A Friendly Printer Makes Me Happy

If you are in the market for a new printer... go directly to BestBuy and get the Hewlett-Packard Photosmart All-in-One Wireless Printer/Copier/Scanner Model #C4795. This model is exclusive to BestBuy and is being offered at $129.99. Besides the cute touch screen and (semi) wireless appeal... the sleek black and chocolate brown shell... the customer service set up was just short of IMPECCABLE that I received when setting up my additional computer! I had called the HP customer service with little confidence and was shockingly surprised at the amount of helpful information I received from my customer service rep, Anne. Anne, whom I was speaking to up in Toronto... was a bevy of information regarding my new printer, my old printer, the new Leopard operating system on Macs, (should I be buying a new computer anytime soon) and on and on and on. The most helpful piece of information that Anne was able to supply me with was in regards to my unused printer cartridges from my old printer. She told me I can write a letter to the HP headquarters explaining how many unopened cartridges I have and what the new cartridge is for the C4795. If all goes according to plan... they will send me the paperwork and packaging materials to do a swap out for what my new printer needs! Amazing! Stay tuned to see if this is actually successful.

Nevertheless, I love the new printer... Anne was fab and I am eagerly awaiting the replacement ink cartridges!

A little of this, A little of that... Oh and BOOOO!

Not much shopping these days, but a few purchases here and there... some personal shopping (free of charge) I thought I would share...

I recently purchased a very cute canvas tote for my girlfriends to use on our trip to Napa... the website is www.tossdesigns.com. The totes I wanted were sold out online so I emailed the customer service people and they had stock in their one shop so were able to ship me what I needed. Perfect and seamless customer service and the bags were exactly what I had seen, wanted and the for the price: $22.00! Love them and so did the girls!

EBay purchase of a pair of HUNTER boots proved successful... I wanted the HUNTER shorty boots but did not want to pay retail right now... EBay purchase

at half price and free shipping direct from the UK... I win! Details if you want the seller info. Still love the website when I need something just like wellies!

When a friend's mom came to visit from out of town and wanted to shop... they called me... she wanted to shop for shoes! (What's that music playing in my ears?? No problem, I'm your girl!) I knew what that we were not shopping high end and that we were not looking for just any deal out there. There was a purpose and there was satisfaction going to have to be guaranteed. Who cares where we went exactly... the point is that mom went home with a pair of UGG slipper/shoes that she can wear to walk the dogs, as slippers and possibly to work if need be in Lancaster, PA. She was thrilled! Under $65.00 because I found her the kid size and she did not have to pay tax since it was under $100.00. I'm good! She was elated!

Without telling you which Halloween costume I bought, this maybe a good website to keep on file for costumes and party ideas... www.prankplace.com

Happy leaf peeping!

Make Up For NEVER

About a month ago, my great friend Jenny and I were on a killer NYC stroll after our Fashion Week duties. Jenny had spoken highly of this cosmetic brand that a make up artist she worked with had sworn by. We paid a visit to the retail store in the West Village on our stroll. Before I expose the name and my distaste, let's discuss (from a women's point of view) what one expects when they are shopping for make up and/or shopping at all in terms of customer service.

1. Is it too much to ask for a greeting when I enter the store? 2. Is it also too much to ask for you to get up from behind the wrap desk to greet me? 3. Further "Is there anything that I am looking for?"

So here we go... Jenny and I walk into MAKE UP FOR EVER... a meek greeting of a glance and a 'hi'. I think we give her the impression that we are just looking, however I was in the market for a new mascara. Long story short, she shows me where the mascara selection is, but can only point out one mascara that is the 'best seller'. That is about the end of the customer service. I ask if I can test it and she says yes. At most make up counters there is someone there to apply the make up for you and speak to you about the product. I had to find my own application brush and when asked her if I could purchase it, she told me they were sold out. We left.

So... MAKE UP FOR NEVER is more like it! Bad customer service in this day and economic time? Really?

OBSESSION CONTINUED... SHARPIE ME!

If you have not read some of my previous posts, you may not be familiar with my obsession with personalization. If I can buy this, that or the other thing with an initial, a monogram or date on it... I will! I blame this obsession of mine on growing up with a unique name that never seem to appear on the personalized pencil rack or personalized ruled stand at the card store when I was in middle school. If I had a more common name like Jane or Kim, maybe I would be less compelled to purchase every item I see with the option to print my name, initial or monogram on it... you should have seen my wedding!

To add to my collection of necklaces, bracelets, picture frames, napkins, towel hooks, duvet covers, photo albums, totes, handbags, stationary, mugs, pint glasses, framed art, throw pillows, coasters, toiletry and cosmetic bags, t-shirts... I mean really???? Now there is the PERSONALIZED SHARPIE!!!! I am not sure about you, but I carry a Sharpie with me mostly everywhere I go. I am not sure why exactly, but it comes in handy at the most unusual times. Maybe I have a certain Terrell Owens thing going on, but I carry a Sharpie. So behold the personalized Sharpie! Pick a color- pick a font- pick an icon if you so desire- and then pick your message! Put your name, your initials... or "THIS SHARPIE BELONGS TO...". The going price is $11.99 for 6 personalized Sharpies. You can order more if you would like and there are 8 color options. Come on now... what other kind of marker do you use and why not make it your own? It is back to school season and all!

Betsey Johnson is currently sponsoring a Sharpie booth under the tents at 2010 Fashion Week here in NYC this week as well! You get a cute tote and t-shirt to Sharpie all over with your own designs and maybe ever bump shoulders with Betsey herself! Not for nothing... there is also a retractable Sharpie on the market... who would have thought?

So who wants my John Hancock? or my TO?

IT'S OK TO TAKE A NIGHT OUT!

Ok, so I have been M.I.A. for most of the summer, but honestly I have been searching for something... anything worthy of noting and there has been little that has impressed me in the past few weeks. So, here we are... BACK TO SCHOOL and the FALL 2009 season is upon us. Additionally, if you have not heard... Spring 2010 Fashion Week begins this week as well. With the arrival of SP2010 something BIG is upon us. HUGE one might say!

Ladies and Lads... this Thursday night is the first ever FASHION NIGHT OUT 2009!!!!! Let me explain what it is and then what it means for all of you in and out of the great city of New York. This is actually a global celebration of monumental proportions! More directly it is a "global initiative to promote retail, restore consumer confidence, and celebrate fashion, U.S. and international editions of Vogue are coordinating evening extravaganzas in their respective world fashion capitals" as described by the dedicated website itself. In my world, who really needs another excuse to go shopping??? But this is really great! I have always promoted the concept of supporting the local economy since the rebuilding of lower Manhattan after September 11th, 2001. This is really the essence of support that we need right now, more than ever!

With that being said... let the shopping begin! So here in the city the shopping events are plenty and endless. We will be able to shop until 11pm at most boutiques and department stores with plenty of discounts, cocktails and specials guests! The FNO website can provide details and a handy itinerary tool to plan your evening according to your own liking.

So if you are not in the city this Thursday night, I am sorry you are going to miss this tremendous event. I would however encourage you to make plans with your favorite shopping buddy and head out to your local mall and/or boutique to support your local economy... and tell them I sent you!

What would and event like this be without a t-shirt and a good cause? There are FNO09 T-shirts available for purchase at some of the participating stores and maybe available at some of those online stores as well. Proceeds from the t-shirt sales go to National September 11 Memorial & Museum. This weekend there is also going to be a clothing drive to support the NYC AIDS Fund that will distribute the collections to over 17 different AIDS charities around NYC. There was such an overwhelming response to the volunteer request, that they don't seem to need my help. I will however be able to donate... and so can you!

So go shopping wherever you are! This is a long time passion of mine and now for so many great causes!

Because we do need a little Christmas...

And we need it right this very minute! Or so the retailers are going to tell us this week. Per this article... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31967206/ns/business-retail/ regarding Christmas in July!

So I have been absent from my blog for a bit of time because it is the second half of the year when sales are at the height of their game. From an apparel and accessories arena, spring and summer clearance is upon us and it is never a pretty time of year to be shopping. I often grapple with purchases during this time of year in particular. More so than post (true) holiday season for some reason. Shopping the summer sales always raise the question of "do I really need this just because it is a good deal?" Far too often I look into my closet and find that I have tank dresses, shorts, t-shirts and the like still with tags on them. I can always say what a great deal, but then what? So the concept of buying just because it's on sale has always been a struggle for me. I mean... I have always heard or seen the word SALE and my spirits are immediately lifted! Who does not love a deal? Especially in today's world?

So here we are... 160 shopping days from the big kahuna of holidays and just 5 days from the summer version. Retailers are going to try and get us shopping anyway they can. Before we even discuss the back to school deals, we are going to be seeing more of the 'Christmas in July' promotions. Clever! Kind of... I mean I never need a reason to go shopping, but I am concerned that this may turn some customers off. Consider everything people have going on in their lives and when they have to begin thinking about the holiday season six months out and spending money this early... who knows how this will play out. I am eager to see who will try this concept and how it will effect effect their businesses... if at all.

Take some time this week to deck the halls and consider some holiday shopping in an effort to get a head start on your gift giving, score some deals and bring a little cheer to an otherwise normal week of summer!

To West Helm... and Back FOLLOW UP- and back AGAIN!

So here we are.... June 2nd, 2009. So the schedule should goes we are slotted to have the "storage drawers" for our "storage bed" from West Helm this month. Much to my surprise, on Monday, May 18th I received a phone call from West helm that the storage drawers had become available if I wanted to come into the store and purchase them or call them to order them over the phone. So on Tuesday, May 19th I called the store to place the order (while waiting at home for another tragic customer service issue to be resolved for another piece of furniture... too many details to provide on that story) and here's how this went down...

My new friend at West Helm is  now Mike (not sure where Mary is). Mike was able to order the drawers for me, as I needed two sets BUT would not be able to use the $100.00 gift card they sent me because I would need to be present to redeem this gift card in the store at the time of purchase. What? You sent me the gift card in the mail. It has a number. Redeem it over the phone. No? Anyway, Mike then asked if I was going to need to schedule the installation of these drawers to which I had confirmed that I was told this would cost $35.00 and that we were interested in scheduling this once we picked the drawers up. Mike then informed me that there was an additional $120.00 to the $35.00 for blah! blah! blah! I declined the installation. Ok then he tells me that the drawers are no longer listed at the sale price that we were quoted when we bought the bed. I calmly told him that my previous friend, Mary at his lovely store had promised us the sale price given the circumstances. He decided this sounded familiar and that he would give me the sale price. Ok, fine. Transaction completed. They would call me on Friday, May 22nd when the drawers came to let us know when we could pick them up. 

Cut to 10 minutes later. The phone rings with the caller ID reading West Helm's name. It's my friend Mike. Mike tells me they will not have a truck on Friday, May 22nd due to the Holiday and the next shipment will not be until the following Tuesday, May 26th. Ok, fine. Speak to you next week.

Cut to Thursday, May 21st. The phone rings again... West Helm, Mike, no trucks making deliveries on Tuesday, May 26th. "His Bad!" The next truck will be Thursday, May 28th. Ok, sounds good. Call me when they come in! 

Cut to Thursday, May 28th. Voicemail from West Helm that my drawers are in! Yeah! Great Success! Really? Not so much.

Cut to Friday, May 29th. Voicemail from my friend Mike at West Helm telling me that "His Bad" again. He only ordered one set of the drawers and that he is very sorry for the delay, but he will get the other set of drawers to us by Tuesday, June 2nd... today. There was another voicemail when we got home tonight from a new friend at West Helm, but I did not catch his name. My patience and energy is wearing thin on this place. 

My husband and I picked up the first set of drawers last Saturday morning since we were going to have to make two trips to the store anyway, but still... I mean, really? First of all what happen to the intense commitment I had gotten from my first friend Mary? She seemed pretty hell bent on helping us out and I have not heard from her since the middle of April. Ok, whatever, now I have my friend Mike and now he is not even reputable. I just can't believe stores like this continue to stay in business. I remained extremely calm, cool and collected throughout this entire process (which is rare for me in cases that involve such extreme customer service issues), but this is really unparalleled. For the love of God I hope we have no quality issues with this bed. I will be beside myself if I have to deal with all of these new friends of mine again. 

Not to mention... I now have two $100 gift cards to use at West Helm... I barely want to say the store's name these days. let alone go shopping in the place. 

So to West Helm... and back... and back again!!! There has to be a better June shopping experience coming my way!