Jan G.

OSH doesn't know what it is. It has become so boutiquey that finding some real hardware items is often quite iffy. No more building materials like lumber and bricks, at least in our local store. Nice displays of pretty patio and garden items, but that is not "Supply Hardware." Prices are average, certainly not bargain. They have a rewards program, but I've not figured out what it is about--I've never got any discounts. The plants seem OK, but there is no staff to advise one and going to a dedicated nursery is a far better choice for the dedicated gardener. They do have lots of things like bug killers and cleaning products. Also lights and bulbs, but the prices seem high. Locally our choice is between OSH and Home Depot. I long for the old-fashioned hardware store.

I can't express how I feel about Zenni, but I'll try! This is a wonderful site with GREAT deals on prescription eyeglasses. Even my eye doctor was impressed with the quality of the lenses. I have been buying from them for several years now and every pair has been perfect. Even the "cheap" ones. Lately I have had a difficult prescription (for double vision) and Zenni filled it perfectly (there was a $10 extra charge but that was more than worth it!). The selection is huge and if you like rather quirky styles they even have those. My favorite, although I haven't had the courage to buy them, is a pair with one round and one square lens! But there are plenty of the more usual frames to pick from. Attractive glasses can be had for as little as $6.95 plus $4.99 shipping. And the shipping cost covers the entire order. Many of these styles might cost hundreds of dollars if bought from an eyeglass store. My glasses arrived in less than two weeks. This is custom work at a tiny price. By all means give them a try.

Michael's is rather a boutique arts and crafts store. Yes, there are supplies, but there are lots of trendy home items like artificial flowers, candlesticks, plant holders, holiday items, custom framing, etc. It is far from ideal for the serious artist. BUT they regularly offer major discount coupons sent to one's email. Sign up and you'll get weekly mailing with coupons like 40% of on an item or, sometimes, 20% off the entire order. Also coupons for specific types of items. If ones shops the coupons, there are real savings. And if there is more than one artist in your household, print more than one coupon and check out separately. Or if the store is near, go in more than one time. If they carry what you want and you are willing to stick to the coupons there are great deals. Otherwise the prices can be rather high. Also, wait for the sales on paint, etc. and then stock up

This store is go-to place for just about anything I need from food to holiday items to household items. The original idea was that EVERYTHING was 99 cents, which made for easy shopping. After a time, some items disappeared or came in smaller packages. Then everything became 99.99 cents. OK, so they needed to make more profit. I can understand. Then a few months ago they upped some of the prices. Some things were up
To $1.99 or more. It's still a good place to check first for low prices (along with Dollar Tree) but the selection and prices are not as good as they were.

Yeah, everybody knows about it, and many of us look there first for most everything on-line. I am no different. Great for craft items and bargain costume jewelry. I've had great prices on musical instruments, clothing from India and a lot more. The trick is to become an ebay-oholic and do heavy research, checking new sellers and used items for deals. But that can be dangerous if, like me, you can get carried away.

Unless something is truly unusual, don't buy from the first seller that offers it, especially from China. Also be aware of shipping fees which are not always obvious, especially if you have been looking at "free shipping" things for a while. Finally, some real deals can be had under "ending soonest." You might catch something others have missed. Again, when under a deadline, be sure to check shipping costs!

Feedback can be helpful, but eBay hassles sellers for good marks, who in turn hassle us, the buyers, albeit usually nicely.

I stop in Dollar Tree at least twice a week. The prices are wonderful and the quality is really tops. My only $#*!--which is a small one--is that they do not restock food items as often as I would like. But the bargains more than out-weigh any problems.

I go to Amazon mostly for books. And I have found some remarkable used/good condition items that would have cost a lot more elsewhere. As for other items, as far as I can tell the new prices are somewhere in the middle. I check them but sometimes find a better deal.

We shop at Home Depot because there is nowhere else around our neighborhood (Highland Park, CA) with hardware, lumber and other building and home improvement and repair items. Things like nuts and bolts seem high priced (although the quality may be better, I wouldn't know) and usually only come in packages so if you need 25, say, you may have to buy 100. Whatever happened to the old-fashioned hardware store? The only competition is OSH and the store nearest us has discontinued most building supplies and is rather like a home boutique. So Home Depot it is.

Ross has great bargains if you can find what you want. I go in and look around to see what might be something I would like. It is not a place to look for a specific size or item, but if you are willing to take pot-luck some great things can be had at a low price.

This is a follow up on an earlier post. I was most happy with my top when it arrived. And I was especially pleased with the customer service. They addressed all my questions and solved them quickly. Since the first purchase, I have returned many l times to buy more and the clothing has been attractive and fun-- or I wouldn't keep coming back! Great for those of us who enjoy trends and don't want to pay a lot of money.

In addition, they have swell promotions. I'm hooked on Zaful!