The Shop Cop - Jennifer Litwin

WHAT KIND OF STATEMENT ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE WITH YOUR NEW HOME?  DOES YOUR HOME TRULY REFLECT YOUR OWN TASTE, OR SOMEONE ELSE’S?

Through all uncertainties of the real estate market and the economy you might say that home decor has changed for most homeowners.  Stodgy, impractical and stuffy furniture of the 70′s and 80′s, the look of our parents’ generation, has given way to more functional, comfortable and affordable fashions.   Picking up the basics at places like Costco and fashionable, urban, flea markets, have become the norm.

MY FAVORITE FREE RESOURCES  TO HELP  GET IDEAS ABOUT FURNISHING YOUR HOUSE EXACTLY TO YOUR LIKING

MAGAZINES

1. Dwell ( ideas for a more efficient house, soup to nuts)



2. Reader’s Digest (decluttering ideas–fresh and new ideas that will make your life a lot easier)
3. Oprah Home (multiple choices displayed for every piece of furniture you will need)
4. Martha Stewart Home (smart, fashionable choices for each room in your house)

WEBSITES/BLOGS

1. Homeportfolio.com (lists thousands of choices of products and design ideas, and links to the sites where you can buy them–saves huge amount of time)
2. Lesliehindman.com (great Chicago-based auction house that offers monthly auction in a wide variety of styles, periods and prices–take advantage of the great auction prices right now)
3. Designspongeonline.com (perfect place to get ideas that are well thought out and executed-no need to hire a designer if you go to this site–artistic, creative, easy to use and fun!)
4. Decor8blog.com (special finds and secrets from around the world, for all the little details of your house, with links to the nation’s best stores, all in one site)
5. Freshome.com (displays latest design and function characteristics for every piece of furniture you buy)
6. Trendir.com (the latest in materials, colors, textiles, trim)
7. Homedesignfind.com (beautiful layouts of entire room designs–great place for room design ideas)

MY SUMMER SPENT TRAVELING, ON THE REQUEST OF MY KIDS

Because I’ve spent the past many years traveling for work, I haven’t had much time or desire for leisurely travel.  And traveling with little kids wasn’t always the easiest.  But this past summer was different.  My son, Edward, told me last year that he wanted to travel, to see the world.  Planning the trips wasn’t easy, as I wasn’t sure which hotels to stay in, which places offered the best values, and best times and ways to book our trips.

RECENT TRIP TO THE REGENCY HOTEL IN NY WAS AN EYE OPENER

My brother and sister-in-law recently took my nephew, Justin, to NY for a weekend.  They were so proud of the amazing rate they were able to get through Orbitz.  For somewhere in the low $200′s, they were able to get a room at one of my favorite hotels, the Loew’s Regency in NY.  I couldn’t believe the rate–a rate that I hadn’t been able to secure in years, since right after 9/11.

THE ARTIFICIALLY LOW HOTEL RATE QUOTED BY ORBITZ

Orbitz said in fine print that upgrades may be available upon arrival, but that they couldn’t guarantee the room you get when you book through them.  Unfortunately, when my brother, sister-in-law and nephew got to the famed Regency Hotel, they discovered they would be sleeping in a room with 2 twin beds—something unacceptable for the 3 of them.  So they went to the front desk, spoke with a reservations clerk and were able to upgrade to a room with 2 doubles—for an extra $100, of course.

PROBLEMS WITH ORBITZ, EXPEDIA, PRICELINE AND OTHER ONLINE TRAVEL COMPANIES

We’ve all had the same complaints when booking trips with the online travel companies, as Consumer Affairs reports:

1) The rate you are promised promises you nothing—wait til you see your room.  No online or in-person guarantees of a room type or that your view won’t be the parking lot!

2) When you need to change your travel plans, good luck finding someone who picks up the phone to help you.

3) Changing your travel plans will require you to spend a hefty change fee, with no added benefits.

4) With online travel agencies you won’t usually be allowed to take advantage of all the freebies, miles, rewards and other ways the travel industry is extending to nearly every human being on Earth right now.

5) Travel websites are hard to use and are inefficient when you need to change your plans.

CONSIDER USING A WORLD-CLASS TRAVEL AGENT

I recently asked my friend, Erin, how she always plans the best trips, and how she keeps her kids so happy on vacation, even when traveling great distances.  Erin was excited to share her little travel secret with me.  As Erin travels all over the world to spend time with her husband and children, as her husband travels a lot for work, she has found that having the right travel agent is key to happy travels.  Erin referred me Paul Klein Travel, in Chicago, a corporate travel agency, where I turned over my business and headaches.  Through using Paul Klein Travel, I have been able to secure the best seats, best rooms, best hotels, best upgrades and packages, and yes, best prices.  I have tried to comparison shop the trips I have taken using Paul Klein, in almost 100% of the cases, Paul Klein Travel has beat everyone.

CORPORATE TRAVEL AGENTS’ VOLUME BUSINESS GOOD NEWS FOR VACATIONING FAMILIES

The beauty of traveling with a corporate travel agency is that you can book great vacations at well-known hotel chains and resorts, and take advantage of the corporate travel agency’s great rates.  Paul Klein, as it turns out, is one of only 80 travel agencies that “partners” with hotel chains like the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton, among many other great chains–chains that are often expensive and have little in the way of a rewards program.  Through Paul Klein, we were able to stay in some great spots and take advantage of the opportunities to see different places we may not otherwise know about.

BENEFITS OF USING A CORPORATE TRAVEL AGENT–WHAT YOU SHOULD ASK FOR

1) Alerts if prices drop or are about to go up so you can secure the best air/hotel packages

2) Resort credits that average between $100-300 per trip—credits that may include meals or spa packages; even high tea and room service breakfasts—free with your travel agent relationship.

3) Instant phone calls made to the manager of a hotel to request a room change or upgrade on your behalf–something you may not be able to secure on your own.

Recently, I did a segment for Twin Cities Live about melting your gold and selling it because you could get more money for gold than a few years ago. Recessions work that way. Gold holds its value during a recession. But someone whose parent had recently died asked me if now was also a good time to sell an old wedding band, made up of several diamonds.  Her jeweler suggested making an eternity ring, or using the small diamonds to make something for her daughters.

BAD NEWS: PRICES FOR DIAMONDS IN 2010 HAVE GONE UP

If you own diamonds and want to sell them right now the good news is you will be able to sell them for a little more than you could have in 2009, by about 5%.  The reason is because manufacturers of diamonds are slowing production of their supply, which is causing prices to go up.  It is unclear how long this upward trend will continue, but since January prices have been going up a little each month.

SHOULD YOU BUY DIAMONDS NOW?

There is no question that in the past three years diamond prices plummeted 30%.  That is the question of the day.  The diamond industry now has a set price marker, called the IDEX.  This pricing index should be a good judge of what a diamond should sell for.

FIND OUT THE VALUE OF THE DIAMONDS

1. Go to your local jeweler for an appraisal
2. Compare venues across the board to see where you may be able to get the highest price (auction, jeweler, web)
3. Consider buying inexpensive little diamond(s) and turning them into something else for your children.  The prices have not gone up steadily for a few years, and you may want to hold out.

OUR LOVE OF PERFUME

I just realized that my most favorite perfume I’ve worn over the past several years no longer smells appealing to me.  It seems to smell different from the way I remember it.  But I just don’t want to make a mistake by throwing it out (I hate to throw out sentimental possessions) and buying a $60-75 bottle of perfume that I will not like after wearing for the first time.   The $30 billion a year perfume industry just seems to grow annually, even during a recession.  Since antiquity, with its creation in Egypt, women have made perfume a part of their daily rituals.  Perfume is popular because it can heighten our senses in a way nothing else can accomplish.  Our familiar scents can be associated with comfort, closeness and intense passion.  The perfume industry is highly secretive, with little known facts as to how perfume is made or what makes some perfumes astronomically expensive.

PERFUME SCENTS ARE SHORT-LIVED

Perfumes can last for, on average, five years.  You need to keep perfumes stored in a dry, dark and cool, but not cold, place.  Sunlight and heat can alter the smell.  If you see any brown thickening, the perfume is going bad.  But don’t get rid of your perfumes until you really notice their smells changing.  As we get older, our sense of smell changes, so recognize that your own sense of smell can make the perfume’s scent change over time.  Once you open a perfume bottle, it starts to “age.”

On your body, smell will last longer if your body is moisturized.  If your skin is dry, the perfume’s smell will evaporate more quickly.  A fact I didn’t realize–I thought the opposite was true.  Applying perfume lower on your body will make the smell last longer than closer to the face, where the smell is likely to rise and go away.  Blondes seem to not have as much luck as brunettes when it comes to lingering smell on their bodies.  Blondes do better with floral perfumes that keep their smell longer than other kinds of fragrances.

Citrus scents last the least amount of time, though popular, because citrus perfumes are made from some fresh ingredients.  For men, after shave has the least amount of oils, and therefore evaporates the quickest of all fragrances.  Age is also a factor in determining how a scent will last on your body.

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SHOPPING FOR APPLIANCES FOR A NEW HOME?  DON’T MAKE THE MISTAKE OF BELIEVING THAT ONLY THE IMPORTED APPLIANCES ARE THE BEST

We all want to know we’ve made the right buying decisions on everything we buy; especially on big ticket items for the home.  While you are shopping for the major appliances; washers/dryers, dishwashers, etc., make sure you really do your research and talk to people who have recently shopped for the same appliances.  Just because you bought your last appliance at a store doesn’t mean you should buy your new appliances at the same store, especially if you now have a big house you need to fill with appliances. Now may be the time to do your own research instead of relying on your salesperson.

APPLIANCE SALESPEOPLE TEND TO PUSH PRODUCTS THAT WILL MAKE THEIR STORE AND/OR THEM THE MOST MONEY

This is true.  Many products are sold at only the retail price, as I was told Miele and Bosch adhere to.  On these more “high-end” products you will be forced to pay retail and may only get discounts on shipping or installation.  Consumers often feel safer with products they don’t have to negotiate for–retail pricing diminishes the fear associated with bargaining, or with discovering you may have paid the wrong price.

WHY I CHOSE 2 MIELE DISHWASHERS

After spending more than 20 years shopping for appliances at Abt Electronics in Chicago, I moved into my current home in Chicago, and spent the next several years living with my 15-year old appliances.  They actually worked really well, so I decided not to switch them out.  We had more expensive, important projects that needed more immediate attention.  During the few years that he used our old washing machine and dishwasher, except for the loud noises, the appliances washed thoroughly and with little problem.

Eventually the old Maytag dishwasher and washing machine died.  I began to look for newer, more state-of-the-art appliances.  Every store I went to I was hearing about Miele and Bosch.  I decided on a Miele dishwasher and Bosch washing machine, just to switch things up.

MY FIRST MIELE DISHWASHER LASTED ONLY 5 YEARS

Miele was a no-brainer for me in making my selection for the dishwasher.  Miele offered a virtually silent wash and had a great utensil drawer.  The best part was that my salesman told me I wouldn’t need much detergent or water to get the dishes extremely clean, and that the hot water would sanitize my dishes.  That part I loved.  However, about a year into owning the machine, I began having problems.  Problems that included my dishes not get particularly clean, and repairmen telling me that I need to greatly reduce the amount of detergent and frequently clean out the arm.  Cleaning out the arm was virtually impossible to do, because you couldn’t open it.  Other than trying to clean it out with a knife, and under water, I couldn’t do anything really besides calling the repairman to come over and try to fix it.

What I have noticed with both Miele and Bosch is that when they work, they work beautifully.  They are both quiet, the water gets really hot and the dishes come out sparkling.  But that is only about 2/10 times.  The rest of the time I can’t seem to get it right.

The first Miele ultimately broke down, and I was told I would need to replace it…after only 5 years.  Yes, you’d think with all the problems I had with the Miele I would switch back to Maytag, or to some other old-standing, reputable company.  But no, I was again led to believe that Miele was the way to go.  So again, I had a beautiful new stainless dishwasher installed.  This time, I was told I was getting the top of the line…the Advanta.

MY SECOND MIELE DISHWASHER DISASTER

That was 3 years ago.  But today, I am still having the same problems that my first Miele posed.  The dishes are not consistently getting clean; not even close.  And if I want to run a big load I actually have to break the load into smaller loads, or else the dishes won’t get clean.

MIELE HAS PERSUASIVELY TRAINED ELECTRONIC STORE SERVICE PEOPLE  THE CONSUMER TO TELL THE CUSTOMER THAT THEY ARE THE ONES WHO SHOULD KNOW HOW TO FIX THEIR MACHINES, AND TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE RECURRING MIELE PROBLEMS AND THEMES

Though I have continually battled the same service issues, Abt has promised me that the manufacturer will come out to inspect the unit.  That visit has yet to happen.  If you buy Miele and Bosch, the warranty period is so short that by the time you realize you are having a problem your warranty has run out.

THE BOSCH WASHING MACHINE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE MIELE

The washing machine story is virtually the same as with the Miele dishwasher.  When I bought my Bosch, the washing machine was newly introduced into the US.  The Bosch cost about 50% more than the US brands, but I was told again that the Bosch will run extremely quietly and require very little water and detergent to clean my clothes.

WHY THE LITTLE WATER/LITTLE WATER THEORY BY BOSCH DOESN’T WORK, IN REALITY

I have had problems for the past several years with my Bosch.  With as little water as the unit uses, the washer never seems to drain all the way.   So by the time I get to the clothes they are soaking wet.  Abt repairmen have told me that the reason why this happens is because I need to run a temperature boost cycle several times, and add bleach, or vinegar, to make sure the clothes get clean; of course, when the washer is empty, thereby using more water.  I don’t get it.

MY NEW BOSCH MOTOR HASN’T CORRECTED THE RINSE CYCLE PROBLEM

After having the service man out several times, over many years, Abt said that Bosch would replace the motor.  Finally, a new motor.  What a great idea.  But the new motor hasn’t fixed the problems.  After my last service call, I was instructed again to use only HE (high efficiency) detergent.  But I had been using Tide HE for years.  So we are back to square one, and Bosch isn’t doing anything about it.  I have been told that the unit needs to be replaced, yet again.

Watch Twin Cities Live on ABC in Minneapolis where I talk about the best and worst in holiday gift returns this year. Many new return policies this year. Some stores are more lenient, while others are making their return policies more vague. If you need to make returns you won’t want to miss this show

This holiday season has been the first in years to have decent return policies across the board—well almost. If you’ve been wondering how long you have to return your holiday presents, policies have changed somewhat this year—more favorable to customers.

In an aggressive bid to win loyal shoppers, stores have pulled all the stops when it comes to returns this season.

BIGGEST TRENDS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

1. Vague return policies—need to really read the policy carefully, and even then, you may be missing some of the facts (Ex: Target and Victoria’s Secret).
2. Returns at store/department manager’s discretion: this policy hasn’t been in place for more than a decade
3. Receipts not crucial in many stores (Target, Macy’s)
4. Extended time for returns; now 90-120 (Target- 90 days) days instead of 14-30, with the exception of electronics/games (14 days the norm, and restocking fees after that)
5. Stores are not locking into return policies—Policies are changing all the time—even after the holidays, allowing flexibility for the stores; a wait and see approach. Good and bad.
6. Tracking the number of returns—Wal-Mart, Target—could hurt your chances for a refund.

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As featured on ABC7 Chicago.

Many of us think that the really good deals on our favorite items come after a holiday is over. But according to the National Retail Federation, the time leading right up to the holidays is when you can get the very best discounts…retailers want to create sales to generate revenue, and use targeted marketing campaigns to lure in shoppers. Many of us think, for example, the price of jewelry must go up before Valentine’s Day, but it’s just the opposite.

APPLIANCES/ELECTRONICS

Best time of year to get deepest discounts on electronics and appliances is when models change over—typically, every 6 months. When models change over you can get floor models deeply discounted or promotional pricing on new items. In July, big sales in refrigerators—more rebates, because more heat breaks down refrigeration that month. Save money year-round on energy-saving appliances that cut down on utility bills. Typically, in February, March and November there are promotions. But best day for discounts on electronics is the day after Thanksgiving.

MAKEUP/COSMETICS

For bargains, don’t shop department stores, except during the holiday season when packaging gets dated quickly. The specialty boutiques offer substantial discounts on discontinued products, particularly in July, when new colors introduced, but great time to look for the classics. Specialty stores (Ulta and Sephora) offer rewards programs for free makeup. You can save you a lot if you spend more than $50 on makeup.

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As featured on ABC7 Chicago.

While you are resting up from the holiday festivities, you need to start thinking about how and when you will return those unwanted gifts. We’ve all received them. According to the NRF, 80% of all retailers are keeping their return policies from last year, but there are some important changes happening you need to know about when returning gifts or using those gift cards.

TRENDS IN RETURNS

RETAIL STORES:

Good news: Between this year and last year retailers have become more flexible, allowing you with items purchased online to return items directly to the stores. Gift returns are down because more than 75% of the population is giving gift cards. Most retail stores are being more lenient about expiration dates, and eliminating them.

Bad news:

1. The store return lines may be a little long
2. If you try to return your gift without a gift receipt you may not get to return or will only get a portion back
3. Same goes for packaging-keep original packaging, and don’t open anything or else you may only get back 50% in some cases (Amazon and the electronics stores–$16 b in retail losses for one-time users, so very strict this year). Continue reading »