Retailers aren’t as panicked about the upcoming holiday shopping season as they were last year.

With this scenario in mind, retail experts said their No. 1 tip for gift shoppers this year is grab what you want, when you see it.

“Merchants got burned badly last year when they were left with a lot of unsold merchandise after Christmas,” said George Whalin, retail expert and president and CEO of Retail Management Consultants.

There is a different feel about holiday shopping this year than last year. Retailers have discovered a new normal, which means more sparsely stocked shelves and a high rate of unemployment. If people are unemployed, they may be less likely to spend a lot for Christmas or other holiday gifts.

This news shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who has been shopping lately. Remember a couple of years ago when the credit was flowing freely and the choices on the shelves and racks were seemingly endless. Those days are temporarily gone in some places. The only stores that seem to offer more choices are places that cater to crafts and home entertainment since more people are entertaining themselves with crafts and staying home to watch movies.

Since there are fewer items that retailers will offer for sale and will probably have only a limited amount of the “hottest” items available, then it will difficult to get those bargains. This seems hard to believe considering the number of coupons that I currently have and receive regularly that I would actually make purchases from those stores.

Prudent choices when shopping and budgeting before going Christmas shopping makes a big difference especially when paying cash. For people who are really sticking to a budget making the decision to buy one item whether it is the “hot” gift of the season or not will make a greater difference to individuals but to retailers it might. To really stick to a shopping budget giving someone a gift card or cash will help a person not go over budget. Unless you can find a particular item that you know the recipient will love for less than you have budgeted… move on until you find something they will really enjoy and use.

Thrift store and resale shop prices aren’t always great deals.

Here are some examples of prices:

• Yarn purchased new at craft store on sale for 16 ounces of acrylic yarn – $5. Recently seen at a thrift store a semi-tangled, used skein of similar yarn  - $4. Not a bargain.

• A bargain is a bag of yarn with four 3 ounce skeins for just under two dollars. (On half price day, this was 95 cents so it was a real steal!)

• Stainless steel cream and sugar set with small tray – $5. Bargain. Plus being stainless steel this offers the added benefit of not needing polishing as with silver.

• When thrifting, books are a bargain if they are under a dollar for a paperback and two dollars for a hardcover. 

• A ladies lined rain coat with removable lining in very good condition – $12. Good price.

Thrift store prices are often lower than resale shops or consignment stores because they are less selective about their merchandise and basically want things to go. Even if some of the items are new, religious or veteran affiliated stores receive many donations and need people to buy so that they can restock the shelves.

Knowing the true cost of an item is important also when going to garage and estate sales. Also when you are on the other end of a sale, as the seller. If you don’t want to have too many items left over at the end of a sale, then you should definitely price your items to sell. 

Taking a trip to a regular store will give you an idea of the quality of items and what the prices are. This does not mean that you like the prices, but will give you an understanding of the quality. One drawback from thrift stores and garage sales is that larger items need to be moved from a place. I saw a large round marble table priced at $250 which would need to have professional movers come in and move it for you, but paying the movers plus the cost of the table would definitely be a great deal for the table. 

Bargain hunting can be hit or miss. If you know prices, then you can avoid the misses.

What does luxury really mean? Are the luxury goods worth the high prices?

 According to the Luxury Institute’s survey of over 500+ high net worth consumers:  “Superior quality (82%), superior craftsmanship (78%) and superior customer service (60%) are the top three requirements of a luxury brand. Yet, more than one-third of consumers say luxury brands are worse today than in the recent past on delivering superior customer service and on failing to have salespeople who are experts in their products”

Quality and craftsmanship are important for lesser brands as well. Customer service is something that began to wane in recent years though it is on an upswing to regain brand or store loyalty. I went to buy something at an office supply store the other day, and was met at the door by a sales associate who had nothing to do. Not only did he help me find the product on the shelf but also asked about other items I needed. Customer service is moving to the forefront again because many people in retail want to keep their jobs and appear indispensable.

Buying a quality item which is well crafted could be purchased via the internet even with some of the luxury brands or from some of the luxury stores. There is just so much that can be done when making an online purchase.

Even wealthy consumers believe that the prices of luxury goods are too high – “64% of wealthy consumers believe luxury goods prices are too high relative to the value they deliver.”

Brands that may not be considered luxury brands but have exceptional customer service, high quality and well-crafted products are in demand, though all of these components would also signal to me, as a consumer as well as others that the items would be reparable, well made and long lasting.

Easter is Sunday. For people still scrambling to do some last minute preparations here are some tips.
 

Making Easter Baskets?

Do you remember what happened to last year’s basket? If you can find it, use the basket or buy an inexpensive basket from a thrift store, and spray paint it with floral paint – it dries more quickly than regular paint. Don’t fill the basket entirely with grass or filler. Put some newspaper beneath the filler and then you wont’ need to use as much. Since Easter “grass” is generally plastic, you can save it and reuse it.

If you are interested crafts during the year, buy some Easter egg dye for later in the year. You can use it to make some type dyed shirts or natural fiber yarn.

Dyeing eggs? Buy the kit which has everything in it, but use the wax crayon to make designs on the eggs. Or try this tip from Martha Stewart for decorating the eggs: wrap them in lace you will get a unique design.

Even if you are running low on time, don’t buy the preassembled baskets, they are filled with items that the recipients generally don’t like or want. Look at what is in the baskets that stores are selling. If you buy a large toy or central item (for an older person) and surround it with small items the recipient would like. It’s the thought that counts, A smaller basket with lots of items in it will look more luxurious than a large basket with the same amount of items in it.

Don’t overlook the dollar store for shrink wrap, flowers or plastic fillable eggs. 

Rather spend the money on one useful item instead of small items for an Easter basket. Choose wisely and don’t worry about price. It’s the thought that counts. Plastic eggs can also be filled with a few coins or a crumpled up dollar bill or two.

Happy Easter!

     If you are looking for something interesting and inexpensive to do with your children or just something to keep you occupied that costs very little – go to the thrift store and get a craft kit. I was trolling the aisles, stacks and racks today and noticed that there were several nice brand-new kits at the Salvation Army store a couple of miles from my house that featured two stuffed animal kits. Each kit included all the materials necessary to make, stuff, decorate and dress two stuffed animals. The kits were $8 each but that would take longer to do than to watch a movie and cost less.

     If that isn’t your thing, there are other craft kits with instructions available at thrift stores or even if you went to a craft store and bought a kit, this would give you some family fun time and possibly a hobby that will teach your child new skills.

     No kids? That’s one reason why I didn’t buy a kit. (Plus, I don’t really like stuffed animals). There are other things that you can do. If you are interested in other crafts, a thrift store would be a good place to start if you aren’t too certain that you are going to stick with the hobby.

     I have noticed that since the economy has taken a nose dive, prices have increased on items in the thrift store. Don’t get me wrong you can get some great deals still, you just have to hunt for them. I bought a few bags of yarn for projects and a fraction of the price I would pay at a craft store or local yarn shop. Most thrift stores offer special sale days, so go with an open mind (and cash) and you can clean up.