I love me some bargains
(Look away now if you find talk about money distasteful.)
Because I am lazy and don’t trust anyone, I’m really dreading having to ship loads of stuff to the US. First there’s the hassle, then the expense, and finally the inevitable arrival of broken possessions. So I’ve decided to be ruthless in what I won’t ship, which means having to invest in some new stuff. Because we’re not moving out of where we are in London yet, there’s no real deadline pressure to get everything sorted and moved, but I have real anxiety about being without life’s essentials. To that end, I’m trying to buy very nice things for almost no money, and have them delivered to the new place in the US.
I noticed while doing my Christmas shopping that Amazon offers fantastic savings on good brands, much better than buying lower-tier brands for less in shops like K-Mart. In fact, Amazon’s prices for high quality stuff is often much less than what you’d pay in discount shops for lower quality products. Plus, K-Mart, Target, and Urban Outfitters (which has some great stuff on sale right now) won’t let you order their products online if you live outside of the US. So Amazon got my business last night, and I got some fab deals of which you may also want to take advantage:
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless 14-Piece Cookware Set, list price $540, I paid $139.99.
Oneida Emma 45-Piece Flatware Set, Service for Eight, list price $200, I paid $34.99.
Simply Calphalon Nonstick 6-Piece Bakeware Set, list price $81, I paid $23.99.
Infinite Circulon 5-1/2-Quart Dutch Oven, list price $100, I paid $34.
Farberware 3 Piece Metal Handle Set, list price $40, I paid $9.99.
Some nice-but-basic towels, list price $89.99 (for two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths), I paid $19.99 and snatched up five sets in various colours.
Filed under: Business, Home, Life, Treating Customers Well
Jackie, look also at overstock.com, they have bargains on good bed linens (300 threads and up) and garnethill (more of same); not sure they allow to pay from overseas.
Thanks, Tatyana - I forgot about Overstock!
I agree about Overstock - especially for linens. The best thing about them is that once you buy something, you get lots of emails offering $1 shipping.
Overstock’s cousin, Smartbargains has some nice household stuff too. I bought us some great high end hotel quality towels there, as well as pillows, a featherbed, and a new duvet.
TSS, you remind me: I got free shipping on all my Amazon stuff, a $66 savings. Ka-ching.
I hadn’t heard of Smartbargains, Michelle, so thanks!
I’m going to scour secondhand shops for sofas, chairs, and tables when I get to Cincinnati this weekend, because I like older, broken in furniture better. (My best ever buy was a beautiful old pub table and six chairs for £50 from a secondhand furniture shop in Kent.) But if anyone has any tips for where to get good deals on furniture, I’m all ears.
Thanks for the Smartbargains tip - I’d never heard of it, either. As for furniture, what about Ikea? JUST KIDDING. I’ve never been to Cincin, so I’m zero help. The only thing I do know is that buying furniture online is very risky and is to be avoided at all costs.
Well, it depends. Some stuff you can spot on sites like Craiglist, go look at it in person, then decide if you want it. Also, I’ve spotted stuff in Urban Outfitters and not wanted the hassle of buying it right then (especially as I’d need to arrange shipping in-store), then gone to the website with the intention of ordering it.
Well, that’s true because at least you can see it in person before you buy. I meant just buying something online without being able to see how sturdy it is — not a good idea. Good luck!
Jackie, I love talking about money! Please keep on. And I can’t wait to see more pictures of your place. I can tell right away that it will give me great homesickness about living back east…And please, every detail of what you find in thrift stores!