<p>A friend’s daughter is leaving for Butler U soon. I thought about a Target gift card for her (have to see if there is one there) but now BBB sounds good - I could add a coupon :)</p>
<p>Please try to purchase something of marginal unitarian use and with bling. I want to see those things at a garage sale. </p>
<p>Today I got a bling. A programable, LED, scrolling belt buckle with encircling rhinestones. Either plan to use it has a bicycle tail light with an advertisement for available son.</p>
<p>Owlice, I’d love to help you and BBB, but you’ll have to wait. DS was home recently from school and I sent him back with some BBB necessities. By accident, I had placed my “stash” of BBB coupons in the bag. By the time I realized they were missing, DS had already tossed the bag. Dang…at least 30 coupons gone, like that!</p>
<p>musica- It isn’t a matter of falling on hard times. This economy has affected many, many people. The numerous anti-materialism threads have been going on here way before the current recession. If you have a big screen TV, don’t admit it here on CC!
I am not related to Bill Gates, and I have cut back, too, but my husband and I have worked hard during our careers and we do have some possessions that we enjoy and we have been able to enjoy some travel. I am grateful for that, but I get tired of all the “why would anyone go out to eat” and “why do you need a TV or cable” or “why would anyone drive an SUV” or “who would possibly shop at Nordstrom” threads. Judging by the private messages I receive, there are many on CC who feel the way do, but they don’t state it publicly.</p>
<p>I will be joyously contributing to the Pennsylvania economy this weekend doing some major outlet shopping. Two words that New Yorkers love to hear - NO TAX!!!</p>
<p>When my D started college, and I had no coupons from BB and B, I bought some on ebay. I paid around 6$ for them, I think I got 30, and saved over 25 using them. That was above and beyond what I spent on them and postage.</p>
<p>If there is an “I hate to shop” I have it on every strand of my DNA. I REALLY hate to shop, I have been know to burst into tears in the middle of the mall and my husband has to walk me out to the car. I even hate on-line shopping. I truly love my clothes that are falling into threads, they are soft and comfortable and like old friends. Both of my sons also hate to shop, so we have an agreement: we never spend more then 1 hour in any shopping area. When they were little we stopped at the Mall of America so they could go to the Lego store. We spent about twenty minutes in the Lego store, then walked out into the mall to just “look around”. Within five minutes son 1 was in tears and son 2 threw up ( it was okay cause my head and feet hurt). By some miracle they were just fine by the time we got to the hotel pool. I hate to shop so much that sometimes I feel like maybe I am not a “real” American,</p>
<p>The best thing BB&B has going for it is that it’s still in business. The worst thing is that their business model is somewhat pricey for the state of demand, now and in the reasonable future. BB&B stores are “junior box” size and those pay more PSF than big boxes and warehouse size boxes. They also have to fixture to a higher level of finish - you should see their construction specs - and thus their overall occupancy costs are higher. This means their big box competition can sell for less. </p>
<p>Department store competition has one advantage: they generally don’t pay or pay very little for their space, especially in malls. They also have more buying leverage and private labels so they can offer bigger discounts on sales. </p>
<p>I know quite a bit about commercial real estate and, to me, the junior box size has always been an issue. I think it works well for clothing - like TJMaxx, which also directly competes with BB&B more than one might think. I think that in a lot of categories juniors have always been vulnerable to big and bigger boxes, especially Target and WalMart. Sports comes to mind; the bigger stores eat the juniors like they’re a box of skittles.</p>
<p>Another two problems I’ve always had with BB&B are a) they need to sell high margin merchandise but they seem to sell more of the hot, discounted stuff and b) they are under-staffed and don’t offer a level of services that would attract more high cost business. Even Home Depot does better.</p>
<p>I can walk to BBB in 5 min, and I never go there. When I needed to send my kid to college, we went and bought a few things, but then returned almost everything because we found identical things at a Dollar store, for $1/ea. They can’t compete, even with coupons.</p>
<p>lololu, maybe we’re cousins. I hate to shop & find it a waste of time. I’d rather clean the house or do laundry (and I really don’t like doing those things)…at least I know I’ve accomplished something. DH goes to the mall more frequently than I do. My 2 sons seem to have inherited my aversion to shopping too. When S2 was little (still in the stroller), he’d be happy as a clam walking through the mall, but as soon as the stroller crossed the threshold into a store he’d start fussing & kept it up until we left the store. S1 will only go shopping for clothes or shoes when the ones he has are really ratty & when he shops he’ll buy the first thing he tries on.</p>
<p>Having said all that…when it came to shopping for my kids either when they were younger or to get them ready for college, I was at BBB, Target, the mall, etc. I think what I really hate about shopping is the frustrating process of trying things on & then, even if I find something, wondering if there’s a better deal somewhere else.</p>
<p>We can’t shop. On CC we have to tell everyone how frugal we are and how we hate to shop and eat out.</p>
<p>But then we must ask for recommendations on digital SLRs and airfare to the Caribbean.</p>
<p>*Bunsenburner – Run around asking people 'Is Cialis right for you?" That ought to do it. *</p>
<p>LOL. Good one.</p>
<p>We only have to worry about airfare to the Caribbean if we are applying for financial aid.</p>
<p>ek and MOfWC - LOL!</p>
<p>Novelisto, great suggestion! Except I’m severely allergic to Cialis advertsements :D</p>
<p>Oh lol!, MOWC but not just the CC folks, make you feel naughty for shopping at Nordstrom or buying a rib roast. My neighbor gets down right snarky if youre grilling anything more costly than hot dogs or burgers. And Owlice you can thank me for your BBB stock dividends.</p>
<p>I must say that while I hate to shop, I really don’t care if you love to shop – I figure its your life do what you want, but I have never figured out why wondering around looking at stuff is supposed to be fun. I suspect I am descended from a long line of farmers, not hunter/gatherers.</p>
<p>Shopping really isn’t much fun anymore, actually. The economy took its toll, and much of the fun went out of it. There are still times I enjoy it (on vacation or for running stuff), but it truly is a sign of a totally changed society that shopping as an “activity” as opposed to a “necessity” took such a hit.</p>
<p>Thank you, TutuTaxi and the rest of you for your efforts so far! </p>
<p>Bed, Bath and Beyond is open on Sundays, too; just a friendly reminder! :D</p>
<p>(Y’all – or you guys, for those in or north of the Lehigh Valley – cracked me up; thanks!)</p>
<p>I believe we are allowed to admit shopping at Trader Joe’s :), and missing it if we do not live near one.</p>
<p>Yes, Trader Joe’s is okay, but I assure you that BBB is, too! :D</p>