Guess who's coming to dinner?

Guess wants to be your friend (thanks for sharing, Mish):


Note: remember to check the fine print for details. This coupon is valid in stores across Canada.

I just signed up for their e-mails and don't understand why they are asking for my zip code (instead of my postal code) on their Canadian website.

By the way, I learned there are some fake Banana Republic and Old Navy friend and family discount coupons out there. Heard anything about them? Tell Bargainista.

Technorati tags: bargains, coupons, clothing, Guess, retail, shopping

Is anyone minding the store?

The other day while I was reflecting on blogging and blog monitoring (I've been thinking a lot about it lately at the office), it dawned on me that since I launched Bargainista, not one company has commented. And yet, I have written about several retailers and manufacturers both big, small, the good, the bad and the ugly.

People tell me they're reading this blog regularly.
Traffic reports support their claims.

Read more...


Technorati tags: customer service, marketing, profits, retail, online shopping, technology

All in the family

Gap is having a friends and family sale starting tomorrow:


Note: remember to check the fine print for details. This coupon is valid in stores across Canada.

Technorati tags: bargains, coupons, clothing, Gap, retail, shopping

Holt's 'tude is high and mighty

Holt's designer sale starts today:


Check out the fine print, they managed to plug for their AMEX Holt's card too.

Technorati tags: AMEX, bargains, fashion, Holt Renfrew, marketing, sales, shopping

Days of wine and roses

One of the reasons I began Bargainista was to create a central repository for viral shopping news in hopes of unclogging in boxes of avid shoppers everywhere.

Today I visited Neville Hobson's blog, as I do regularly, looking for his words of wisdom on all things social media as it relates to PR and the communications industry. But to my surprise, his post was about a wonderful viral sales campaign happening right now in the UK. Not only that, the campaign is the wonder child of Hugh MacLeod, whom I'd just been reading about on my way to work this morning.

This is the deal: All Thresher outlets in the UK, are offering a 4o% discount on all wines and champagnes from November 30 - December 10. All you need is a coupon that you can only obtain online. What's most interesting about this promotion is it relies entirely on word-of-mouth. There isn't any advertising or in-store promotions.

Unfortunately, unlike Red Rose Tea, it's not available in Canada!

Just in case you're planning a trip across the pond in the next couple weeks, here's a coupon:

Technorati tags: champagne, coupons, Hugh MacLeod, marketing, Neville Hobson, UK, wine

One of a kind

The One of a Kind Show and Sale is on now thru December 4. It's a great way to spend a lovely Sunday afternoon, especially if you're looking to kick-start your holiday shopping and you like giving unique gifts and relish the idea of supporting Canadian talent.

750 artisans from across the country have gathered in Toronto for this wonderful semi-annual show. They're displaying and selling there wares all week. See everything from clothing to home accessories, unique foods and fabulous works of art.

I fell in love with the ceramic kettle by Kwok Wai Lau of PMO Design, in Montreal. His salt and pepper shakers aren't too shabby either.

When: Now thru December 4

Where: The National Trade Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto

Admission:
Adults $12 or $10 online
Seniors & Youth $6.50
Children under 12 - free

Directions

Technorati tags: crafts, gifts, holiday shopping, Toronto

Chrismukkah gift

Reading the current issue of NOW's Gift Guide, I couldn't help but do a double-take when I saw this interesting picture of a box of chocolate truffles. It's from San Francisco chocolatier, Joseph Schmidt Confections's holiday collection.

The first picture I saw was in b&w, how intriguing? A Star of David-shaped box with a Christmas holiday snowflake motif, filled with yummy truffles. I thought a Christmas star had five points not six.

I wonder what Seth Cohen would think if he received one of these as a Chrismukkah gift? Is this what the writers of The OC had in mind?

In all fairness to Mr. Schmidt, the truffles are in a red box and displayed with the Christmas gifts on his website. (See photo.)

Available in Canada at Holt Renfrew. $82.

Technorati tags: Chanukah, Christmas, Chrismukkah, gifts, shopping, special occasions, The OC, traditions

Weekend specials

Here's some things to kick-start your weekend ...

Party Packagers:



Roots (promo applies to both regular-priced and sale items):
This promo applies to both regular-priced and sale items.


Gap:
Note: These are in the Toronto area (and possibly cross-Canada). Please check with the store nearest you.

Technorati tags: bargains, clothing, shopping

An Apple a day...

Apple is having it's annual the day after the U.S. Thanksgiving Day sale today!

Shop in-store (check store hours near you) or online 'til 11:59 p.m. (PST - otherwise known as 2:59 a.m. here in TDot) tonight:

(My apologies for the last minute post.)

Technorati tags: Apple, computers, iPods, sales, shopping, Thanksgiving

Just peachy!

Everything should be just peachy tomorrow night at the Peachy Pre-Christmas Cocktail Party at Peach Berserk Coctails. Kingi Carpenter and crew are hosting a shopping party.

Kingi's got a great sense of style. Just one look at her collection and you'll see the wonderful sense of humour she injects into all her custom-designed silk-screened fabrics. There's something in her clothing line for everyone - all shapes and sizes.

Everything in the store (clothing and more) is 15% off and you'll receive a gift with every purchase. You can enjoy music and performances, fashion shows throughout the store, yummy treats, door prizes and lots of other surprises.

But that's not all... the best part is 10% of ALL sales will be donated to Medicins Sans Frontiers/Doctors Without Borders.

Where: Peach Berserk, 507 Queen St. W., and Kingi's groovin' apartment upstairs
When: Friday, November 24 from 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Have fun, be wild, go berserk!

Technorati tags: charity, clothing, home fashions, fundraising, Medcins Sans Frontiers, parties, shopping, sales

Lulu's meet & greet

lululemon, 2558 Yonge St, is having a Community Meet & Greet tomorrow night. What a great way to build relationships with your customers. My sister, who lives in Chicago, went to one of these a couple months ago and had a great time.

Drop by lulu's Briar Hill location to meet athletes and merchants, view the new line and enjoy some food and treats from the neighbourhood.

Date: Thursday, November 23
Time: 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Technorati tags: athletic wear, clothing, fashion, shopping

Sock it to ya!

I love nothing more than going bare foot and wearing sandals, or flip flops in the summer. I'm one of those people who cries when the temperature drops and I have to start wearing shoes and socks again in the fall.

When I have to wear socks, I want them to be comfy, cozy and fashionable. So when my friend Kim sent me a flyer and coupon for the McGregor warehouse sale, I took note. Unfortunately, when I stumbled upon the store, I didn't take the coupon. For a mere $20, I bought six pairs of Michael Kors socks (retail value $52!).

The store isn't fancy, just wall-to-wall socks for women and men (they'd make a killing if they added kids' socks to the mix). Don't worry, as the Governator says, "I'll be back" with coupon in hand. (Note the coupon below is the authentic one from the promotional flyer despite it's unprofessional appearance. Print it, clip it and save.)

Brands include:
McGregor
Michael Kors
Calvin Klein
Nike
Happy Foot
Levis

What?
McGregor Warehouse Sale

When?
Nov. 3-Dec. 31
M-F 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sun. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Where?
1705 Avenue Rd. (see map)


Technorati tags: accessories, bargains, coupons, shopping

Calling all bookworms

Indigo currently has at least 3 promos on the go.

Today is Customer Appreciation Day (tomorrow if you live in a province without Sunday shopping.) iRewards customers save 20% on all books. Everyone else saves 15%.

If you have a magic card or magic card coupon (iReward members: check your in-boxes), you can redeem it for a gift certificate worth $5, $10, $25, $100 or $1,000. (Note: you have to spend $50 first.)
See a movie at at a Cineplex Odeon, Famous Players or Galaxy theatre. If you buy a combo snack, you'll get a coupon for $10 off your next purchase of $50 or more. Concession stands are a rip-off but I find the combo deals pretty decent 'cause I can divvy it up with the family (rmember to bring zip-loc bags). I can get small cups from the concession stand - who can drink a whole jumbo-sized pop on their own? I wish they'd bring back the popcorn refills.

My two beefs:

• "...spend $50 or more..." is in fine print at the theatre (kudos to Indigo for including it in big type on the actual coupon)
• I had to remind the food concession guy to give me my coupon.

Note: these offers are available only in Canada.
Starbucks update: Most of you know I had an incident at Starbucks (at Indigo Yorkdale) last week. I am still negotiating with Starbucks in Seattle. I'll let you know the outcome as soon as there's some news.

Technorati tags: bargains, books, Chapters Indigo, coupons, customer service, movies, shopping, Starbucks, theatres, toys

Club Monaco friends and family sale

Club Monaco in having a friends and family sale in Toronto (Kim, thanks for sharing):


Technorati tags: clothing, fashion, sales, shopping, Toronto

Victoria Secret's coming to Canada?

There was big news in the fashion retail world today, as reported in the Globe and Mail.

The Limited Brands a successful U.S. company best know for Victoria's Secret, the sexy lingerie store, made a friendly take-over bid for Canada's La Senza chain.

We'll have to wait and see what's going to migrate to the Great White North. If I were you, I'd put my money on Victoria's Secret to start the migration.

The Limited Brands:
Victoria's Secret
Express
Bath & Body Works
C.O. Bigelow
The Limited
The White Barn Candle Company
Henri Bendel

What do you think of another big U.S. chain moving north?

Technorati tags: Canada, fashion, shopping, Victoria's Secret

Facination II - another hidden gem

In the 80s, I lived in the Yonge/St. Clair area and was a loyal customer of the original Fascination where I met the second owner, Lori, whom I've known for years. I just don't know why she hasn't opened up shop online. :)

Fast forward 15 years later, and we've both moved uptown. Fascination II (see map) is a wonderful accessories and gift shop in Yonge/Lawrence Village. Lori has exquisite taste and her shelves are filled with everything from butter-leather gloves and silk scarves to great costume jewellery, fancy printed kleenex in purse packs to candles, picture frames, socks and nik naks.

Occasionally, there are some great deals if you take a close look through all the nooks and crannies of this jam-packed shop. Recently, I scored a great find from a bargain bin -- a groovy pink printed chiffon scarf for 75% off!

Technorati tags: accessories, fashion, shopping

Holt's private shopping night

This just in from Holt's (it's not even on their website - at least not yet):

Technorati tags: Holt Renfrew, Toronto

Mis-Match

You know what they say, "If the shoe fits..."

What happens when you finally find the right pair of shoes but when you get home you find out you have two different sizes?

We've been looking for a new pair of running shoes for my older son for three months. (Poor guy, nothing seems to fit right and he's tried on too many pairs to count.)

We finally bought him a new pair at SportCheck on Saturday but when we got home he discovered they were two different sizes! It's not the first time this has happened. Two weeks ago we found what we thought was the right pair at The Shoe Company but nooooo. Just as we were about to pay, the cashier noticed they were two different sizes. Well at least she checked before ringing in the sale.

I don't know why salespeople can't check shoes to ensure they're a pair before they put them:

• on the customer's feet,
• back in the box,
• on display, and,
  
• in the bag.

Is it really that hard? Come on.

What I'd really like to know is who are all those people walking around with mis-matched shoes?

Share your customer service gaffes. Add your comments.

Technorati tags: customer service, shoes, shopping

Taking the "star" out of Starbucks

I was going to write a post about my mishaps yesterday at Starbucks. Looks like I'm not the only one who had gripe with them.

See what Mish had to say and read the comments to learn my story. I also want to give a big thank you to the lovely family visiting from St. Catharines who witnessed my discussion with the manager and were a great support.

Any tips for cleaning Coach bags, please let me know.

I'll be sure to post the outcome. Read Starbucks Gossip and see what others had to say.

Technorati tags: coffee, retail, Starbucks

Lest we forget

Today is Remembrance Day. Remember to wear your poppy in memory and honour of those brave men and women who serve(d) our country in support of world peace.

Technorati tags: poppies, Remembrance Day, world peace

Weekend specials

Looks like a great weekend for bargains...

2-Day Sample Sale - Mac&Jac, Kenzie, Powerline:
Dominic Bellissimo - Shearling liquidation for men and women:

Roots:

Gap:

Olly:


Note: remember to check the fine print for details, these coupons are valid in stores in Ontario and/or across Canada

Technorati tags: bargains, coupons, clothing, Gap, retail, shopping

Missing you...

My Internet service was shotty to say the least for several weeks but I blamed it on an old house and lots of rain (sometimes it gets into the phone lines and causes problems). And then the unthinkable happened, it stopped altogether. Suffice it to say, after almost four painfully frustrating hours on the phone with Bell Sympatico, I got a new modem and life seems to be looking up.

Ten years ago I wouldn't have cared if I couldn't use e-mail for a day, surf the web or post to my blog. Today, it's a nightmare. The Internet is probably the most sought-after item in the house. Sometimes we have to take a number to use it. (Hey, maybe it's time to get another computer. Apple are you listening?)

Why am I telling you all this... well I hope you'll forgive me for not telling you about...

Want warehouse sale

Viktor & Rolf at H&M

Dish Denim Event at Girl Friday

Trunk show at Nathalie-Roze & Co.

DKNY winter jacket I bought at Winners' winter wear event - yes, I actually found some awesome designer jackets there!

Technorati tags: Apple, accessories, bargains, Bell Sympatico, customer service, DKNY, fashion, H&M, sales, Viktor & Rolf