Good to know.

The other Paula in PA...lol

WalMart is reducing prices on Sunday.

Glad I don't have to go!

We were in Kohl's last weekend....they had some AMAZING prices on things!! Jewlery was 60% off, plus another 10% that evening, Plus I had a 15% off of everything when I checked out. Almost everything was 50-60% off! I sure wish I could have found more...but Caryn did a wonderful job! lol

I also made a killing at Kohl's, on Friday. Everything was at least 60% off....got another 20%, and $20 back. I'll take that $20 voucher over and look for something for $19.95 :).

I have two of the $10 certificates to JC Penneys. If my 8 yo can't find some shirts, I'll buy something else. I need some everyday clothes. Hopefully, I can find something that fits.

Prices are really down here too--if only we can get to the stores.

It is great to see low prices but it could backfire on your favorite store in the near future. I don't like to pay more than I have to but it is also hard to see how they can mark most things down 50-60% and then give extra discounts on top of that. How are these store going to remain profitable? I know we as consumers don't think or care about that when it is "our" purchase, but it takes much more volume to make up for those deep discounts to remain profitable. Especially in this economy when spending is down. I expect to see some retail stores close down next year when they realize that the 08 Christmas season was really dismal. Anyways congrats to those that got great bargains. I just hope the stores are around in the future to keep giving them.

CBTEXAS...
I agree with your reasoning.

Cream

Most of the stores mentioned above have had problems for quite awhile. The economy is making it more obvious. I've never shopped Costco, but I have shopped JC Penney and Kohl's. JC Penny has been declining because they have been lowering their quality and style. Kohl's is even worse. Their adult clothing doesn't hold up. The thread holding the seams together comes out and the colors fade. The kids clothes are pretty cheaply put together also.

It's also happening to stores that haven't had problems in the past. I agree with CB. While it's great that we are getting great deals, it is not good for many retail companies.

There are rumors going around that Penny's plans to close some of their stores that aren't doing very good after the new year (It was in our newspaper). Maybe thats why they are giving such discounts now to help get rid of the merchandise before the first of the year.

Doom.....Gloom.....Everywhere.......

Bah humbug and all that.

What will happen will happen.

If we don't take advantage of these lower prices and great deals, will that help the economy? NO. I don't think so.

So, let's celebrate while we can.

We may all be bah humbugging before long so enjoy it while you can.

My SO had a $10 certificate from Penny's too. He got his GS a $25 remote control car for $2 and some change because it was also 50% off. If Penny's didn't want us to use the darn certificates, they wouldn't have printed them out.

I don't have my head in the sand, but there's no reason to moan and groan about what will be and not appreciate what IS.

We went to Steve and Barry's going out of business sale today and got a bundle of clothes for 60.00! I can't believe the great prices in that store. DH found about 6 pairs of shorts for 1.49 a pair, I got ton's of t-shirts for DH, my son's and grandsons for 1.50-3.50. We got so much today..it was a great sale....just hate to see them close. Even at their regular prices they were good deals.

My daughter called me yesterday and said she was at j.c.Penny's and got two adult sweaters, top, 3 pc baby outfit, 5 outfits for daughter and niece and a few extra little things. Everything 50% off, plus the clerk scanned a 15.00 off coupon and my daughter had the 10.00 off coupon. All said and done she paid, 64.00 and the total savings was 174.00.
Wow.

I recently learned that when you see a price ending in "7", like $19.97, at Costco, that item is being closed out. so it's a special price, and if you don't get it now, it probably won't be there tomorrow.

Except for basic meats and a few food items, I don't count on seeing any items again in Costco. They rotate items regularly. But since I don't shop there on a regular basis usually, I never realized that prices on items would drop like that.

I certainly realize what's going on behind these low prices but hey, I'm trying to look at the glass as half-full. I can't help it if a retailer is on it's last legs. I know many people are trying to cut back this Christmas so at least our dollars will go further for these extras while the cost of our basics (food, utilities, etc) are rising. I picked up that $20 Computer School and told my parents to take the one they bought back and they can give my son this one. Now they want to buy him something else too which I'm trying to convince them is unnecessary since my son is still getting the same thing and he has no idea what they paid for it.

Stores purchased current inventories before the big drop in financial markets. They are left, literally, holding the bag (bills for inventory).
They must pay for these goods because they can't get credit for spring orders.

So....they have to get these items off the shelves in order to get more inventory. Seasonal items will not sell the next season and non-seasonals are tough to sell when new models come out (appliances, etc).

There are too many retailers on the scene now. Too many stores. This area is saturated with shopping centers, big box stores less than 10 miles apart. They have to shut some down.

I am buying because the prices are attractive, and I don't feel like i'm taking advantage because I know they need the cash.

I guess that is good for me as I haven't had a chance to do any Christmas shopping yet. I have an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow and plan to shop afterwards.

The thrift store I go to usually has a 1/2 off sale every Wednesday. I just found out the last time I was there that they are having the 1/2 off sale every day this month. Now that I got all my Christmas shopping done, I can buy myself something nice.
Clare

"I am buying because the prices are attractive, and I don't feel like i'm taking advantage because I know they need the cash."

I agree that they probably need the cash, but if they think they can sell items at 70% off and still make money that would make you think they are really ripping you off at their regular prices.

One poster mentioned that they got a 25.00 remote controlled car for a little over 2.00 with the discount and additional coupons. How does the retailer think they can have a car made, shipped from China, sold and make any money after paying their item cost, rent, employees, ect? It is great for the consumer while it last, but this house of cards won't stand long if they keep it up. It will be interesting when the final numbers come in.

I want to clarify that I didn't mean we shouldn't take advantage of these deals. I was just agreeing that this is hurting many retail companies. I work for one that is slashing prices this weekend for just the reason Monica said.

I hade a lady that worked at Penney's tell me that they could sell at 70% off and still make a profit. I wouldn't doubt it as I think they are overpriced as a lot of stores are. I bought a sweater the other day at Gliks for half off. The original price was $45. It certainly wasn't worth that and I would never have paid that price.

Fact is...2.00 is better than nothing.