If you're like moi, you just love a bargain.
Though I don't scan the newspapers for coupons, or keep a hawk-like-eye out for a sale at a National retail out, I am just as keen as the next dude when it comes to saving a buck or two.
A sign of the tough economic times, I guess!
What do they say?
Watch your pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves!
Judging by the shape my wallet's in, maybe I need to pay more attention to that.
I laughed out loud the other morning when a pretty young tourist flopped down at the table next to me at McDonald's with boyfriend in tow - and before dragging out her ubiquitious laptop - she was inclined to pose a question first.
"Is WiFi free?"
Uh-huh.
"Just click on the agreement, and once "Hola" springs up on the screen, you're ready to go."
"McDonald's is becoming the new starbucks," she giggled.
"But, it's a lot cheaper!"
You said it, baby!
In spite of that financial reality, a few retailers are itching to move up, and conquer new profit flows.
Are there any out there to scoop up, folks?
Take the 99 cent store, for instance.
Whenever I spy an ad in the newspaper for the discount outlet, or hear a peppy commerical on the radio touting their low-ball prices, it causes me to ponder the obvious.
Why waste advertising bucks on a business entity that appears to float its boat of its own accord (by way of down 'n out street traffic and the basic needs of folks in the hood?)
Well, everyone wants to move up, I suppose!
In the case of the 99 cent outlet (the King of the El Cheapo trinket) the owners appear to be suffering from a severe case of delusions of grandeur, though.
Has success gone to their heads?
For example, I was pushing my cart with the wobbly wheel down the aisle - keeping my eye out for Red Vines and Sony batteries (not necessarily in that order) - when a loud speaker crackled overhead just before a pleasant-sounding woman made a pitch for a sale overhead to the hapless shoppers below.
"Attention shoppers!"
Say, did I walk into K-mart by mistake?
No, just another stolen gimmick, from a giant worth paying attention to.
And, what followed, sent me for a loop.
"Shoppers, Toblerone chocolate is on sale for just 1 dollar for the next thirty minutes. The great-tasting treat sells for 3 dollars at other retail outlets, so take advantage of our prices at the 99 cent store. Try a sample, if you want, at the check-out counter."
The 99 cent store is giving out free samples???
Believe it or not, in spite of the bargain-basement prices that prevail all around, the dollar outlets are still keen on wringing out every extra penny possible by tossing impromptu sales like the Toblerone campaign throughout the course of the day.
What next?
Door-to-door delivery?
News at 11!
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