Where do you like to shop on line that is unique?

14 years ago

Not including department stores, where do you shop on line that makes you glad you go there? I'm doing my Christmas shopping and looking for ideas!

I have found some great quality items for super nice prices at Eddie Bauer. When a good sale comes on with free shipping, that's my favorite time to shop for my family.

Also, I'm looking for places around the country that have gift items which reflect their area or unique items made only there. It could be food, crafts, clothing, anything. What places in your area come to mind? If you were to receive a monthly food item, what sounds good to you? Cruising through the monthly clubs I saw Bacon Of the Month. Why does something so tasty have to be so unhealthy? It's only once a month though!

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Comments (21)

lydia1959
14 years ago
You can find lots of handcrafted items at Etsy.com. I do quite a bit of gift shopping there.. just ordered some inexpensive handmade earrings for my Mom last night as a stocking stuffer.

Quirky.com has unique items invented by ordinary people. Computer and household things... not a lot to chose from, but helpful inexpensive items.

Monthly food item? For me it'd have to be a "steak of the month" or "bread of the month" (if there even is such a thing). I'm not really adventurous as far as food goes and am kind of particular about certain foods.
gabbythecat
14 years ago
Recently I've had some fun with cafepress.com. They have such an amazing assortment of items that can be imprinted with your choice of sayings and/or clipart. Their design feature on their web site is easy to use. Or if you aren't feeling creative, you can use one of their designs.

We ordered matching aprons for my inlaws - hoping they will use the aprons with the garage sale we're hoping they will have this summer (pockets to hold money - instead of using a cash box). I splurged and got a "Tremor Free, Courtesy of DBS" t-shirt for myself.

Their products seem good quality; there is a huge variety of styles of everything, and the prices aren't bad...not exactly unique in a crafty sort of way, but you can definitely personalize whatever you want in whatever way you want. That makes it kind of fun.
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Joanie- your best bet would be to go straight to a store that is just for swimsuits. Mostly all of their selections are separates and many lines have bra sizing. Yes they are pricey, but it's my summer splurge. If I'm going to be half naked in public, you bet my suit is going to fit and hold my parts in properly! IMHO spending extra on a couple of well made perfect fitting suits is a no-brainer (considering you take care of them, hand wash etc they can last for years). We have a store in a local mall that is called "everything but the water". Name speaks for itself! Unfortunately, I have no advice for the ones who "fear the fitting room germs". Unfortunately, I am petite and curvy (not overweight, but not ready to wear either) so have to try on everything, and have to get most things tailored. It is a fact of life for me! Thankfully I LOVE "the art" of shopping so have accepted the fact that it takes me some effort to get the look I want. I have many favorite places to shop but most are at least a 30 min+ drive, so usually plan a "shopping day" (not very often with 3 kids!). There are a couple of local boutiques which I love, and although one may think "stuck up" or "pushy" when it comes to boutique shopping, once the salesperson gets to know you and your style, they become like a personal shopper. Plus I get advance notice and first pick on their special sales! My place calls me when they think I might like something that just came in. There is no pressure on me to buy. 9 times out of 10 I just browse and may buy on that 10th visit. I too live on a budget, but make sure I put away for my "happy fund" when that occasional splurge is needed.
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there are lots of these and you can get them for your android devices as well as apple devices, just google for price check apps. I had posted a link to several on that same thread on computer help where the priceblink was. Having them on cellphone while out shopping can be helpful, some let you just scan the code on the product and it will pop up with the best prices in your area for the product. Five Best Mobile Price Comparison Apps the Amazon price check app is great if you use it to check the price of anything it will tell you if you can get it cheaper on Amazon and to sweeten the deal they will give you a 5% discount right there for doing so. So anything you are going to buy whether on Amazon or not go ahead and use the app then buy from Amazon and get your 5% discount.
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YES and I got better deals because online I can find all sorts of coupon codes for discounts and most all had free shipping so I got it for cheaper than it would have been in the store and I did not spend a dime for gas to go get it. I much prefer to do it online if I can get it for the same or lower prices. I am just not into the big shopping crowds. In a wheelchair it is really difficult to get around in crowds and I am always afraid of someone falling on me or me running over someones foot. I had one guy a while back at the mall, he was busy talking on his cell phone totally not paying attention to his real surroundings and veered right into me and ended up sitting in my lap!! Then they act like it was your fault! A lady walking beside us that saw what happened told him well it's a good thing it was not a fountain you would end up on youtube like the other idiot that was not paying attention while on their cell phone. I thought that was a great come back!!
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lazypup
14 years ago
The Goodwill Industries online auction..it is like ebay but it is all used items being sold by Goodwill Industries...

I have bought hundreds of items from them and some have been some super bargains.

www.shopgoodwill.com
marie_ndcal
14 years ago
Tiger.com and newegg.com for computers and supplies. DH has gotten some great bargins and they do back their guarantees.
User
14 years ago
I just bought a dress on Etsy for, I think, $154.

Go to Emily Ryan. She is a great seamstress and the material is very nice. My style. She made it to my measurements and I love it. I have long arms and am long waisted and it works beautifully. I got it in black with pockets. It takes, I think, 4 weeks. She is a seamstress who is making her name as a designer and I will support her. Look it up and tell me what you think.

Etsy is addictive and I have bought a number of things.

Here is a link that might be useful: Emily Ryan Tunic.
User
14 years ago
I also bought a 4 panel braille piece from an artist who has a blind child. It spells out love. Look at it. It means a lot to me as I worked with blind children a very long time ago.

Here is a link that might be useful: Braille painting with raised dots.
sushipup1
14 years ago
I love Bits and Pieces for puzzles. Great gift ideas.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bits and Pieces
terilyn
14 years ago
Zappos for their shipping and return. Etsy for personalized stones, wonderful gifts.
sleeperblues
14 years ago
I love this thread, keep them coming.

I like Brad's deals. Especially during the holidays. I have gotten some incredible deals, like 3 years of Us magazine (I like to read junk while working out) for 12.00. I almost bought a cuisinart spice rack for 21 yesterday for my son, but I had just given him a bunch of spices.

Here is a link that might be useful: Brad's deals
User
14 years ago
Check out some of the "Made in (state)" stores. I always like to look in the Made in New Mexico one.

Not necessarily online, but we have given wines from local wineries to friends who drink wine.

We also sometimes send food gift baskets from state or local places. Here is one from Petit Jean Meats which is a company in Arkansas. We love their ham and bacon.

Here is a link that might be useful: Petit Jean Meats
Jodi_SoCal
14 years ago
When I have to send a gift to friends, family or clients, I use Wine Country Gift Baskets.

Jodi-

Here is a link that might be useful: Wine Country Gift Baskets
juellie1962
14 years ago
Uncommon Goods has some unique stuff. Sometimes the silly things can be a little pricey, but I've ordered from them several times.

www.uncommongoods.com
juellie1962
14 years ago
Ooops, how do you make a link? I thought it did that automatically if you put the "www" in front of it. ???
maire_cate
14 years ago
here it is.....

I just cut and paste the link in the URL box

Here is a link that might be useful: Uncommon goods
jennmonkey
14 years ago
Etsy!!!! Love it!
juellie1962
14 years ago
Thank you Marie!
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
14 years ago
I like overstock.com they have a great shipping price and a lot of stuff.

I like Truly Texan it has several Texan companies and artist all linked there in one place.
Truly Texan

WE have done a lot of smoked meats gifts between family and a couple of the places we like are
Farm Pac

New Branfels Smokehouse

Oakridge Smokehouse Gifts

I get their catalogs and just drool over all the wonderful stuff they have in there. Everything we have ever ordered was great. I ordered more from that last one oak ridge.

for Cajun I go with this place, in fact I have some of their food in my freezer right now. It is all Good
La Boucherie
they have a store front here near my house!

I love to give and also receive unique cookbooks especially ones from small towns, church cookbooks, jr league, clubs etc. I have found a lot of those at Cracker Barrel.

this right here is one of my very fave ones, I have given it as a gift so many times and everyone thanks me many times for it. I am surprised it is still available I got it long long ago. It is by the Jr League of Lake Charles, LA.
Pirate's Pantry: Treasured Recipes of Southwest Louisiana

I also have most of those others shown on that Amazon page. The river road series and the best of the best ones are very good.

a couple of other online stores I have used are RedEnvelope,
DesignToscano, and Maggies Pharm, I have ordered from Maggie for so many years. I used to go to the store when I lived in Memphis, was so glad when she went online. Amazing stuff. My fave is the china musk and china rain Body Silk.
Maggie's Pharm
linda_in_iowa
14 years ago
Heart of Iowa is my fav for state gifts.
Barb-45
14 years ago
My fav is Sock Dreams.com. I shop every year there for unusual socks for DH and DS. They have an amazing selection of stockings for everyone.

Here is a link that might be useful: SOCKS
donna37
14 years ago
I'm ordering from Wine Country for my DS and DD. They have some nice baskets and lots with free shipping.
dedtired
14 years ago
Cool Aprons! You can have aprons personalized with your message. I got a bunch of these for my mom on her 90th birthday, all with funny sayings for her. I also gave them as office gifts. They are definitely cool and also inexpensive.

Look for the "Personalized Aprons" link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cool Aprons

Where do you like to shop on line that is unique?

Comments (21)

lydia1959

gabbythecat

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