Suzanne O’Connor’s Bargains LA

FruitsAndVeggiesMoreMatters

With all the importing we do for fruits and vegetables I have become rusty on which fruits and vegetables are ripe in what season.  You can find almost anything now at anytime. But from traveling thousands of miles you have to put up with buying frozen or somewhat unripe produce.

Then I found FruitsAndVeggiesMoreMatters.org. … a complete resource for those of us that can’t remember what grandma taught us about fruits & vegetables. About the only thing I remember is that Fruits and vegetables are at their cheapest price when they are in-season. With Springtime around the corner it’s time to learn how to choose, use and get the biggest bang for our buck with fruits & veggies.

At FruitsAndVeggiesMoreMatters.org.  you can learn about vegetables, nutrition, meal planning around seasonal vegetables, buying on a budget, long term storage and more. You can even ask an expert about preparation, nutrition content. Label reading, menu and recipe advice etc.

Broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, squash, and even Rhubarb more will be come more familiar and be on our menu more often by using their planning and tasty menu guide.

Now you have no excuses.

Bargainist.com

Bargain hunting has always been in and right now getting a great deal is super hot. The new trend in 2010 is coupon use, freebies and discount codes. Looks like a lot of folks are jumping on the band wagon helping us find deals in town and on the web.

The Bargainist is a national website with coupons, discount codes and deals listed on everything from designer boots to electronics. Recent leads to online deals include a Guess boots at 40% off, a Nike Coupon, a 70% off at ShopBop, and a 25% off a $30 purchase at Pro Flowers and a Nikon Coolpix L20 camera for $90 instead of $120.

They cover a lot of goods at discount websites but they also get and post links and info on less common savings like a 20% off coupon for Kenmore kitchen appliances at the Great Indoors and a 62% savings at at the Watchery on a Movada Junior Sports Chronograph watch.

You’ll also find a section with “How to” and “Money Saving” tips. Always useful for getting the best deal.

Bookmark this one. Visit it often. It’s fun and packed full of info and savings!

BigCityDeals

In a big city like Los Angeles, there are big deals to be found everywhere. Competition is fierce amongst retailers. Importers and manufacturers abound! Services want your business!
Nice to have help finding them from Big City Deals.com.

Similar to Groupon, this free site (Big City Deals) lists specials money savings deals in Cities nationwide for just one day. Ya gotta move fast to get the deal.

Recent savings have included a 30 minute golf swing evaluation by Golf TEC in Santa Monica at $25 instead of $85. And $25 of SOS Emergency Preparedness products for only $10.

Still in it’s Beta mode (working out the kinks), Big City Deals posts BIG savings for big city dwellers like us. Actually for anyone who loves a deal.

Big City Deals is a nice new addition to money saving websites.

ServiceMagic

If you’re one of those lucky folks who just purchased a new home or need to spruce up, make repair or upgrades in your existing home for the holidays, then check out ServiceMagic.com. 

On this site, you select what kind of work or what you need in terms of contractor/ handyman services and they send you names of 3 pre-screened, qualified, insured, licensed and bonded workman you will bid on your job.

This service is free to you.


ServiceMagic has made over 12 million matches between consumers and service professionals skilled in more than 500 home related services nation wide. Plus you can read word of mouth feedback from customers who have used the service professionals.

Is it completely fool proof, no. You will have to provide an accurate description of what kind you need done. But it does help you make better choices for getting work done around your home. You make the final choice on who you use.

ServiceMagic.com also want you to follow up with them on how the work is progressing. Then, if something goes wrong, they’ll help you communicate with your service professional and even provide up to $500 of additional labor toward making the job right.

Finding qualified home improvement services and contractors just got easier.

ECrater

When rents are high, foot traffic is slow, where do retailers and small business start ups go? Ecrater.com

Ecrater.com a 100% free online marketplace and a free ecommerce website builder. Sellers receive customizable free online stores. In addition, all products get listed in their free online marketplace. So like Etsey.com, they have smaller creative start up businesses using it to get their online business going and some of these offer some outstanding deals.

Here you’ll find a wide variety of small online stores. From designer clothing to magazines, and art to antiques. Kind of like an online swap meet but better.

Some stores are tiny with great deals. One shop on ECrater I liked was My Designer Closet http://www.mydesignercloset.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=3514877

This online women’s resale boutique had a new Marc Meredith Sweater dress at just $70 instead of $160.

Another bigger store, Tillie’s Tidbits had a wide variety of women’s & men’s fashion accessories. http://tilliestidbits.ecrater.com/ Featured was a pair of Ed Hardy deck shoes for $47. And a NWT Kate Spade women’s hot pink straw purse for $125…Retail is $265.

The jewelry, vintage and collectibles sections had the most dealers listed with a full range of pricing from bargain $5 pins to pieces in the hundreds of dollars.

E Crater.com is good online site to cruise for hard to find items as well as for fun..

DiscountJungle

My hot hair iron died this week. This grooming tool had become a staple around our house and having it die created, well, an issue. Replacing it quickly was imperative.
A quick trip to the neighborhood beauty supply found several cheaper versions at $39-$59 and the professional quality ones ran $189-$225… ouch!

After some online research, I realized that buying a higher quality hot iron was a better buy in the long run, I just had to find it at a deal. I looked through several of the pricing search engines & Price Grabber etc. for the brands I was interested in. I found one of the highest rated hot irons, a T3 Tourmaline on DiscountJungle.net. The retail was $200. I got it for $94.99 and then to appease the fashionista kid I had it send 2-day air for an additional $20.

It got here super fast (within 36 hours) and so beautifully shipped that I went back to peruse the site again.

There is a lot of audio home theater and car gear here. Everything from speakers and sub woofers to LCD monitors, equalizers, alarm systems, home theater systems, phones, TV tuners, small appliances, beauty products, antennas and so much more all at 33%-65% off. Most of the discounts were in the 35%-50% range.

Judging from the impeccable service, accurate pricing and quality of the product, I’d make Discount Jungle a regular website to visit when you’re looking for car accessories, home electronics or Audio/Video products. The only caveats are a 20% restocking fee applied to returned items and California residents pay sales tax.

So do your homework first. Be sure it’s what you want and then go for it. You’ll pay a lot less at Discount Jungle.

ThisIsNotIkea

It was the catchy, Ikea diss-ing name that first got my attention. But as I cruised the site www.ThisIsNotIkea.com, I loved the retro home furnishings this indie site sold at very reasonable pricing.

Though not the lowest pricing I have ever seen, they’re definitely reasonably low and when you add in the time and gas you save from not cruising through mid century and thrift shops, the pricing is downright attractive on mid century collectibles and home furnishings.

Originally started when he realized his grandmother taste was terrific and her stuff was better made than Ikea. He decided to try to make a business out of scavenging thrift and estate sales for well-designed pieces and the reselling these neat finds on the web.

I’d start with the sales page to get additional savings of 25%-50%. A mid century folding wood chair w/ vinyl seat is $35 instead of $50. 2 nice wooden stools w/black seat are now $30 instead of $45. 4 iron patio chairs are just $30 each. Round Danish wooden big side table w/2 levels originally was $115, is now $80!

I found some terrific buys in retro patio furniture: A Retro round orange table with 4 chairs originally $335, now $200. Another patio set, table with marble top & 4 chairs originally $235, sale price $175! Both these sets would run double on La Brea Ave.

There are odd things here you might remember from your parents or grandparents place. A 50’s green kitchen stool w/2 steps was $45. And a shabby vintage iron white patio chair (so very 1970’s) was $75. I am certain I had one as a kid.

If you just like retro décor items they have plenty of trays, vases etc. I liked a mid century chrome square bread box for $35. A modern chrome (kinda Nambe-esque) wine rack at $30.

So much fun to cruise through. It’s only after you find something that you e-mail them to make an appointment to go by and pick it up. If you love 20th century design or antiques or are a thrift shop junkie, do stop in.

You’ll enjoy your visit and may end up with a treasure.

Etsy

It’s wedding, graduation, and Mothers Day gift giving season. If you’re tired of the standard faire at the mall and are looking for something completely original, than start your search at www.Esty.com.

This site carries a wide variety of handcrafted jewelry, handbags, clothing, furniture, artwork, prints, home décor items and more from independent artists, vendors and craftsman. Sort like an online arts and crafts show but with delightful extras.

You can search by description or category. Trying the time Machine is fun. It shows you the most current additions to the site and you can go backwards to re-look at them.
Most items are reasonably price and since you are buying from individuals you contact them directly.

I found a neat original Ranunculus Print by seller Tara Hogan for $30. A pair of Peruvian Opal, Rose Quartz and Sterling Silver Earrings for $24 in the Mothers Day Showcase section. I was smitten with the wall mounted Pink Polka Dot Earring Holder for $34.

The vastness of the selection here is mind boggling. But it’s so much fun to look through that you’ll find the time flying by. The pricing is very reasonable and you’re dealing direct with the artist. No mark up from reps, retailers or showrooms. So watch out you’ll be buying something unique and wonderful before ya know it.

ItalianPottery

Santa Barbara seems so close. Yet it is still 2 hours away in clear traffic. After getting a tip about a great Italian Ceramic outlet up there and 8 weeks passing by not making the trip, I thought I should check out their website.

Thankfully at their www.ItalianPottery.com you can also find savings of 25%-50 on Italian pottery. This direct importer scours the Italian countryside searching for the most interesting designs and patterns. Selling direct to the public, you can find plates, bowls pitchers and platters in dozens of designs. You’ll even find masks, hanging tiles, planters and flower pots.

An Allegria pattern serving plate retails at $97. Here it’s $54. An Allegria Garlic keeper jar is $50 instead of $90. My favorite, an old world pattern Terrazza, has floral and pomegranate design on a bright yellow background. Here the pitcher is $73 instead of $104. The Amalfi pattern has many decorative tiles, wall plaques and artwork. A tile with a Madonna and child is $7.50 instead of $11 and decorative tiles with address numbers on them were $8 each.

Everything is shipped UPS Insured, making shipping costs something to pay attention to.
All in all, with gas prices high and time valuable you can let your fingers do the shopping on the net and still save without the drive.

RefurbDepot

Finding electronics, home theater or appliances at a discount is near impossible due to manufacturer unilateral pricing polices. But there are tricks… buying floor models, last season, scratch and dent and refurbished product. The savings can be as little as 20% but more often are really steep… upwards of 80%.

www.RefurbDepot.com is an online store that sells only factory refurbished product. Here you’ll find a wide range of product from home theater to computers, scanners to telephones and anything in between.

I spotted some terrific deals here. A Samsung SP-P4251, 42” widescreen plasma HDTV is on Refurbdepot.com for $1,199.95 instead of the original list of $6,999. That’s an 80% savings! A HP Pavillion DV8113CL notebook would originally retail at $2000. But there is a refurbished one on this site at $999.A Panasonic KX-FPG376 plain paper fax is $89 instead of $220.

Most manufacturer-refurbished items will come with a warranty for 90 days to 2 years and meet original factory specs. It’s another way to save.

DesignerLinensOutlet

With the holiday season knocking at the door, many of us will be having guests stay over. Bedding may be first on your list of items to take care of. A cruise through DesignerLinensOutlet.com will yield some delicious deals on name brand and designer linens.

Bedding and linens by such well known names as Ralph Lauren, Nautica, Croscill, Liz Claiborne, Armoire Collection, Cottage Laundry, Dockers and more are here at 30%-60% off original retail pricing. You’ll find comforters, sheeting, coverlets, pillows, throws, towels, window coverings accent rugs and some home décor items.

I liked the twin sheet set by Villager Lulu for only $16.99. This 200tc, 100% cotton set would retail at over $30. If you’re into more luxurious bedding the 500tc, 100% Egyptian cotton sateen sheet set at $69.99 in all sizes was a steal when retail is over $200. If you’ve got teens the rugby patterned down comforters are a great buy at $45-$68. The Liz Claiborne cable knit bath towels at $9.99 are a fair deal. Retail would run $17.

The sites easy to cruise and with its nice selection, should be a must stop for bargain shoppers… especially if guests are on the way.

BargainOutfitters

Sleepless nights usually find me surfing the net. On one of these lunar surfing expeditions I stumbled across a site that infused me with bargain glee…. BargainOutfitters.com

This site is filled with lots of guy stuff like cameras, radios, camping supplies and government surplus items at prices that were more than reasonable if not down right bargain basement. I couldn’t pin point what got me so energetic. It probably was the deals in their Super Email Bargains like a Seth Thomas retro styled Alarm Clock for $9.97 instead of $39.99 ( 75% savings) or the portable Conair Back massager for $11.97 instead of $50. Perhaps it was the Pulsar women’s watch at $24.97 instead of $125 or the feather and down feather bed at $39 instead of $120.

As I scanned the site, the disappointment of missing the Night Owl specials from 12am-3am (CST) was overwhelming. Doesn’t 4:30 in the morning count? It was way too early for the lunchtime specials that run from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm CST, but at least, I could plan ahead. Both of these super buying times have already discounted merchandise marked down even more.

My gleefulness at this new find must have come from the ease of surfing the site along with the promise of a bargain on something I never thought I would have wanted. Like all good e-commerce sites, there is a phone number so you can call in your order or check on your orders status. I signed up for their e-mails so I wouldn’t miss any exceptional deals.
This site is more fun… and has better deals than hitting an outlet mall.

Amazon Outlet

With the holidays just around the corner and all of us trying to keep our information secure during online purchases, I thought I’d check into the outlets at a tried and true, major online store.

Amazon.com is a fairly priced website. The Amazon Outlet is an extension of the regular site with additional discounts of 10%-50% on a variety of items usually found on their site. This outlet section includes deals from the independent sellers that Amazon partners up with.

There is a ton of product here, from computers (both new and refurbished) to sundries, bedding, toys, electronics, books, apparel and so much more. If you shop Amazon, you’ll want to start your bargain search here.

A quick cruise around the site yielded deals in every section. I found a Phillips DVD recorder for $200 instead of $399. A Panasonic 5.8 Ghz cordless phone was well priced at $54. An Audiovox portable personal video recorder w/ 2.5 LCD was $74.99 instead of $219.

The apparel section was quite large with dozens of name and designer labels. A bit of something for anyone (guys and girls) from plus size to infant. The bedding section had a good selection of higher end bedding. No poly junk here. The toy section was huge and you can browse by age appropriate toys. Books and music were overflowing with choices. This on line outlet is huge!

With all the goodies available, you may never leave your home to shop again. Simply put…lots of tempting deals

Half

Sometimes when I am scanning the web, I may overlook the obvious. I was reminding of the obvious by an intrepid internet shopper this last month who pointed out www.Half.com and when I went back to look it over…. Well I loved the deals.

Half.com is an online market place, like Ebay where buyers and sellers come together. This isn’t an auction, prices are fixed, but the discounts on retail can range from 25%-70% off with most products hovering around 50% off.

Unlike Ebay, you can’t find anything and everything here. Half.com is limited to books, music, movies, video games and game systems. There is more than enough to look through in each category in both new and used. Besides the description and price they also rate the item for quality. But, like Ebay, Half.com is easy to navigate and straight forward to purchase or sell.

With back to school on my mind, I looked through the Textbooks superstore section. Here I compared a bunch of “Biology” (Hardcover, 2004) by Jane Reece and Neil Campbell. The Range of quality went from Acceptable to Brand New and the prices went from $64-$156 with the highest prices being in the acceptable range.

I also priced some X Box game system and found prices ranging from $75-$240. Some new, some refurbished all well described and a few with games.

Half.com is a useful source both for comparison shopping, evaluating market pricing and getting great deals. Start you hunt here and you may nab your best deal on your first visit.

Estate Sales

Savvy bargain shoppers can get real deals on estate furnishings, collectibles and artwork at Estate Sales. Estate sales are where the dealers shop to find inventory for their antique shops. Outside of cruising through local papers for listings, where can people go to get information? Try Estate Sales LA sales calendar www.estatesalesla.com

Here they list the Estate sales they will be conducting in the Los Angeles area along with a brief description of inventory offered. They don’t list pricing, so it’s up to you to decide when you get there to what’s offered up for sale is a reasonable deal. Like all bargain hunting … do your homework.

Another source on the internet to try for estate sales and garage sales is Craig’s List garage sales page http://losangeles.craigslist.org/gms/. Craig’s List has pages for cities nationwide so you can even help Aunt Edna find a garage sale near her home in Milwaukee.