Suzanne O’Connor’s Bargains LA

Welcome to the New BargainsLA.com

Yippee! After one year in development our new website is here! We hope you’ll find our new site much easier to navigate, packed with more information and easier on the eyes. A lot of time and planning went into this new site. Here’s what you need to know:

*We still personally research all Bargain Finds sources

*All Bargain Finds are cross-referenced by category, product and regional location.

*Our newest bargain discoveries are under “Latest Bargain Finds”

*Zannees Blog  includes shopping tips, frugal tips, online sales, dining deals, zannee’s tips, coupons, shopping adventures, media and more.

*We now have an on site search engine. You can search by product, store name, phone number, zip code, region or county. So search for anything.

*We have added a Forum. To be part of our bargain community and participate on the message board, you do have to register as a member.

*Like the old site, updates happen 24-7. Check back at least daily on the What’s New page and sign up on our Twitter account to get on the minute updates to your phone! twitter.com/bargainsla

*Please look around the site and get a good feel for it so you can use it to your best advantage to find great places to save money everyday. As always, your input is welcome.

*Our goal is to serve the public with current, accurate information on where the best bargains are on quality product.

From warehouse and sample sales to off price sellers and liquidators, we will research and report on where the best bargains are and always keep the public interest first.

Enjoy! … and tell a friend!

Good Service Always Pays Off

Good service always pays off.

This last weekend had me running around searching for sheet music and a book my daughter needed for Musical Theatre camp at 9am Monday morning. I totally forgot about it until the very last minute.

Saturday night I rushed into the Americana to check Barnes and Noble. I looked all around the two-story store and couldn’t find what I needed. I finally checked with a sales clerk you informed me neither was in store but I could order it. Since I needed it immediately I declined and ask for a parking validation. They wouldn’t give it to me cause I didn’t purchase anything.  What a pisser!! I told him that was terrible customer service and that I wouldn’t be back.

A trip into Borders wasted more time with no help in site and a computer system that was difficult to use. I particularly disliked the “ Probably in store” results. How about a more precise answer? My frustration must have shown cause someone eventually came up to try and help me. More time wasted.

On the drive home my brain kept coming back to the idea of customer service. If I am gonna pay full price, couldn’t they give me some basic service? If I wanted to search on a computer I could do that at home.

Next morning I head into Pasadena to go to Vromans Book store. (695 E. Colorado Blvd Pasadena, 626.449.5320)

This place was jammed with people. Plus they had plenty of … dare I say it?  Knowledgeable help. They walked you to your area to help you find what you’re looking for. The book we needed wasn’t there, but the sharp sales clerk suggested a music store down the street in Old Towne Pasadena for the sheet music. She even told us where there was free parking. Nice.

At the Old Town Music Company (42 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena 626.793.4730.)
I found another packed store with thousands of pieces of sheet music and paraphernalia for the music lover. From Musical Theatre to the classics and pop Music to folk, they had it.  They even had a bargain basement area.

Their super informed educated help went the extra distance to help me. They didn’t have what I needed in store, but went online and downloaded the sheet music for me @$8. They also can have the music adjusted to a different key if needed without any additional charge. Cool.

What a difference shopping a small independent store can make.  The big guys are not helpful, but the little guys go the distance. Service and knowledge matter, now more than ever.

I was at least able to get the music and discover some new shopping haunts. I ended up finding the book on Amazon.com and it is being sent over-night to us.

Coupon Shopping

We all know using coupons can save you money. Especially if used in conjunction with store club cards. But finding coupons for items you regularly use can be daunting. So try these tricks so you save on what you use.

Many companies have websites and newsletters that you can sign up for online. That way you’ll be included in any sale, event or coupon promo. They give out these coupons and promos to you because you have indicated to them you are already a valued consumer. So go cruise the web for your favorite brands, labels and manufacturers and get on their email list.

Check your favorite items packaging.  You’d be surprise how many coupons are printed on the inside of boxes, in the actual product or on the products packaging including those peel away coupons on the outside of products.

While shopping down the aisle of your favorite grocery store , look for the “Blinkies”. Those are the little machines in the grocery store with the flashing red lights that spit coupons out. Check to se if your favorite product is on there and if not just take the coupon for use later on. They’re manufacturer’s coupons, so they can be used anywhere.

Keep your receipts. Check the backs of them for neighborhood coupons and the print out for in store coupons. Store coupons can often be used with a manufacturer’s coupon… doubling your savings. A good way to get store coupons is by signing up for store loyalty programs.

Read Kevin’s Article on Coupons