A Letter To The Editor, Shopping

I know how you like to squeeze a nickel and I know people are looking for Christmas bargains, so I thought I'd share. 

 

For years I've shopped online at Sierra Trading Post (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/).  My first purchase, made about ten years ago, was for a pair of canvas fabric Columbia utility pants for myself and a pair of hiking boots for my daughter.  After the first pair of pants arrived, I ordered five more.  They wear like iron - I wear them a lot at work and around - two pairs are still in their packages.  After all the discounts, I paid about $7 a pair.  The leather Gore-Tex hikers were $26, marked down $15 from their catalog price when I ordered by phone.

 

I just got delivered several pairs of Lands' End 3-season cotton khakis (under $9 each), a couple of pairs of wool blend dress slacks (msrp $90) for $19 each, a Land's End flannel shirt for $7.77 (a gift) and a couple of dress shirts ($18 for a Chaps button-down, and a wool blend dress shirt for my dad for $21) .

 

Some of the stuff, after all the discounts, comes out at 90% off retail.  Shipping is reasonable.  There's often a promo code that can be found online to reduce or eliminate the cost.  And if you get on their online mailing list, more discounts are offered on the catalog stuff.

 

With the Sierra Trading Post Visa card (no fee), shipping is always free, no matter what the order amount.  I order with the card but never keep a balance, so the card is a great bargain in itself.

The online site has some amazing bargains on everything from high end sports equipment to satin sheets to dog beds to wristwatches and everything in between.  Oh, yeah, and no tax.  And they take returns for as long as you own the items, used or not.  Forever.

 

So, why is it that I ever went to the Mall?