14 June 2001
Creative Shopping
I did some creative shopping earlier on the Office Depot website. I found some nice bookcases there for 49 bucks. Office Depot will provide free delivery for merchandise orders of 50 bucks or more. I also found a coupon for 15 bucks off an order of 50 bucks or more. I need three bookcases, and decided to order them separately to take full advantage of the coupon (also ordering paper clips, envelopes, and pens -- to get the order on each one just over 50 bucks), which indicated no limitations on use. Well, after checking out the first time, and trying to use the coupon again, the site informed me the coupon was only good for one order. But their website isn't very smart. The coupon is only good for one order PER USERNAME! So, I created myself another username, and ordered a second bookcase, on the same credit card, to be delivered to the same address (also the billing address). The system didn't mind that at all. Rather than push my luck, however, I had Callie create an account and order the third bookcase (with pens, thus making the coupon applicable), and we will go pick the third one up at the store, which is a quarter-mile away.
So anyway, I'm a bargain hunter, and I manipulated their system to the full extent it would let me. I don't feel like I "took advantage" of them -- maybe I would if their coupon had stated up front that it only applied to one order per physical address, but it said no such thing -- but I do feel like a got a damn good deal on some damn nice oak veneer bookcases.
Also on the topic of shopping -- a vacuum cleaner I ordered from Overstock.com (using another coupon) arrived today, and what a nice piece of machinery! I've had a cheapie vacuum cleaner (no power, no filter, and bags that shoot sh!t everywhere!) for WAY too long now, and I was just amazed at the power of this bagless, 12 amp, HEPA filter beauty. It's a sure sign I've gotten old that I marvel at such home appliances. A far cry from the Hammons 312 days (an obscure reference nobody will get).
[Posted @ 11:47 PM CST]
