While I'm not a representative of Wal-Mart or any other store, I've worked retail for most of my life and I'm pretty sure I can answer your question.
See, most people walk into a store, see something they want, and buy it. That's just your average person. A much smaller percentage of people are researchers. We look at all the prices at a bunch of different stores, figure out the cheapest way to get it, and our determination is rewarded by a little extra green in our pockets. The company makes more money off the impulse buyer, but the researcher comes out better if they're the patient sort.
Is it a crappy system? Sure. It's a multi-national, billion-dollar corporation. They're in it to make money and there are tons of people who wouldn't think twice to just grab the DVD and hand over the cash (or more likely credit).
But let's back up a step. All of these policies are made at a national level. The guy who made them, the one who knows how people operate and how to get more money out of them, he's probably never set foot in that store. It's probably been thirty years since he worked on a sales floor. He will never hear your complaint, even if you call the 1-800 number and complain. His system works 99% of the time anyway, so they're not going to change.
Can you get the DVD for the online price in store? Sure. Just keep on complaining up the management tree until you find someone who will break the policy for you. The store manager almost always will, just so you don't go to corporate. The powerless nobodies in the store who've had to listen to you complaining about a 20-year old movie for the last 45 minutes will come up with a clever nickname for you and will groan every time you enter their department.
I buy on sale whenever possible. If I can't find the item on sale I might pay full price, if it's something we absolutely want or need. I won't buy something that's on sale if I won't wear, eat, or use it... that turns out to be a bigger waste of money than paying full price for what you will use.
Any refund I get goes into a few different places: emergency fund, paying down debt, and my kids 529 college fund. I always keep a few dollars to take the spouse out to lunch at a decent restaurant.
I used to see myself as an unlucky person as I failed in love and work time and time again. Now look back what happened, I realize 2 important things. First, I missed opportunities. They pass by my life but I hesistated to grab them immediately. Or there are 2 or 3 chances at the same time, and I chose the one among them but it didn't work. The second is to accept what I have instead of trying to change our destiny or we just fail. I mean what comes to use, let it happen naturally instead of changing it as what we shape perfectly because perfection doesnt exist. I read a book name Good Luck and Bad luck at smashwords.com. There are some tips and superstitions that we can learn to improve our lives. I find it really useful.
"Dollars and Sense"! How clever! They took the word "cents" and used its homonym. What cutting-edge wordplay.
Seriously though, Dr. Klontz doesn't appear to understand interest rates. The worst credit card customers pay 25% annually: he suggests charging your kids 25% weekly, which is close to 11 million percent annually if it's compounded. Not that you shouldn't charge your kids interest, but you'd do your kids a far better favor if you EXPLAINED the concept of interest to them rather than simply charging it. But that's tough to do if you don't understand it yourself.
We're mulling over a window or door replacement as well. The credit isn't what it was in prior years, but it's still a few hundred bucks nonetheless - with an annual ROI to boot!
That sounds funny, like "just rip out a wall here throw one up there". Totally, it's not chump change, especially when it turns out to be a load-bearing wall or have other issues.
Oh, no need to apologize at all - it's a long story and I felt compelled to at least share the high points since this same scenario is likely playing out all over the country right now. Realtors need to make a living too and I get why they're aggressively trying to make a sale. I just want to point out to prospective buyers and sellers some of the common statements they might hear that turn out to be problematic later on when they find out for themselves.
If I am looking to buy something big (over $100), I'll sit on it for 2-3 months looking for a sale or coupons. If I want it after that 2-3 month period, I'll usually just get it, sale or no sale.
As a former realtor and trainer, I hear all of the arguments and understand that both sides have valid arguments. There is no one size fits all and each customer and transaction is vastly different.
A real estate professional earns their money. So many things go on behind the scenes that a customer usually never knows about and that is what the commission is paying for, expertise, experience, knowledge and the ability to get a job done. To assume that everyone who hires a real estate professional should know every move that is required to complete a transaction and do the rest of their business is absurd. I do not need to know how you spend every minute of your time just because I read your blog. Somehow when the actual number appears on a closing statement and the people involved with the transaction see it automatically the discounting of the abilities, skills and needs come into question.
I will be the first to say that a lot of people in real estate are not professionals. I will also say that if sellers and buyers were more up front about expectations, financial situations and would take the time to read through a contract and if they do not understand it take it to an attorney to have it expalined to them many issues would not be encountered in the first place.
By the way in many states real estate professionals are not allowed to accept kickbacks, federally no mortgage broker is allowed to give kickbacks. It is also illegal in many states for a real estate professional to accept any form of payment or gift (dinner, theater tickets, etc.) unless it first goes through their broker and may even be kept by the broker if they so choose without passing it on the the associate. A commission is the payment for services unless disclosed upfront with all parties concerned. Also the commission usually never fully belongs to the real estate associate, it is split with the broker or in many instances pays for the usage of the "desk". An average breakdown of what an associate keeps versus what you see on the closing statement is vastly different.
In the end I did not do business with friends or relatives. I did not try to make friends with my customers. I explained up front I not was there to be their friend, but a professional. It kept the transactions and expectations neater and there was never a question in the back on my mind that I was not able to be forthright with a person because we may be uncomfortable at a BBQ.
For those people who decide you prefer to handle a transaction of this magnatude of your own I think that is great, but at least seek the advice of a real estate attorney to assist you through the process and be a source that can provide you with assistance should you stumble into dangerous waters.
i got a card in the mail too. Since it was mailed to my address and my name is on it, I'm sure it must automatically have my ssn on file as well (like greendot cards require). I wonder what would happen if I tossed it in the trash, someone found it, called and activated it, added money and then proceeded to buy p_orn and/or fund illegal activities under my name....no thanks. shredding it.
also they were telling me to load my refund on there... yeah right
So let me see if I understand this post You had your friend help you with your real estate. You told him upfront that you were not going to pay him for his services (2% listing) you wanted him to find you a house where you could basically steal something (in this case a pool) and then your house does not sale so you write up this post downing your friend that did all this for free. You do make some good points like agent not knowing what rates will be, and just a few thousand but how much homework do you expect "your friend" was going to do for free.
Absolutely try to buy on sale, will buy up to a two year suppy on non-perishables if a great deal is available, could be due to a combo of sale and coupon makes it a great price or clearance. I have been of the mindset recently that prices are not going to get any cheaper on a lot of items I use. Clothes are almost always purchased on sale, it is rare that I need something so urgently I can't wait for a sale or discounted price.
I want to say 80% of the stuff I buy is on sale. From clothes to day to day items. I love a good deal it just makes me feel that I can use the money I put towards my savings or retirement or even going out funds.
I try to buy almost everything on sale or with coupons or promotion codes. My husband and I just don't have the means to buy everything at original price.
Pretty much. I'm still unemployed, so it's not like I'm buying cartloads of crap that I gotta have 'Right Now!' It's mostly replacements for stuff that's wearing out. I have an idea of what's worst off, and keep an eye out for the sales for the replacements.
I try very hard to only buy on sale and know prices (so that I know if it's a worthwhile sale). However with a large family it is hard to anticipate every need so occasionally we end up buying something at regular price.
I see this all the time, and I understand it has to do with the cost of carrying inventory. There is less store space than warehouse space, so holding the cost of the product at the store is going to take up more real estate and have a higher cost associated with it.
That being said, BUY ONLINE ALL THE TIME! I wrote an article about this last month myself, brick and mortars cannot compete with online retailers, even if they are owned by the same company.
While I'm not a representative of Wal-Mart or any other store, I've worked retail for most of my life and I'm pretty sure I can answer your question.
See, most people walk into a store, see something they want, and buy it. That's just your average person. A much smaller percentage of people are researchers. We look at all the prices at a bunch of different stores, figure out the cheapest way to get it, and our determination is rewarded by a little extra green in our pockets. The company makes more money off the impulse buyer, but the researcher comes out better if they're the patient sort.
Is it a crappy system? Sure. It's a multi-national, billion-dollar corporation. They're in it to make money and there are tons of people who wouldn't think twice to just grab the DVD and hand over the cash (or more likely credit).
But let's back up a step. All of these policies are made at a national level. The guy who made them, the one who knows how people operate and how to get more money out of them, he's probably never set foot in that store. It's probably been thirty years since he worked on a sales floor. He will never hear your complaint, even if you call the 1-800 number and complain. His system works 99% of the time anyway, so they're not going to change.
Can you get the DVD for the online price in store? Sure. Just keep on complaining up the management tree until you find someone who will break the policy for you. The store manager almost always will, just so you don't go to corporate. The powerless nobodies in the store who've had to listen to you complaining about a 20-year old movie for the last 45 minutes will come up with a clever nickname for you and will groan every time you enter their department.
I buy on sale whenever possible. If I can't find the item on sale I might pay full price, if it's something we absolutely want or need. I won't buy something that's on sale if I won't wear, eat, or use it... that turns out to be a bigger waste of money than paying full price for what you will use.
Any refund I get goes into a few different places: emergency fund, paying down debt, and my kids 529 college fund. I always keep a few dollars to take the spouse out to lunch at a decent restaurant.
I used to see myself as an unlucky person as I failed in love and work time and time again. Now look back what happened, I realize 2 important things. First, I missed opportunities. They pass by my life but I hesistated to grab them immediately. Or there are 2 or 3 chances at the same time, and I chose the one among them but it didn't work. The second is to accept what I have instead of trying to change our destiny or we just fail. I mean what comes to use, let it happen naturally instead of changing it as what we shape perfectly because perfection doesnt exist. I read a book name Good Luck and Bad luck at smashwords.com. There are some tips and superstitions that we can learn to improve our lives. I find it really useful.
"Dollars and Sense"! How clever! They took the word "cents" and used its homonym. What cutting-edge wordplay.
Seriously though, Dr. Klontz doesn't appear to understand interest rates. The worst credit card customers pay 25% annually: he suggests charging your kids 25% weekly, which is close to 11 million percent annually if it's compounded. Not that you shouldn't charge your kids interest, but you'd do your kids a far better favor if you EXPLAINED the concept of interest to them rather than simply charging it. But that's tough to do if you don't understand it yourself.
We're mulling over a window or door replacement as well. The credit isn't what it was in prior years, but it's still a few hundred bucks nonetheless - with an annual ROI to boot!
Thanks for including my article on credit cards and taxes!
That sounds funny, like "just rip out a wall here throw one up there". Totally, it's not chump change, especially when it turns out to be a load-bearing wall or have other issues.
Oh, no need to apologize at all - it's a long story and I felt compelled to at least share the high points since this same scenario is likely playing out all over the country right now. Realtors need to make a living too and I get why they're aggressively trying to make a sale. I just want to point out to prospective buyers and sellers some of the common statements they might hear that turn out to be problematic later on when they find out for themselves.
If I am looking to buy something big (over $100), I'll sit on it for 2-3 months looking for a sale or coupons. If I want it after that 2-3 month period, I'll usually just get it, sale or no sale.
Does anyone have the code for MAGNAVOX MDV3000/F7? Any help is GREATLY appreciated!
As a former realtor and trainer, I hear all of the arguments and understand that both sides have valid arguments. There is no one size fits all and each customer and transaction is vastly different.
A real estate professional earns their money. So many things go on behind the scenes that a customer usually never knows about and that is what the commission is paying for, expertise, experience, knowledge and the ability to get a job done. To assume that everyone who hires a real estate professional should know every move that is required to complete a transaction and do the rest of their business is absurd. I do not need to know how you spend every minute of your time just because I read your blog. Somehow when the actual number appears on a closing statement and the people involved with the transaction see it automatically the discounting of the abilities, skills and needs come into question.
I will be the first to say that a lot of people in real estate are not professionals. I will also say that if sellers and buyers were more up front about expectations, financial situations and would take the time to read through a contract and if they do not understand it take it to an attorney to have it expalined to them many issues would not be encountered in the first place.
By the way in many states real estate professionals are not allowed to accept kickbacks, federally no mortgage broker is allowed to give kickbacks. It is also illegal in many states for a real estate professional to accept any form of payment or gift (dinner, theater tickets, etc.) unless it first goes through their broker and may even be kept by the broker if they so choose without passing it on the the associate. A commission is the payment for services unless disclosed upfront with all parties concerned. Also the commission usually never fully belongs to the real estate associate, it is split with the broker or in many instances pays for the usage of the "desk". An average breakdown of what an associate keeps versus what you see on the closing statement is vastly different.
In the end I did not do business with friends or relatives. I did not try to make friends with my customers. I explained up front I not was there to be their friend, but a professional. It kept the transactions and expectations neater and there was never a question in the back on my mind that I was not able to be forthright with a person because we may be uncomfortable at a BBQ.
For those people who decide you prefer to handle a transaction of this magnatude of your own I think that is great, but at least seek the advice of a real estate attorney to assist you through the process and be a source that can provide you with assistance should you stumble into dangerous waters.
The wax thing works :)
I usually don't buy anything unless it's marked down or I have a decent coupon. The rare exception is paying "full price" at Marshalls or Ross.
i got a card in the mail too. Since it was mailed to my address and my name is on it, I'm sure it must automatically have my ssn on file as well (like greendot cards require). I wonder what would happen if I tossed it in the trash, someone found it, called and activated it, added money and then proceeded to buy p_orn and/or fund illegal activities under my name....no thanks. shredding it.
also they were telling me to load my refund on there... yeah right
So let me see if I understand this post You had your friend help you with your real estate. You told him upfront that you were not going to pay him for his services (2% listing) you wanted him to find you a house where you could basically steal something (in this case a pool) and then your house does not sale so you write up this post downing your friend that did all this for free. You do make some good points like agent not knowing what rates will be, and just a few thousand but how much homework do you expect "your friend" was going to do for free.
Absolutely try to buy on sale, will buy up to a two year suppy on non-perishables if a great deal is available, could be due to a combo of sale and coupon makes it a great price or clearance. I have been of the mindset recently that prices are not going to get any cheaper on a lot of items I use. Clothes are almost always purchased on sale, it is rare that I need something so urgently I can't wait for a sale or discounted price.
I want to say 80% of the stuff I buy is on sale. From clothes to day to day items. I love a good deal it just makes me feel that I can use the money I put towards my savings or retirement or even going out funds.
Thank you for taking the time to share these facts. Shows a little research goes a long way :-)
Usually, but if I need something I'll buy it either way
I try to buy almost everything on sale or with coupons or promotion codes. My husband and I just don't have the means to buy everything at original price.
Pretty much. I'm still unemployed, so it's not like I'm buying cartloads of crap that I gotta have 'Right Now!' It's mostly replacements for stuff that's wearing out. I have an idea of what's worst off, and keep an eye out for the sales for the replacements.
I try very hard to only buy on sale and know prices (so that I know if it's a worthwhile sale). However with a large family it is hard to anticipate every need so occasionally we end up buying something at regular price.
No, I buy whenever I think the price is good. Sale doesn't always mean good price.
I see this all the time, and I understand it has to do with the cost of carrying inventory. There is less store space than warehouse space, so holding the cost of the product at the store is going to take up more real estate and have a higher cost associated with it.
That being said, BUY ONLINE ALL THE TIME! I wrote an article about this last month myself, brick and mortars cannot compete with online retailers, even if they are owned by the same company.