Now, I'm not a power shopper by any stretch. I start to get seriously antsy after about 3 or 4 hours. If I'm shopping all day, I'm not going to be very happy when I get home. I think it's because I get buyer's angst: should I buy this? Should I not buy this? What if I get home and don't like it? Etc. It can get crazy sometimes, let me tell you.
But on Saturday, the hubby and I decided to visit a place that's practically in our backyard: the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama. If you've ever lost your luggage while flying, I seriously hope you got it back again. But if you didn't, then all your stuff probably ended up here. The UBC can be a thrift shopper's paradise. The stuff they have here is unbelievable! It's not just luggage that gets lost, but also cargo. So sometimes there'll be twenty espresso machines or a dozen oriental carpets. In fact, there was a huge Turkish rug on the wall this weekend for $1899. It was gigantic, and completely hand-knotted.
But I digress. *g*
What else did they have? Ipods, iPhones, iPads, Sony Readers, 2nd generation Kindles ($75), laptops, cameras, DVDs, books, shoes, clothes, belts, handbags, jewelry -- well, I could keep going, but you get the idea. My husband isn't the happiest shopper in the world, but he handled this like a trooper. By the time we left 3 hours later, we had a bag full of clothing (some with the tags still on!) for $150. I don't always find things when I go to the UBC, but this time I was happy.
My best find was a 100% Cashmere sweater, with the tags, for $40. The retail ticket said $90. That was also the most expensive thing I bought. Everything else was well under $20 each. Hubby found a pair of jeans for $4.
Quite possibly the best deal I've ever known someone personally to get was a pair of Christian Louboutin boots that retailed for $1200 -- my friend paid $150. Another friend found some Stuart Weitzman heels once for about $20. The last time I went, I got a great pair of Steve Madden suede pumps for $30 (retail was over $100).
This time, it was the cashmere sweater that made me happy. I'm almost looking forward to colder weather so I can wear it. Almost. If you'd like to visit the Unclaimed Baggage Center, you can read more about it here.
And now I have a bargain for you! If you're in North America, my April book, The Devil's Heart, is available right now on Kindle for $1.60! That's ONE DOLLAR SIXTY CENTS! You really can't get a better deal on a powerful, sexy story with a hot Argentinian hero, a determined heroine, and a priceless jewel they both claim ownership of. I don't know how long the deal will last, but it's there right now. :)
So, have you gotten any bargains lately? Have any great bargain hunting tales to tell? I keep hoping I'll be that person who buys something really cool in a second hand shop -- and then finds out it's a priceless original instead of the fake I thought it was. :)
Lynn Raye Harris is a USA Today bestselling author who writes powerful, sexy romance for Harlequin Presents. You can learn more about Lynn and her books at http://www.lynnrayeharris.com/. You can also follow Lynn on Twitter @LynnRayeHarris or visit her author page on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnRayeHarris
14 comments:
Hi Lynn,
I have read 'The Devil's Heart' and absolutely loved it. I couldn't put it down. It was so captivating especially since it had a reconciliation plot line which is one of my favorites.
As for bargains, i love them - who doesn't..lol. I don't go looking for them but if i do get a bargain especially on shoes, it makes the whole day feel so much more brighter. It makes my day.
I love a bargain, especially on food. I know it's not exciting, but it means more money for other things.
Hi Lynn,
SO glad you found these bargains. I wish we had places like these in our country.
Devil's Heart was one very different HM&B Presents as it started for the first time with the heroine pointing a gun at the hero!
I loved it!
Hi, Sonali! Thank you so much for your kind words about The Devil's Heart! I'm with you on shoe bargains! When I go to the big designer shoe store here locally, I always head for the sale racks. Just a couple of weeks ago, I got a great pair of sequined Steve Madden's for $40.
Hi, Marybelle! Oh, I very much agree with you on food bargains! A buck saved in one place is a buck to spend somewhere else. That's why I love Costco, LOL.
Hi, Nas! Thank you for your lovely words about The Devil's Heart! You and Sonali are making my day. :) I'm sorry you don't have a bargain shopping place where you live -- but I might trade the bargain shopping to live in Fiji, lucky lady! :)
I want to go, I want to go, I want to go.........
That place looks fabulous, if only Scotland wasn't so far away....
Sorry, Scarlet! I heard about UBC before I moved to Alabama. It was one of the first places I wanted to go!
Hi Lynn,
I love a bargain! We have a lot of stores in Australia that discount stuff but it's not always great merchandise. I love the stocktaking sales in the bigger department stores.
The Devil's Heart sounds intriguing! Will have to add it to my list.
Hi, Melanie! I'm so glad to hear you love a bargain too! I love big sales in the department stores as well. Thanks for adding The Devil's Heart! I have One Last Night on my TBR. Can't wait to get to it!
Hi Lynn,
Sorry I'm late to this post, but life's been hectic. I've got to Unclaimed Baggage. I'm sure of it now. LOL!
So cool The Devil's Heart is on sale for Kindle. I have a Nook. But I've got the print book and absolutely loved your hero, so wounded, but authentically full of life. And Nas Dean is right! You did open it differently than I've seen it done, which makes your book, as usual, SOO GOOD!
Your book sounds awesome! Love that kind of opening. Makes me want to read more!
Oh gosh, I have found so many bargains it is unbelievable! I have some crazy good stores close to me especially on clothes and makeup! I have bought makeup kits that retailed for over $120 for $25 at my JCPenney at the Sephora counter. I have a Carson Pirie Scott that has unbelievable sales, with coupons and more off when you use your credit card. I was lucky so many times buying suit jackets that were over $100 and I ended up spending $22 on them. Even blouses and pants I have got so many good deals. We also have an outlet mall only 15 minutes away where I have bought Coach purses for a steal! Purses that retailed for over $420 and I got them for $54.
Also, I have got a lot of good deals at restaurants. I have won gift cards over the internet for free meals at restaurants. Plus my hubby and I are coupon clippers and have a huge stash of coupons and save a bunch at grocery stores.
Thanks, Kathy! I'm so glad you enjoyed The Devil's Heart! Yes, you must get to UBC. You never know what you'll find!
Hi, Michele! Wow, I love your bargains! One of the things we don't have close by is an outlet mall. I love outlet malls. There is a Coach outlet about 2 hours or so away. I haven't gone there yet, but I would love to. Sigh, so many bargains to search for and so little time!
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