have a
question about that ad for the high-priced
Lexus, though. Would
it
be cheaper
if it didn’t have the big bow on top of it? There will
still be a few days to go shopping and I’m betting there
will be better buys than you have found so far – but
how late can you wait?
I’m
happy I am done for this year.
You
may have noticed many items I mentioned were high priced
no
matter
what brand
they carried.
I do think
I found the
highest priced gift you could
give however. It is a seat near Kim
Kardashian at a New Year’s
bash in Vegas that is going for
$20,000. For that
price,
I think she should
be sitting
on your lap,
not just nearby.