Your link to Northwest Indiana. tm
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Power Shopping By Thomas 4-24-05 Thomas “Stinks”…literally! Ok, I guess I need to explain… In my last article about my spring break ‘experience’, I mentioned that one of the items stolen from my locked car, while parked on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California, was the new Michael Kors cologne that I had purchased a mere 30 minutes before it was ‘lifted from my possession’. The cologne retails for $55.00 but I purchased it at Ross Dress For Less for $24.99. Thomas, being Thomas, had to return to Ross and purchase it again… Before you think Thomas is crazy…it is a Power Shopping Law, OK? So Thomas gets back home and decides to wear the new cologne to a special event…a ‘black tie dinner reception’. After finishing tying by bowtie, I ‘spritz’ myself with the Michael Kors cologne. As I walked out the door, I smelled something…foul. I couldn’t figure out where the ‘odor’ was coming then I realized it was ME. I smelled like a wet dog! Obviously, the Michael Kors cologne didn’t mix well with my body chemistry. I had to go back in and take another shower to remove the ‘stench’, and then apply cologne that did agree with my body chemistry. And I was now out $24.99 that was stolen and another $24.99 because I ‘reeked’! Shopping Ritual and Etiquette Lesson 49: The ART of the Deal! Recently, Thomas received a request from a devoted Power Shopper, asking if I knew where and how to purchase artwork at a discount price. I answered back, “Don’t make me hurt you, of course I know where and how to purchase artwork at a discount price…now drop and give me 20 pushups for the insult and a few laps around the mall for good measure!” The nerve of some people…! But request went further…she wanted a Rembrandt etching. Rembrandt? At a discount? This person obviously is not ‘the sharpest knife in-the-drawer! I answered back…there is only one-way to get a discount on a Rembrandt…know a good thief! People crack-me-up!! But I did broker a ‘deal’ this past week on a steel sculpture for another Power Shopping Devotee. This shopper had his eye on a wonderful steel sculpture. OK, OK, I am the shopper who wants the sculpture. The artist had a $10,000 price tag on this contemporary designed and blue-painted sculpture. “$10,000? Are you ‘nuts’?” I remarked. Thomas decided to go into ‘master negotiator mode’ and do what he does best…wheel and DEAL! Yes, Thomas is the guru in the ART of the Deal! The artist and I volleyed prices back-and-forth for over an hour. Negotiations were brutal! Thomas was gaining much ground until it hit me…TAX WRITE-OF! How brilliant of me…convince the artist to lower the price and take the balance from the asking price as a tax donation. But just how do I do this transaction without sending up a red flag to the Internal Revenue Service? Then it hit me…The Power Shopping Relief Fund! Yes, I would create a tax-exempt charity called the Power Shopping Relief Fund and purchase the sculpture for a fraction of the asking price. Thomas is a genius! Negotiations continued and I persuaded the artist to allow me to purchase the sculpture for $1,200 and take an $8,800 tax write-off. Now that is what I call THE Art-of-the-Deal! And now… DON’T DOUBT THOMAS! THINK PICTURE FRAMES! Hobby Lobby [nationwide] has all of their open-back readymade picture frames at 50% off this week. Wal*Mart [nationwide] has a variety of ‘floating’ picture frames at under $10.00. I saw two styles, one is an artist’s easel with a picture frame made with 2 panels of glass that you ‘float’ the photo in and another style that has 4 different size frames that ‘float’ on a base of wood. They come in walnut or black finishes. THINK 1GB USB 2.0 FLASH DRIVE! Best Buy [nationwide] has a 1GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive, by Geek Squad (I love that name), for $59.99 after instant and mail-in rebates. Regular price is $99.99. I always save my computer files to a flash drive…it is soooo convenient! THINK MOTHER’S DAY! Mother’s Day is May 8 and Sears [nationwide] has some great deals on clothing for just in time for Mother’s Day. Consider 30%-50% off all apparel, by Apostrophe. I noticed an embroidered linen skirt, sizes 2-18, for $29.99. A straw handbag, by Apostrophe was $17.99. There were all kinds of ‘hot buys’ in the jewelry department with all gemstones at 50% off. THINK PATIO FURNITURE! Meijer [nationwide] has a 5 piece resin patio collection, in green or sand color, for $39.95. The set consists of a table and 4 chairs. THINK DVD PLAYER! Value City Department Stores [nationwide] has a DVD/CD/MP3 player, by Koss, for $29.99! They also have a 13-inch TV/DVD combo for $99.99. Plus, they have a slew of DVD movies for $5.99. THINK 75% OFF GOLD JEWELRY! Also at Meijer, all of their gold jewelry is an additional 20% off their regular low price. Many items add up to 75% off. Hmmm, I smell a book deal in my future. The title? Why, the ART of the DEAL, of course! Thomas |
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