Escape the Mall Challenge (for charity) – part 3: dad and teen

So, if you’ve been following along, you’ll know I was given a nice chunk of change ($1,000) from Scott Taber at Media Profile on behalf of his client PayPal. My task, go shopping for five family members and friends, spend $500 online using PayPal and $500 at the mall buying comparable gifts.

Here’s the play-by-play on gifts for “Dad” and “Teen”:

What:
Sony Reader Pocket Edition™ (Silver), Zipper Case Pocket Edition (online) and Premium Cover for the Pocket Edition (in-store)


iPod + Phone Speaker Dock/Clock Radio

Where: SonyStyle.ca and Sony Style at Yorkdale

Outcome:

Online
The SonyStyle website was a bit slow. It was a pain registering too but it was easy to find what I wanted quickly and clear they accepted PayPal. I also liked how they let you know upfront if an item was out of stock and the anticipated availability date.

I didn’t want to chance free shipping because I wanted the goods fast so I paid $30 for 1-2 business day delivery. The delivery showed up via Purolator Dec. 14 but I was out. I received a note telling me to pick it up from their depot in Etobicoke. I called and asked if they would try again, they did and I got the package the next morning. Unfortunately, the case wasn’t included and I’m still waiting. According to the website, it should have been available and delivered by Dec. 16.

Cost: $ $353.38 ($179 eReader + $79 iPod dock + $19 eReader case + $30 shipping + taxes)

In Store
The Sony Style store at Yorkdale was busy but there was ample staff mulling around. However, I waited several minutes before someone even acknowledged me in the store. Once they did, the service was quick and friendly. I was surprised to learn they only carried the more expensive $39.99 eReader case in the store and the $19 one was only available online. At the store, I requested gift receipts, an option I didn’t have online. (Note the photo on the right was taken while I was shopping during this challenge.)

Cost: $338.97 ($179.99 eReader + $79.99 iPod dock + $39.99 eReader case + taxes) in store (including taxes)

Donated: December 16 to HoHoTO, some of the items will be available this evening in the HoHoTO Hangover Auction.

Want a say in where the remaining items are donated? (Sneak peek) You have until 11:59 p.m. ET to vote.

Related articles

• Escape the Mall Challenge (for charity) - part 1
• Escape the Mall Challenge (for charity) - part 2
  
• Bargainista and friends' holiday wish list
  

Hanukkah miracles do happen

Although I’m not religious, holiday traditions are important to our family. Last night as we were sitting at the dinner table with the candles burning brightly, we somehow got back on the topic of the missing iPod Touch.

Last February when I bought an iPhone, my younger son “adopted” my iPod Touch. It ended up having a hybrid of his content and mine. When he went to summer camp, it went along with him. No, he couldn’t use it regularly and he spent most of his time outdoors and without electronics. When he came home from camp after he got over the excitement of telling us about his last sleepless nights and the highlights of his summer, he became very upset. He came home without the iPod and, all his purchased music, games and mine.

Read more...

Menorah for iPhone/iPod Touch image courtesy of rustybrick.com.

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iPods piss me off

Now that I’ve got your attention…

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you probably know I’m a bit of an Apple fan girl. This week alone, I bought two iPods as gifts for family members and I bought my husband one for his birthday last year.

Yes, iPods and iTunes have dramatically changed the music industry and the way we consume music, not to mention other forms of multimedia. As far as the technology goes, they are phenomenal. I just don’t understand why they don’t come with everything you need in the box.

Okay, I can understand them not coming with car adapters but why do we need to buy cases too? I swear the little case I just bought for an iPod nano looks like it costs about $2 to make and sells for $25-$30. Can’t Apple either make iPod exteriors with scratch-resistant materials or include basic cases so we don’t need to shell out more cash for them?

Tip of the Week – Three tips from twitter pals

I thought I’d try something new this week and ask some of my pals on twitter for their shopping tips.

Even at dinnertime on Saturday night, I got some terrific responses…

Alexandra Clark of Cheap Eats fame shared her timely grocery tip:
“Food shopping tip - you can get a fantastic deal on meat if you hit a 24-hour grocery store the day before a statutory holiday.”

John Meadows from the new On the Log podcast (more about that in an upcoming post) had two great tips to share:

“If I don’t want to be bothered by sales people as soon as I enter a store, I put my iPod headphones on :)

Another one - don’t get extended warranties on most electronics; they are a 90% profit for retailers.”

I’ve tried the iPod thing too and it works. Sometimes I even have it turned off!

I think I’ll try this more often. Of course, if you have a tip to share, send me an e-mail and I’ll do my best to include it on the blog. ;).

Photo credit: the girl on Flickr

Kathleen Edwards is doing some good with an iPod

On March 4, Kathleen Edwards is releasing her next CD. Tomorrow, she’ll be donating the proceeds from the sale of an engraved iPod with her full catalogue on eBay to the Alica Ross memorial fund though Project Canoe.

Last I checked, there was a bid of $1,035.00! If you’re so inclined and have an extra $1,050 dollars or more lying around, you may want to get in on the action. It’s for a really good cause. A childhood friend of mine met a similar fate when we were about the same age as Alicia Ross. Tragic.

Junos weekend 2003, I shared an elevator with Kathleen Edwards at The Arc. At the time I barely knew who she was. I’m not that familiar with her music either but now I’m paying more attention.