The Shop Cop - Jennifer Litwin

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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History repeats itself.  Studies have shown that over time, people tend to make the same bad choices the second time around; whether it be in dating or marrying someone who is a dead ringer for the one you couldn’t wait to get rid of the first time around, or shopping at the same awful stores that you vowed you would never step foot in again.

I have also been in this rut.  I vowed when the stock market crashed last year that I would explore new retailers, and new ways of shopping; I’ve been surprisingly happy with the results I came up with.

GET OUT OF YOUR SHOPPING RUT

After recently shopping at Costco (and renewing my membership for a whopping $50) I realized why I signed up in the first place.  My son likes their chocolate cake.  That’s it.  That’s the only reason.  And I paid $50 for that privilege to buy that one cake, one time.

In a recent radio show I hosted with the Miserly Mom, Jonni McCoy, listeners learned why Costco isn’t the price leader for many household products we assume must be cheaper because of their massive bundled quantities.  You don’t need to be a repeat shopper.  There may be other better ways to shop.  You don’t need to pay anymore to belong to a “club”.  Save your money.

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My doctor told me recently that I have lost 20 pounds since my checkup last winter.  I couldn’t believe that I had lost so much weight; I had never tried to lose weight and I’m not much of a dieter–I guess I just haven’t had the same appetite lately.   But it dawned on me that I really haven’t eaten any fast food this past year.  In the past, with 2 kids and their hectic schedules (and mine) I would occasionally stop at the usual fast food places.  Not this last year.  After reading a recent article in Health magazine about fast food, even the “healthy” fast food options make me now understand why America isn’t losing weight.

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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).

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Home shopping expert and Random House author Jennifer Litwin announced five things consumers should consider when shopping for the holiday season. Litwin also researched name brand store credit/gift cards that achieve the biggest bang for the buck for the consumer.

“Holiday shoppers are always thinking about finishing their homes in time for the holidays, accommodating guests, and doing it all on a budget,” said Shop Cop and Random House author Jennifer Litwin.

“What consumers don’t realize when finishing their homes in time for the holidays is the varying degrees of ‘pay for play’ benefits each name brand store credit and gift card will offer when making purchases. Some holiday shoppers may spend just $100 to finish their home while others may spend $10,000; so knowing what store credit/gift cards can save them money and give them great deals can make all the difference in the world.”

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SHOPPING THIS SEASON:

1. If shopping online, look for free delivery. Many stores are offering free delivery as an incentive. Otherwise, there is typically a charge of about 10% for shipping big ticket items like furniture.
2. Beware of store credit card rebate/savings programs because most only offer a 1-2% savings on the cost of your purchases, but you will still incur financing charges, just as with a typical credit card.
3. If a price seems too good to be true, ask to see an assembly sheet to find out how difficult it will be to actually assemble the piece.
4. Buy gift cards for your loved ones that can be used both in the store and online. Many egift cards can only be used for online purchases, and then merchandise needs to be returned to a non-store location.
5. If making a lot of purchases, try to do it with a store credit card that offers good discounts for large purchases, or free, desirable gifts.

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As Featured in Money Magazine

Sweden’s IKEA is already the world’s largest furniture retailer, with $31 billion in sales in zoo7. But it’s still in growth mode this side of Stockholm, with 35 U.S. Outposts and four more planned in the next two years. It doesn’t matter how lofty your tastes: If you live near an IKEA, the store’s low-price and high-style wares will draw you in eventually, for your kid’s dorm, a basement or a second home. Once there, expect to be the target of marketing more psychologically complex than the complete works of Ingmar Bergman. Here’s how to emerge without having spent a single krona more than planned.

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