Christmas shopping tips!

[maxiesmom]

With only 3 weeks to go, the malls are getting crazy busy! So here are a few shopping tips from someone who works retail that will not only help you get in and out faster, but will also save some employees sanity.

#1 If you are looking for something specific, know what it is. That sounds silly, I know. But people call or stop in all the time looking for items, but have no clue about brand or style or price. If you don't know what you are looking for then it is hard for you to explain to me what you are looking for. And if you can't explain to me what it is, I can't help you.

#2 If you want something that is pictured in the ad, bring the ad in with you. Most stores have multiple sales flyers out at the same time, so saying you want something that is pictured in the ad is not hugely helpful. Know what you are looking for and I can guide you to it.

#3 Shop right when the store opens, or in the first 3 hours. If you can shop in the morning, do it! Hardly anyone does. Not only will the store be nice and clean, you will be more likely to get waited on right away. And there will not be any checkout lines either.

#4 Don't shop between noon and four, or seven and nine pm. That is when everyone else does. You will find it hard to find an associate to wait on you, and when you find one, you will most likely be one of many people that associate is trying to help.

#5 If you have to shop when it is busy, do yourself a favor and leave the big giant strollers at home. I watched a guy try to push a 3-child wide stroller thru our store yesterday. On a slow day it would have been a challenge. We were crazy busy, and this guy poor guy was getting no where. The wife was trying to run blocker for him, but it was very slow going. That many people shopping+giant stroller=no fun.

Please take these tips into consideration when you are out doing your holiday shopping. They will make your shopping trips more enjoyable. Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[happygirl]

I'm really bad about number 1. I will go in the store with my mind made up with what I'm going to get and then change my mind a half a million times once I get there

 

[golfgal]

Ok, about #1--half the time you get a "list" from someone that says "I want that one thing that is blue and turns around and around". Um, ok .

When I worked retail we always had copies of the ads at the register so we could provide service to the customers and help them vs expecting them to remember to bring in an ad .

Strollers aren't fun but not everyone can get a babysitter either.

 

[C.Ann]

I am sooooo glad that I don't have to deal with the "mall mob scene madness.."

Years ago - before I started shopping online though - I found the absolute best time to go shopping would be Monday thru Friday - at dinner time - typically 4:30 to 6:30.. Never in the evening - never on the weekend!!

 

[C.Ann]

I'm really bad about number 1. I will go in the store with my mind made up with what I'm going to get and then change my mind a half a million times once I get there

Nooooooo! Make that list and stick to it.. And don't fall into that trap of throwing extra stuff in your cart because it's "cute" or it's "only $$".. Your wallet will love you for it..

 

[happygirl]

Nooooooo! Make that list and stick to it.. And don't fall into that trap of throwing extra stuff in your cart because it's "cute" or it's "only $$".. Your wallet will love you for it..

You are right!! It also might make my hubby quit cryiing when I get home from shopping lol

 

[luvsJack]

Nooooooo! Make that list and stick to it.. And don't fall into that trap of throwing extra stuff in your cart because it's "cute" or it's "only $$".. Your wallet will love you for it..

That is the best part of online shopping for me. No impulse buys. You can't really see all those little cutsie things that tend to open up wallets.

 

[luvsJack]

Ok, about #1--half the time you get a "list" from someone that says "I want that one thing that is blue and turns around and around". Um, ok .

When I worked retail we always had copies of the ads at the register so we could provide service to the customers and help them vs expecting them to remember to bring in an ad .

Strollers aren't fun but not everyone can get a babysitter either.

Or you have that one person that you have no clue what to get, so you wander around trying to find something that is "just screaming their name".

 

[golfgal]

Or you have that one person that you have no clue what to get, so you wander around trying to find something that is "just screaming their name".

And for me that is usually what I have to do for my KIDS-they never give us lists (except for this year which was SO much easier on me)

 

[luvsJack]

And for me that is usually what I have to do for my KIDS-they never give us lists (except for this year which was SO much easier on me)

Oh, tell me about it. If mine don't give me some kind of idea, not only do I walk aimlessly around the store till I find something; but after I bring home the "perfect gift" I discover that the reason it was so "perfect" is they already have it!!!!

 

[C.Ann]

That is the best part of online shopping for me. No impulse buys. You can't really see all those little cutsie things that tend to open up wallets.

I have saved sooooo much money this way.. Not only with the best deals and sales, but the non-impulse buying.. I swear - years ago I could go into a store for a few stocking stuffers, fill my cart with the "cutisie" and "it's only" items - easily drop a hundred bucks - and still not have the stocking stuffers!!!

I love online shopping - and so does my bank account!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I just went through the 3 maps and stores of my malls here. I wanted to know which one to take my dd shopping. One mall has only 4 stores geared to her age group and another one has 10. Good to know.

 

[maxiesmom]

When I worked retail we always had copies of the ads at the register so we could provide service to the customers and help them vs expecting them to remember to bring in an ad .

Strollers aren't fun but not everyone can get a babysitter either.

I'm just saying if you bring the ad in it will make it easier to find what you want. Sure the registers may have a copy of it, but most people don't go to the registers to get help in a department.

I also realize not everyone can get a babysitter, but pushing a huge stroller thru a crowded store is not easy. Shop early in the day if you can, or opt for a couple of single strollers instead of a side by side one.

Either of those tips will make it easier on the person shopping, which is what my little tip list is all about! Why make things hard on yourself?

 

[Tinkerbell58]

DD and I went shopping at a local mall today and had a difficult time getting through the main aisle of the store. It seems a group of about 10 people decided to have what looked like a family reunion in the middle of the aisle. A few of the kids were laying on the floor. The group didn't seem to care that they were blocking the aisle.

 

[disneyfan007]

Kohls opened at 7:00 today, I was there by 7:30. Loved every minute of it! I am always one of those early birds out. I cannot stand crowds.

 

[Terry36]

I am one of those early morning shoppers as well. I love getting in, buying what I want then leaving as the hords of shoppers start arriving.

 

[KathyTX]

I do a lot of shopping online, especially for electronics or when there's one very specific thing I'm looking for.

But shopping when the stores are bustling with other Christmas shoppers is still a BIG part of the fun of the season for me! I love seeing the Christmas displays and all of the fun little trinkets and stocking stuffers that come out.

I love being in the stores when there's a lot of activity and seeing what people are buying and watching them choose their gifts. Seeing people get excited about gifts and new purchases is fun!