Discounts for senior citizens are fairly common but unfortunately rarely advertised. I had to do some major digging to get details for this column. Often the information wasn’t listed online or posted in shops, so what’s the average consumer supposed to do? I recommend you ask — ask everywhere you do business.

Part of the reason some businesses don’t widely post their discounts or offers for seniors is that they change often or vary by location. Restaurants are the best example of this. Many chain restaurants, both fast food and casual dining, offer a percentage off or free beverages to senior diners, but the deal often depends on the management.

For example, the Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins location on Franklin Road in Roanoke offers seniors a 10 percent discount, but other locations, such as Dunkin’ Donuts retailers within WilcoHess gas stations, may not honor the same promotion.

The same is true for Hallmark stores. Locally, Jaclyn’s Hallmark stores offer a 10 percent discount on Tuesdays, but some other shops in the area offer none.

Some restaurants may also have a special menu for seniors. IHOP and Denny’s have a menu for diners age 55 and older that includes a limited number of discounted items.

Retailers generally offer special discounts on a certain day. Belk offers seniors a discount on the first Tuesday of each month. The discount is usually 15 percent, but can vary.

Retail locations that offer weekly deals include C.J. Banks (10 percent off on Wednesdays), Hamrick’s (10 percent off on Tuesdays), Ross (10 percent off on Tuesdays) and Kohl’s (15 percent off on Wednesdays).

By stacking coupons, sale prices and a senior discount, it’s possible to save a bundle on groceries. Local retailer Eats Natural Foods in Blacksburg offers senior shoppers a 15 percent discount. Each Tuesday, Kroger locations offer seniors a 5 percent discount on their total shopping bill.

It’s not necessary to be a member of AARP or AAA to save on travel costs as a senior. Most chain hotels offer discounts to seniors that range from 10 percent to 30 percent. These rates change often and can vary by location. Greyhound offers senior travelers a 5 percent discount on bus fare as well.

If you’re traveling to U.S. national parks, seniors can pick up a lifetime pass for only $10 — a huge discount compared to the $80 annual pass available to the general public. Staying in your own back yard? You can get a variety of discounted passes for Virginia state parks, too.

Movie tickets round out the collection of savings.

Valley View Grande 16 offers senior tickets for $8.50 all day, and Carmike 10 at Tanglewood offers tickets for $7.25 on weekdays or $7.75 on weekends. The prices at other Regal and Carmike theaters in Southwest Virginia, though, may vary.

Locally owned theaters have some promotions, too. The Grandin Theatre in Roanoke and Westlake Cinema in Hardy both offer seniors movie tickets for $7.50 all day. Occasionally, the Buchanan Theatre in Botetourt County has special showings with discounted senior prices.

What other senior discounts have you found around town?  Share your favorite deals.

JC Penney has been a hot topic on this blog for over a year. The store went through drastic changes in early 2012, and then started backpeddling. CEO Ron Johnson was fired, and now former CEO Mike Ullman is back. So are all of the things you missed about JC Penney — the sales, the coupons and the brands.

The store has now gone so far as to release a video apology in an effort to bring back shoppers.

Do you accept the apology?

With the store going back to its old ways, does that mean you’ll start shopping there again? If not, why?

For more information on all the dirty details, this Forbes article does a nice job of summing it all up.

Yesterday Kroger shocked some shoppers when it posted this message on its Facebook page about how the grocer will no longer be doubling coupons:

“In an effort to provide you with the most value for your dollar, we are updating our coupon policy and implementing a New Lower Prices program. Effective May 12, 2013, we are discontinuing our practice of doubling (up to 50 cents) manufacturer coupons in the Mid-Atlantic region. We will continue to accept manufacturer coupons and other coupons at face value, including: digital coupons, e-coupons, …Catalina coupons and printables. We will also be investing additional resources into lowering prices for our customers on everyday items. We understand that this is a significant change. We hope that you come and see our new low prices – as well as the many other ways to save — for yourself.
• Downloadable, clip-free coupons daily on www.kroger.com
• Special sales events such as Mega Event and Cart Busters
• Fuel savings program that offers up to $1 off per gallon at Kroger Fuel Centers
• 10¢ off per gallon gas savings opportunity at participating Shell stations
• Loyal Customer Mailings containing customized coupons.
• $4/$10 generic drug pricing (see Pharmacy for details)”

Amanda Codispoti has more about this announcement and the retailer’s lower prices on the Storefront blog.

I’m interested in knowing what this means for your shopping habits. Will you continue to be a Kroger shopper?

The gas points are still valuable, but is that enough? The digital coupons Kroger is promoting so heavily can’t be combined with manufacturer coupons, unlike the paper store coupons Food Lion offers. Will that encourage you to switch, or is the New Lower Prices program enough to keep your business?

Lately there have been some news stories about the decline of coupons (like this USA Today story). Over the past year coupon values have dropped, the number of coupons available has dropped and the number of coupons redeemed in stores has dropped. If shoppers aren’t using as many coupons, will this change at Kroger be a big deal for shoppers?

Tell me your thoughts in the comments section below.

How many old cell phones do you have in your junk drawer? Photo by Thief12|Wikimedia Commons.

I always have a hard time parting with my old electronics. Whether it’s a cellphone, laptop or point-and-shoot camera, it’s hard to forget that at one time they were all valuable items. But keeping broken or outdated technology around doesn’t do any good. Luckily, we have plenty of options for recycling or getting cash for these items.

Sell

If you’re trying to make a little money off of your electronics purge, you have a choice of credible sites. Amazon, Craigslist and eBay give you the most freedom to name your own price, but there’s no guarantee someone will buy your product. Other services give you a quote on the value of devices and buy them from you.

A website called Gazelle will make you an offer on your old cellphone or Apple product. The site accepts various smartphones, as well as iPhones, iPads, iPods, Macbooks and Macs. It’s quick and easy to get a quote through Gazelle, and if you accept the price it has named, the site will send you a box to cover the shipping for your device. If the product is in the condition you described during the quote process — anywhere from broken to flawless — you’ll receive your payment in the form of a check, Amazon gift card or PayPal credit within three to five days.

If you’re an avid Target shopper, you might consider using NextWorth. This site buys a wide variety of products including iPhones, iPads, iPods, various smartphones, cameras, tablets, e-readers, calculators, select DVDs and Blu-Ray discs, video games, and video game consoles. These items will be accepted in various conditions, even if they’re broken. NextWorth has a partnership with Target, so you can take your items to the Roanoke or Christiansburg Target locations to get a quote and drop it off. You also can get a quote online and mail your items into the site with a prepaid shipping label. After they inspect the item, you’ll receive a payment in the form of a Target gift card, check or PayPal credit within 10 days.

BuyMyTronics.com also accepts a huge variety of electronics, broken or brand-new. Cellphones, iPhones, iPads, iPods, tablets, digital cameras, video game consoles, e-readers, wireless air cards, MP3 players, PDAs, Macbooks, Apple accessories, GPS devices, camcorders, camera lenses, Macs and Apple displays (such as the Apple Cinema) all are accepted. BuyMyTronics.com provides an online quote and then gives sellers the option to download a shipping label or wait for the site to send a shipping kit. Then, usually within a week, you will receive a payment via check or PayPal.

Multiple other services available will buy your old electronics, but it’s important to make sure they’re trustworthy. Most sites will routinely remove any personal information from devices, though I’d recommend returning everything to the factory settings before sending it away. Also check to see whether it’s necessary to send any accessories, such as charging cables, with your device.

Trade-in/buyback

Some stores and name brands offer trade-in or buyback services, which allow you to bring your old device in and have the value applied to a new, up-to-date product. Best Buy and Walmart both offer this service and pay in store credit. If you have participated in Best Buy’s buyback program in the past, you can can use it, but they are not accepting new customers at this time.

These programs are convenient, but Consumer Reports found the payouts to be less than other options. It’s best to shop around and see what service can benefit you most.

Recycle

If you have electronics that are too old to sell, it’s important to recycle them instead of tossing them in the trash.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “Electronic products are made from valuable resources and materials, including metals, plastics, and glass, all of which require energy to mine and manufacture. Donating or recycling consumer electronics conserves our natural resources and avoids air and water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by manufacturing virgin materials.”

The EPA’s website has some valuable tips about recycling electronic devices. It also links to several other resources that keep track of recycling drop-off locations and events. It also includes a reminder to remove any batteries from devices. Batteries should be recycled separately.

One shocking figure noted on the website: “For every million cell phones we recycle, 35,000 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered.”

How’s that for an inspiration to let go of that flip-phone from 1999?

Many cellphone retailers such as Verizon, AT&T and Sprint accept phones for recycling in their stores or at authorized dealers. Additionally, brands such as Samsung and Dell, which has a partnership with Goodwill, have drop-off locations that accept multiple electronic devices.

Some retailers offer to recycle old products for a fee, but there are so many alternatives that I wouldn’t recommend paying anyone. Goodwill, FreeCycle, The Salvation Army, the National Cristina Foundation and Recycling for Charities are all free options that accept old electronics.

How do you prefer to get rid of old electronics? What services do you like or dislike?

This isn’t exactly breaking news, but it is a topic I know gets many of you going: the constant changes at JC Penney. At the end of January the retailer announced more news for shoppers.

First, they’re bringing back sales. Second, on price tags and in the ad you’ll start to see competitor’s pricing on products (like the price tags at TJ Maxx and Marshalls).

The retailer is also making an effort to let shoppers know the quality of its merchandise can still compete with the more expensive merchandise at other retailers. A recent AP article says JCP has even involved its legal team in this process.

Before these changes JCP already brought back clearance merchandise and dropped its pricing structure, which involved specific markdown dates for merchandise, monthly deals and “best prices.”
There’s still no indication that coupons will be returning, disappointing many former JCP shoppers.

So, it’s that time again. How do you feel about the retailer now that sales are back?

After testing out new programs and policies in November and December during the holiday season, a few retailers choose to hold on to the more successful ones.

One of those retailers, Target, announced Jan. 8 that it will offer year-round price matching with online retailers.

According to Target spokeswoman Jenna Reck, “We learned a lot from the Holiday Price Match, and applied those insights to the development of this new, yearlong program.”

Now, shoppers can look forward to matching prices from Amazon.com, Walmart.com, BestBuy.com and Toysrus.com (or Babiesrus.com) any time they choose. Additionally, Target will match prices from its own website, which runs special promotions from time to time.

To read the rest of this column, click here.

If you remember to take advantage of them, price matching programs can save  you a lot of money. Stores like Sears and Lowes have offered price matching for years. Other stores offer the service seasonally, which is what Target has done in the past.

  However, things are changing. Target recently released information about its new Low Price Promise  price matching program.

Here’s what the retailer says about the new policy:
“If you buy a qualifying item at a Target store then find the identical item for less in the following week’s Target weekly ad or within seven days at Target.com, Amazon.com, Walmart.com, BestBuy.com, ToysRUs.com, BabiesRUs.com or in a competitor’s local printed ad, we’ll match the price. Price match may be requested at Guest Services prior to your purchase with proof of current lower price or by bringing in your original Target store receipt and proof of the current lower price.”

The most important thing to note is the offer to price match websites. Very few retailers will price match anything outside of a printed ad. With the variety of barcode scanning apps available these days, lower prices are literally at your finger tips.
It’s also nice that they will match the price within seven days of purchase, plus you can still use coupons in addition to the price match.

How do you feel about the new policy? Are you more likely to shop at a retailer who offers price matching?

The biggest shopping news of 2012 included big changes at J.C. Penney and Food Lion, the continued explosion of daily deals, and changes to store rewards and coupon policies.

 JCP

J.C. Penney has remained a hot topic on the Shoptimist blog since it made changes to its coupon policy (they’re no longer accepted), named Ellen DeGeneres its spokeswoman and altered its sale schedule.

Since the initial changes last January, the retailer has done away with the monthly deals and “best prices.” Now, shoppers have two options: everyday prices and clearance prices (the final markdown of the product). The retailer did hold a sale on Black Friday, but otherwise the cheapest prices to be found in stores will be the regular clearance markdowns. There are no other scheduled sales to date.

However, shoppers still miss their coupons and aren’t as pleased with the current selection. The weekly sales are also missed by many.

Still, there are a few things that could get shoppers’ attention in the future. There’s still a chance that Sephora cosmetics could be added to Roanoke J.C. Penney stores by 2015. Additionally, the specialty “shops” in stores will increase to 40 (there are currently 11 in the Valley View location) this year. Even more will be added by 2015.

Will these changes appeal to the angry shoppers who have abandoned the store since early 2012?

Food Lion

Last March, Food Lion made some in-store changes. Aisles were widened, prices were lowered and the produce section was expanded. Local shoppers left mostly positive comments on the blog about the changes. After visiting a Food Lion, I appreciated the ample room for navigating a cart and have noticed the prices are more competitive than in the past. The produce section seems to have a better selection as well.

Additionally, kiosks that dispense Food Lion coupons were installed in stores. These coupons cannot be stacked with manufacturer coupons, which are still not doubled by the grocer, but the coupons offering dollars off your total purchase are attractive.

Doubled coupons and more self-checkout lanes remain on the wish list of many shoppers, which is something we’ll keep an eye on in 2013.

Walgreens

Walgreens introduced the Balance Rewards program in September. It allows shoppers to earn points for purchases that can later be traded in for store discounts. Rewards start at $5 for 5,000 points and go as high as $50 for 40,000 points.

To earn additional points, shoppers can enroll in Walk with Walgreens, which will give them 10 Balance Rewards points for every mile walked and tracked through the website.

This new program did not end Register Rewards, a program similar to the loyalty program at CVS. However, the introduction of Balance Rewards did cause some confusion because shoppers can now receive both points and Register Rewards for purchases.

Can the retailer come up with a better way to combine the two programs in 2013?

Dollar Tree

It seems too good to be true, but Dollar Tree, the store where everything is $1, started accepting coupons in August.

With coupon values regularly reaching 50 cents to $1, this meant lots of freebies and bargains. The retailer regularly has name-brand products that often have corresponding coupons such as Ziploc, Glad and Campbell’s.

But just a few months later, in early December, the store made some policy changes. Now, shoppers can use only two Internet coupons per household, per day and no retailer-specific coupons will be accepted.

I think the first change is the biggest. The previous policy limited it to two Internet coupons per transaction, so you could check out twice if necessary. I’m a little shocked that retailer-specific coupons were accepted in the first place.

Groopdealz

One of my favorite new online retail sites is Groopdealz, which specializes in flash sales and daily deals of boutique and Etsy vendors.

Etsy continues to grow in popularity, so a marriage between the two sites means fantastic deals on unique items. Of course, there are multiple sites like this to choose from, but this is one I can attest is legitimate.

I have found many pieces of jewelry and art prints for $10 or less on the website, and shipping often is free or minimal. I suggest “liking” the site on Facebook. The retailer sends out updates every time a sale is starting or new merchandise has been added.

What retail/shopping changes are you hoping to see in 2013?

This week is the cut-off for many companies for guaranteed shipping by Christmas. Also, today is Free Shipping Day. There are over 1,000 retailers offering free shipping and you’ll get these orders by Christmas Eve. Some of the retailers participating include: Kohl’s, Oriental Trading Company, Land’s End, Office Max, Best Buy, Gander Mountain and more. Many of these stores will also be offering special discounts in addition to free shipping.

Now, below you’ll find some of the most important dates if you have other gifts you’d like to arrive by Christmas.

According to the USPS website:
*The cut-off for most Express Mail Military Service is today. Some cut-offs have already passed.
*The cut-off for most international shipping (Express and Global Express) is between today and Dec. 20, depending on where you’re shipping to. Some cut-offs have already passed.
As for Domestic shipping:
* Dec. 20 is the cut-off for First-Class Mail Service
*Dec. 21 is the cut-off for Priority Mail Service
*Dec. 22 is the cut-off for Express Mail® Service (Some Express Mail destinations may have extended service commitments)
*Dec. 19 is the cut-off for Destination Network Distribution Center (DNDC) Drop Ship
*Dec. 21 is the cut-off for Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) Drop Ship
*The cut-off for Parcel Post Service has already passed.

UPS:
* Dec. 21: Normal pickup and delivery service for air, international and ground packages.
UPS Next Day Air packages picked-up today will arrive Monday, Dec. 24. UPS 2nd Day Air packages picked-up today
will arrive Wednesday, Dec. 26.
* Dec. 22: Delivery of UPS Worldwide Express, UPS Next Day Air and UPS 2nd Day Air packages processed and labeled for Saturday Delivery. Pick-up service available for air and international packages only.
* Dec. 24: Normal delivery service for air, international and ground packages.
Pick-up service provided to scheduled pick-up account customers for air and international shipments if prearranged by Friday, Dec. 21. UPS On-Call Pick-up service and all UPS Drop Boxes also are available for air and international
packages to all customers.

FedEx:
* Dec. 17: Last day to ship FedEx Ground and Home Delivery
* Dec. 19: Last day to ship FedEx Express Saver
* Dec. 20: Last day to ship 2Day
* Dec. 21: Last day to ship overnight

Other popular retailers that you may have ordered from have these deadlines:
Toys R Us:
*Dec. 18 is the last day to order using standard shipping
*Dec. 19 is the last day to order using expedited shipping
*Dec. 21 is that last day to order using express shipping
*Free store pick-up will remain available through Dec. 24

Amazon:
*Gift cards (that come with a nifty gift box) will be available with free one-day shipping through Dec. 22
*Dec. 18 is the last day to order with free Super Saver shipping
*Dec. 19 is the last day to order with standard shipping
*Dec. 20 is the last full day to order with two-day shipping
*Dec. 21 will offer two-day shipping through 7 p.m. and is the last full day to order with one-day shipping
* Dec. 22 will offer one-day shipping through 3 p.m.
*Dec. 23 has local express delivery available when possible

Target:
* The last day to receive Seasonal Shipping is Dec. 19.

 Walmart:
* Dec. 19: Last day to order using the “homefree,” site to store and standard shipping options.
* Dec. 20: Last day to order using expedited shipping.
* Dec. 21: Last day to order using rush shipping.
* Dec. 22-24: Items with same day store pick-up will be available.
* Dec. 24: Items labeled “as soon as today” that are ordered by noon will be available for pick-up before 6 p.m.

I have never used a Coinstar machine before because I wasn’t willing to pay the usual fee just to have my change cashed in — but this new promotion is tempting.

Coinstar now offering shoppers gift cards when they trade in their change with new “The Coin to Card” option. Better yet, there’s no fee. How convenient!

Here’s what the website says about the offer:
“Just choose Free Coin Counting and the eCertificate or gift card you’d like. Then cash in, keep it all. ”

Some of the gift cards you can choose from include Papa Johns, Gap, iTunes, Amazon, CVS, Lowes, JC Penney, Sears, Toys R Us and Old Navy.

I can never seem to find those little paper tubes whenever I’m actually in the mood to round up all of that loose change, so this might be my new go-to plan.

For more information, click here.

The Levi's Shop in the Valley View Mall JC Penney. REBECCA BARNETT | The Roanoke Times

Since J.C. Penney announced some major changes in January, customers have had to pick a side: old or new J.C. Penney?

But you may want to wait before you officially choose. The retailer plans changes through 2015, and big things are still happening.

In January, J.C. Penney announced it would no longer have coupons, changed its pricing strategy, revamped the return policy and signed Ellen DeGeneres on as spokeswoman.

Three of these changes remain in effect today: no coupons, a clear-cut return policy and a collaboration with DeGeneres, despite a negative response from some conservative groups.

The pricing strategy, however, has been altered again. The retailer had introduced monthly deals and “best” prices on select products as a way to simplify shopping strategies. Those are now gone.

Instead there are only everyday prices and clearance merchandise – something shoppers said they missed. Each Friday, merchandise is put on clearance to make room for new products, and the clearance price represents the lowest markdown.

“We’re really focused on making it simple for the customer,” said Kate Coultas, a J.C. Penney spokeswoman.

Though there are still no coupons, shoppers can earn jcp rewards.

J.C. Penney cardmembers are automatically enrolled in this program. If you’re not a cardmember, you can register up to three credit or debit cards, including a jcp card, upon joining the program.

With qualifying purchases totaling $100 per month, a $10 reward certificate will be emailed to the shopper to use the following month. Gold card members can earn up to two rewards for spending $200 per month, and platinum card members can earn up to three rewards for spending $300 per month. Shoppers will also receive an email when their jcp rewards are about to expire.

Introducing Shops, free kids haircuts at salon

There are also some physical changes happening throughout stores. The retailer has widened aisles and hung fewer items on racks to make them easier for browsing.

Another recent addition are the “Shops,” which are brand-specific shopping areas within the store. Locally, the Valley View Mall location has 11 shops: MNG by Mango, Levi’s (for men and women), Arizona (for juniors and young men), I jeans by Buffalo, Liz Claiborne, Izod and jcp (for men and women).

And there might be one other coming soon: Sephora.

“Sephora has been discussed and is a possibility,” said Denise Gordon, Valley View store leader.

Gordon explained that by having Shops, which appear simply to be nice displays of select brands, J.C. Penney is hoping it will feel like a specialty department store. Each brand’s Shop is tailored to a specific style. Eventually, they hope, the entire store will be a collection of shops, making it easier for shoppers to find what they want.

By the end of 2013, J.C. Penney stores will have 40 Shops in stores nationwide and 100 by the end of 2015. The Valley View location is optimistic it will eventually have each Shop.

Some specialty areas of the store, like housewares, lingerie, shoes and children’s apparel, haven’t been affected yet by Shops, but Gordon said most every department will be touched by 2015.

While J.C. Penney’s salon will remain untouched, starting in November the promotion offering free haircuts for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade will return each Sunday.

Throughout October the salon will also be offering free cuts to breast cancer survivors in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Shoppers sound off

Responses to the changes at the retailer have been mixed.

Taniko Belt of Roanoke has been a J.C. Penney shopper for at least 12 years and still loves it.

“There’s something for everyone in the family. I’m a mother and I love the clothing, the styles and the people who work here,” she explained while shopping there Tuesday morning. “And I love the prices, it’s all so affordable.”

Isaac Podyma of Bedford doesn’t shop often, but he likes the changes. He was also there Tuesday.

“I like that they put everything I like and need in one part of the store,” Podyma said.

However, he wasn’t too impressed with the prices. He also had trouble finding his size in the Shops, which featured many different styles but a limited number of sizes for each.

Several readers have commented on the Shoptimist blog about the changes. Many miss the coupons, and there seemed to be an age divide: young shoppers like the changes, while longtime customers do not.

Cary Ridgeway wrote: “No longer shop there anymore since they changed thingsâ? .Used to love the old JCP, don’t like the new one at all!”

Trish agreed: “I also shopped at JCP and it was my favorite but since they stopped the Door Busters on Saturday mornings and coupons I no longer shop there. The selection is poor and overpriced!”

Shanon doesn’t feel the store is for her anymore, commenting: “I very rarely shop there anymore. I used to get the majority of my wardrobe there, but since the changes, I can no longer find good deals. As a mom of 3, I’m always looking for bargains, which the old JCP had. The new JCP seems to be targeting the young professionals.â? I think they have created a lose-lose situation for themselves.”

Meanwhile, Amber is a new fan of the store. She wrote: “I had stayed away from JCP after reading all the negative comments in the first article. I recently went there and was pleasantly surprised. â? There are still plenty of bargains. I shop for my toddler and the prices at JCP now are cheaper than they used to be. They are also much cheaper than the other department stores for the same brands.”

Kristen agreed and wrote: “I like the new JC Penney. As a younger (mid-20s) shopper, I never shopped there before all the changes. There just wasn’t enough options for my taste in style. Now, I can find some really cute, stylish but not too trendy looks for half the price of what you would find at Macy’s.”

Unfortunately, the numbers aren’t on J.C. Penney’s side. According to a Sept. 24 article in Business Week, the company’s shares traded at $43.18 on Feb. 9 before hitting a year-low of $19.06 on July 18.

Additionally, in early September, Forbes reported that in the first six months of 2012 sales dropped 21.3 percent.

Will Shops, free haircuts and a revamped look get shoppers back in the store? Only time will tell, but Ron Johnson, chief executive officer of J.C. Penney, has high hopes.

In a news release Johnson said, “The back-to-school season presents the perfect opportunity to offer free haircuts for kids and unveil our new Shops, giving customers a first glimpse of what will soon be an entirely new retail experience. We know how important it is for kids to make a great first impression and with low prices every day, jcpenney is making it easier for parents to shop without having to wait for a sale.”

What do you think of the long-term plan for J.C. Penney? Do you plan to shop at the store?

I’ll be working on a follow-up story on JC Penney this week and I’d love to have some reader input.

When I covered the changes the retailer implemented last January and February (no more coupons, new spokesperson, changes in the way sales are done, etc.), folks had some pretty strong opinions.

So how are you feeling about the store these days? Have you gotten used to the changes? Do you like them or dislike them?

Note: Comments may be included in print at a later date.

Details are finally coming out about the new rewards program being offered by Walgreens.

With the new system you’ll earn points for every purchase you make in stores and online. You’ll also get points for other activities, like participating in the Walk with Walgreens program.

Points earned can then be cashed in for Redeption Dollars that can be used on products throughout the store. There’s even an app for iPhone and Android to help you track your points. Members can also scan their mobile devices at the register to earn points and savings and redeem awards without carrying around a plastic card.

Here’s the break down of the points system:
5,000 points = $5
10,000 points = $10
18,000 points = $20
30,000 points = $35
40,000 points = $50

The new program won’t take effect until September 16, but if you sign up early you’ll be entered to win 1 million points.

For more info, check out the video below or click here.

How do you feel about the changes being made at Walgreens?

From time to time, retailers update their policies and smart shoppers need to stay in the know. Here are some changes that effect shoppers locally:

Dollar Tree stores, where everything is $1 or less, are now accepting manufacturer’s coupons.

If you’re shopping in-store, you can use up to two print-at-home coupons per shopping trip and one manufacturer coupon per item. There are a few important details: Coupons for free items with no purchase requirements will not be accepted and coupons cannot be redeemed for more than the purchase price of the item. Management also has the right to refuse any coupon or limit quantities, so certain rules could differ depending on which store you shop. For more information, visit www.dollartree.com.

Target recently introduced Target Baby Alerts. Exclusive baby coupons, deals and other announcements will be texted to shoppers up to six times per month. Some of the deals for August include buy one, get one half-off Gerber onesies, $2 off Burt’s Bees Baby Bee toiletry items, $2 off Huggies and 10 percent off your first baby order. To start receiving these text alerts, text BABY to 827438.

Walgreens is reworking its shopping rewards program and will soon introduce Balance Rewards.

Shoppers can enroll in the new program online early at bit.ly/R7Ohr8, though the program won’t officially start until Sept. 16. Full details haven’t been released yet, but the new program will be points-based, giving shoppers the opportunity to earn points for shopping and redeem them for products and other rewards.

Walmart is bringing back layaway for the 2012 holiday season after a successful run in 2011. Layaway will become available again Sept. 16 and be available through Dec. 14. Customers who “like” their favorite store will have the opportunity to put items on layaway two days early.

This year’s program offers an extended list of eligible categories. Also, shoppers who make their final payment will receive a refund of the $15 layaway fee in the form of a Walmart gift card. According to the retailer’s website, the down payment for layaway is 10 percent or $10 (whichever is greater). To be eligible, individual items must be priced at $15 or more, and the total layaway purchase must be $50 or more. For more information, visit www.walmart.com/layaway.

I’m a big CVS shopper. If you can get in the right rotation with their Extra Bucks rewards program, a lot of money can be saved. If you’re just starting out or an avid CVS shopper, this promotion is very attractive.

From Sept. 16 to Dec. 15, CVS is offering 4 percent back quarterly — double the 2 percent they usually offer — each time you use your Extra Care card in stores or for online purchases. You will have to sign up at bit.ly/PrSO8H to take advantage of this deal, but this could have a huge impact on the Extra Bucks you receive. Have your Extra Care card handy when you sign up, you will need to enter the number on the back.

Details about the evolving Walgreens rewards policy will be updated there as they are released.

Sam’s Club will be hosting an open house this weekend, August 3 – 5, coinciding with Virginia’s tax holiday.

Friday through Sunday, non-members can make purchases at the store without the customary 10 percent service fee, according to an email from Mark Scott, Manager of Public Relations for Sam’s Club.

Sam’s Club has plenty of merchandise that qualifies as tax exempt, both clothes and school supplies, so this is a great opportunity to try out the Club if you’ve been considering a membership.

The retailer will also have special packages for college-bound students, like the Wake-Up Bundle, which includes a Keurig Signature Brewer, Donut House Coffee, Caribou Blend Coffee and an iHome alarm clock radio for iPad/iPhone/iPod for $276, or the Supplies Bundle, which includes a Visio Tablet, SwissGear laptop daypack, a 40-piece set of writing instruments from Bic, Post-It Notes and writing pads for $249.

Additionally, if your student signs up for a Collegiate Membership for $40, they’ll receive a $15 gift card, discounts on textbooks.com and an extra card for a lucky roommate or study partner.

For more information, visit Sam’s Club online.

To brush up on what’s included in this weekend’s tax holiday, click here.

Ready or not, it’s almost time to go back to school. Prepare to see kids everywhere rolling their eyes and bemoaning the task in the coming weeks, but the time has come to start shopping for school supplies and clothes.

To help you save a few bucks, keep in mind that Virginia’s tax holiday for school supplies and clothing is next weekend, Aug. 3-5. Throughout the weekend, qualifying school supplies of $20 or less and qualifying clothes and footwear of $100 or less will be exempt from sales tax.

Some clothing purchases that are excluded consist of sporting equipment and footwear used primarily for athletic activities, as well as clothing designed for protective use and not considered appropriate for everyday use. Accessories are also excluded from the sales tax holiday.

Some products you may consider school supplies do not qualify as tax-exempt products.

Computers and computer supplies, defined by the Virginia Department of Taxation as “items commonly used by a student in a course of study in which a computer is used,” and textbooks are not tax-exempt.

However, school art and music supplies are considered school supplies and won’t incur sales tax.

Rebates that lower the price of an item cannot be used to make a product tax-exempt. For example, if a pair of shoes is priced at $120 and the manufacturer is offering a $20 rebate (to be mailed after purchase), the shoes are still not tax-exempt despite their after-rebate price of $100.

There are also some special guidelines for exchanges, layaway, rain checks and returns.

If you need to exchange an item purchased over the sales tax holiday, you will not owe sales tax on the new item.

Qualifying purchases put on layaway over the holiday will be exempt from sales tax, and any future payments on the layaway order are also exempt.

Rain checks that are paid for after the tax holiday are not tax-exempt. However, if an item is paid for during the sales tax holiday but delivered at a later date, it is still exempt.

Make sure you hold on to your receipt after making any supply purchases past Aug. 4. For 60 days after the tax holiday, any returns on tax-exempt products without a receipt will not receive credit for sales tax.

The only way to receive a refund for the price of the item plus any sales tax paid is to present an invoice or receipt. This applies to purchases made before and after the sales tax holiday.

Phone, Internet and mail orders are also affected by the holiday.

Qualifying purchases made via phone, Internet or mail order can be considered tax-exempt if the customer pays for the order and the seller accepts it for immediate shipment during the tax holiday (which excludes custom orders).

During the sales tax holiday, retailers may also absorb the sales tax on other products, so keep any eye out for those deals as well.

For more information on the sales tax holiday, visit http://tax.virginia.gov or call the Virginia Department of Taxation at 804-367-8037.

To see a full list of tax-exempt items, click here.

Discounts for students and teachers can be easily forgotten, especially during the summer months.

If you’re looking for a good deal, check out these businesses that offer bargains to those with education IDs.

Retail

Amazon.com: By joining Amazon Student, students can receive six months of free two-day shipping, plus other special offers via email. You can also get free release-date delivery on video games, DVDs, books and more.

Ann Taylor: Students can receive 20 percent off full-price, in-store purchases by showing a valid student ID.

Ann Taylor Loft: Teachers can register online at Loft.com for multiple benefits. Show a valid teacher ID in stores to receive 15 percent off full-price purchases, plus get exclusive sweepstakes for teachers, access to grant money, seasonal style guides and teacher appreciation nights for you and your colleagues.

Banana Republic: Teachers and students with a valid school ID will receive 15 percent off full-price, in-store purchases.

Charlotte Russe: Students with a valid school ID can receive 10 percent off in the store at checkout.

Eddie Bauer: Teachers receive 10 percent off in-store purchases by showing a valid ID.

J. Crew: College students and teachers can receive 15 percent off full-price, in-store purchases with a valid ID. Some exclusions apply.

New York & Company: Show a school ID, pay stub or business card when checking out and teachers will receive 15 percent off in-store purchases. After signing up, teachers will also receive an additional 20 percent off coupon, and other special offers will be sent via email.

Sally Beauty: Beauty students can present their school ID to become a Beauty School Savings member. Members receive in-store discounts, monthly specials and scholarship assistance.

The Limited: Students and teachers with valid school ID can receive 15 percent off full-price, in-store purchases.

Insurance

Allstate: Full-time students can save up to 20 percent for good grades. Also, parents with a child in school at least 100 miles away can get up to 30 percent off their premium.

Farmers Insurance: Full-time students ages 16 to 25 who are ranked in the top 20 percent of their class, have a GPA of a “B”/3.0 or higher, or are included on the Dean’s List or Honor Roll can earn the Farmers Good Student Discount for auto insurance. Savings vary.

Geico: Full-time students ages 16 to 25 can receive up to 15 percent off coverage for maintaining a “B” average.

State Farm: Full-time students ages 16 to 25 who are ranked in the top 20 percent of their class, have a GPA of a “B”/3.0 or higher, or are included on the Dean’s List or Honor Roll can earn the Good Student Discount for auto insurance. Savings vary.

Books, crafts & office

A.C. Moore: Teachers can present an A.C. Moore Rewards Card (free at www.acmoorerewards.com) along with a teacher union card, state-issued teaching certificate, home school affidavit or IHIP approval letter from a school district or a state home schooling certificate or state-issued preschool/daycare facility certificate/license for 10 percent off in-store purchases.

Apple Online Store for Education: Locate an authorized Apple Campus Store or shop online and receive special student and educator discounts. Mac computers, Apple software and select accessories can all be bought at special prices. Visit http://store.apple.com/us/browse/campaigns/education_pricing for more information.

Barnes & Noble: Teachers and home educators can receive 20 percent off purchases for classroom use, plus 25 percent off during Educator Appreciation Days. Educators will also receive email offers throughout the year and information on special events. Teachers must register for this program in stores, but the discount can be used online and in stores.

Books-A-Million: Participating locations (including the Roanoke store) offer teachers with valid ID a discount of 20 percent off in-store purchases.

The Container Store: Teachers can sign up at www.containerstore.com/teachers/index.htm to earn special discounts in store, online or by phone through December 2012.

FedEx Office: Sign up at https://psg.kinkos.com/educator/ and school teachers, faculty and staff can receive 15 percent off most products and services by presenting their discount card. This discount can be used in the store or online, and there’s no limit to the savings that can be accrued each year. Educators will also receive special offers via email once they become members.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores: Teachers and home educators can receive 15 percent off every purchase, plus get a bonus coupon for 20 percent off any one total purchase when they enroll or re-enroll in the program. Purchases of remnants, patterns and gift cards are excluded. Apply online at www.joann.com/teacherrewards or in stores to receive a discount card.

Michaels: Teachers can receive 15 percent off each in-store purchase by showing their school ID. Some exclusions apply.

Office Max: The MaxPerks Rewards for teachers includes a $10 reward every time $75 is spent on qualified purchases (up to $100 in rewards per year). Sign up in stores, by calling 866-MAX-PERKS or by going online at https://www.officemaxperks.com/LearnMoreTeachers.aspx.

Travel, communications

Amtrak: Students going on college visits can get 50 percent off a companion ticket after purchasing one full-price ticket by using the Campus Visit Discount. Some blackout dates apply and students must travel with a parent or guardian. Visit www.campusvisit.com/amtrak/ to sign up.

AT&T: Employees of K-12 school districts can receive up to 17 percent off select wireless services, discounts on select phones, $25 off online orders, free shipping and more. Go to www.att.com and search “teacher appreciation” for more details.

The New York Times: Students who choose to have the paper delivered will receive a discount from the newsstand price. Discounts vary based on the plan chosen. 

Various other movie theaters, restaurants and other businesses also offer student and teacher discounts based on their location. Many software and computer companies (like Dell and Microsoft) also offer different deals for individual schools. While shopping around, it never hurts to ask if a discount is available.

Know of any other great discounts? Share them!

The popularity of Internet radio has exploded over the past few years, especially as listeners realize the ease of accessing specialized stations via smartphone apps.

While most services offer you commercial free or on-demand listening for a fee, others might give you just want you want at no cost.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can get from various online radio services for free:

Last.fm

This service will create custom stations for you based on the artists and genres you like. Last.fm is ad-supported, so there are commercials.

Listeners can tune in to Last.fm online or through the Scrobbler — the site’s downloadable desktop player. There also are mobile apps and the service is available to Xbox Live members.

Mog.com

Mog offers unlimited ad-supported listening for free. The service allows listeners to create playlists of their favorite songs and personalize radio channels.

You can listen online for free, but be prepared to pay if you want to tune in through your phone or in the car.

Pandora

Perhaps the most familiar name on this list, this station is inspired by the music genome project. What you may not know is that Pandora has a smaller music catalog than most other services.

You can’t pick out individual songs you want to hear, but you can create your own station based on a genre, artist or song. Then Pandora goes to work picking out songs you should like based on that information. Give the song thumbs up or thumbs down to tailor the station even more to your liking.

There are a limited number of skips allowed, you can’t rewind with this program and the service is ad-supported, so there are commercials. Listen for free via its mobile app or online.

Slacker

Slacker Radio is a service with hundreds of stations categorized by various genres. This program is ad-supported, so in exchange for free listening you will hear a few commercials. Slacker also offers news and sports radio, which isn’t always available from other sites.

This service also allows you to block artists or share feedback and get more of the artists you love. You can listen to Slacker for free via its mobile app or online.

Soma.fm

This is a listener-supported station, which means there are no commercials. More than 20 alternative music stations are available, so you may have to click around some to find one that’s just right.

You can hear this station online, on a mobile site or through its app. Soma.fm isn’t playing mainstream music, so if you have an appetite for some new, unheard-of tunes, check it out.

Spotify

If you’re a Facebook user you’ve probably heard of Spotify.

This service allows you to see what your friends are listening to, subscribe to their playlists and make your own.

You can listen to entire songs and albums for free through Spotify, which is an ad-supported program.

If you’re looking for new music, use the radio program to generate songs you may like based on an artist or genre. You can listen to Spotify for free online, but you’ll have to be a paying subscriber to listen on the go through the mobile app.

TuneIn

TuneIn streams live radio stations from all over the world for free on its website and mobile app. Listeners can search for radio stations by call number, location, genre or station type. This is perfect for anyone uprooted from home and craving some local flavor.

Which online radio service do you prefer? Are the perks worth the price, or will you stick to these free offerings?

Here’s a roundup of some new money-saving tips that might lead you to major bargains:

RedPlum, one of the coupon booklets inserted in Sunday newspapers, has provided printable coupons on its website for quite some time. But the coupons online and the coupons in print are often different.

Recently, RedPlum started offering their Sunday coupon booklets in an eBook online. There is a print limit to the coupons, though, so try to access them as early as possible on Sunday mornings. This will be especially handy for any household that doesn’t regularly receive RedPlum with their paper. To try out the new site, visit ebook.redplum.com.

I’ve had a couple of great experiences at Kohl’s recently that led to big savings. On one visit, the saleswoman gladly scanned a coupon from my smartphone when I realized I had forgotten to print it out. On a second trip, I was able to combine a sale price, a $5-off coupon and $10 in Kohl’s Cash — I ended up saving more than $30 on a single purchase.

So now you know, always remember to stack those coupons at Kohl’s. You can combine two dollar-off coupons or a dollar-off coupon and a percentage-off coupon.

Here are some other ways you may not realize you can save at Kohl’s:

If you come within $2 of the Kohl’s Cash criteria (you spend $48 of the required $50), the retailer will round up and reward you with your $10 Kohl’s Cash.

If you forget to include a promo code in an online order, call (855-564-5705) or email (http://bit.ly/oDVF5U) customer service and they will adjust the price of your order for you. You are allowed two promo codes per online order.

CVS has gone mobile. Download the free CVS/pharmacy app for iPhone or Android and you can use your smartphone in place of your ExtraCare card at the register. Up until now, it was not in CVS’ policy to scan coupons from smartphones and you could not access your ExtraCare Card barcode from your smartphone. Now both can be scanned from a phone at the register.

Additionally, you can access your account to view your ExtraBucks rewards and any other savings. You also can send any available coupons directly to your card and skip the printer.

If you use the pharmacy for your prescriptions, there’s also a tool where you can scan your medications to request a refill. After scanning, you will have the opportunity to select a time and location to pickup your medication.

This is the most useful app I’ve downloaded in a long time.

Many shoppers are aware that Target offers store coupons online, but did you know they also offer manufacturer coupons?

Mixed in with the store coupons you’ll find manufacturer coupons available for printing. This is a great opportunity to find coupons that may have reached their print limit on other coupon sites. The major downside is that you can’t tell which coupons are manufacturer coupons and which are store coupons until they are printed. Either way, you could end up saving a lot.

Target will accept one manufacturer’s coupon and one store coupon for a product, so start stacking. There also are coupons available for apparel, accessories and other products throughout the store.

If you have a smartphone, I would also suggest signing up for text alerts and coupons. Target will send you new coupons every couple of weeks for products in each department, even apparel. Just have the cashier scan the barcode on your phone at checkout to get the savings.

To sign up for text alerts, visit http://www.target.comand click the icon labeled Target Mobile. On the following screen you’ll see an area to enter your cellphone number, time zone and preferred delivery time.

How are you saving an extra buck these days?

Most of the time when we hear the phrase “buyer incentives,” it’s related to large purchases such as a house or a car. For those bigger investments, you sometimes can get a tax break, a special deal on your loan or some sort of cash back reward for making payments early. But flip through retail ads today and you’ll see that stores are offering buyer incentives on just about anything.

Sometimes, however, it means the buyer spends more upfront.

I don’t know anyone who would argue with a sale price. But when it comes to having to buy a product to save in the long run, things get tricky.

For example, both Kohl’s and CVS are popular retailers in our area who offer their own store rewards for select purchases.

Kohl’s offers Kohl’s Cash throughout the year when shoppers spend a certain amount. After the cash is earned, shoppers can return at a later date to use the “cash” on future purchases.

CVS has a similar deal. Shoppers earn Extra Bucks for spending a certain amount on selected products each week. These “bucks” can be used in future shopping trips.

If you are a regular shopper at a store that offers these incentives, they can be very rewarding. I’m in a cycle of shopping at CVS because I prefer to make short shopping trips when what I need is on sale as opposed to big Walmart trips. Even though the normal prices at CVS are higher than those at Walmart, I save 50 percent to 75 percent on each shopping trip thanks to my coupons and Extra Bucks.

However, if you’re enticed to pick up a product at one of these stores because of the rewards you receive with a purchase even though you rarely shop there, think twice. For retailers, part of the appeal of these incentives is that many shoppers will forget to use their rewards or not bother to return. Then you really haven’t gotten a deal at all.

Similar promotions also can be found at Target, which regularly offers free gift cards with selected purchases. The plus side to receiving a gift card with purchase is that it won’t expire like store “cash,” which usually is valid for only a month or less.

Then there is the best kind of incentive, which most of us see as an old-fashioned sale. For many shoppers, there’s not much better than a sign that reads “buy one, get one free.” The free product is indeed an incentive, but the reward is immediate.

Similar deals include “buy one at regular price, get one for a dollar,” or “buy one, get one half-off.” You may not have thought of these purchases as incentives in the past, but it’s important to start doing so to really see the value in what you’re buying.

Do you have a preference when shopping? Are you often enticed by rewards after purchase, or have you been burned by them in the past?

At the end of March, Food Lion released a new strategy for its stores that included lower prices, clutter-free aisles, a better selection of produce and improved customer service.

About the same time, MVP Savings Centers — kiosks where shoppers can scan their MVP cards and receive special offers — were introduced. Since then, all 65 Food Lion stores in Southwest Virginia have converted to the new system and each will eventually have a kiosk.

After giving folks a while to experience the new system, I asked shoppers to tell me what they thought. I wanted to know if they had noticed the big points Food Lion was trying to improve upon — lower prices on more than 6,000 items, fresher and cheaper produce, and a better in-store shopping experience (faster checkout, new carts and aisles with less clutter).

Many responses were in Food Lion’s favor, though there are a few shoppers who still are disappointed.

Blog reader Dennis wrote: “The Food Lion on Wildwood Road, Salem, is the closest store to me and I go there when I just need a quick something. I also shop their specials, and I often buy marked down meat at great prices there. That store is bright and clean and the employees there are exceptionally friendly! I really enjoy going there. Their ‘old’ regular prices weren’t that good, but I have seen a change for the better w/in the past two weeks.”

Reader Debi also likes the new changes. She wrote: “I’ve been an almost-exclusive Food Lion shopper since I moved to this apartment. I shop at the store next to Salem Theater. The staff are very friendly, even the new ones that don’t ‘know’ me. I do like the new coupon dispensing machine and check it every visit. I buy a lot of produce and I think the selection is fairly good.”

However, she also added, “The only complaint I have about the store I normally go to is the parking lot. It needs to be paved. I am afraid I am going to trip over the uneven surface.”

In the open letter Food Lion publicized as the changes were implemented mentioned brighter parking lots but not paving.

On the other end of the spectrum were readers who haven’t been swayed by the grocer’s new plan.

Blog reader Cali wrote: “Notice that their new ads don’t list prices for BOGO offers so you can’t price compare — and don’t list the regular price if you don’t use MVP card. Makes it impossible to determine if their ‘sale’ price is a good price or not. No transparency for these ‘lowered’ prices.”

Other John wasn’t inspired enough to change his usual shopping habits. He wrote: “If I have a choice, I’ll shop at Kroger, or Wal-Mart, first.”

Many commenters also mentioned other changes they’d like to see in stores, specifically doubled coupons and more self-checkout lanes (which are not available at all stores).

Christy Phillips-Brown, director of external communications and corporate communications of Delhaize America, Food Lion’s parent company, said that the company has no immediate plans to implement double coupons, but they are always planning and collecting feedback for the future.

She also noted that the coupons available from the MVP Savings Center cannot be stacked with manufacturer coupons. However, there are a variety of coupons available from the kiosks, such as dollar amounts off of produce purchases and savings on national and private-label brands.

Larry Cassels, Food Lion’s director of operations for Southwest Virginia, suggested shoppers stay tuned for more changes. “Stay in touch with the ads,” he said.

If you would like to tell Food Lion what you think of their new store strategy or make suggestions, Brown suggests shoppers call 800-210-9569 or visit www.foodlion.com/customerservice.

Have you noticed any changes at Food Lion? Photo by Travis Long, Raleigh News & Observer/MCT.

Recently Food Lion rolled out a new strategy that was to include cheaper prices and a concentration on produce and store brand products. You may have read about it on Amanda Codispoti’s Storefront blog.

Since then, in-store kiosks have also started popping up, offering shoppers coupons and other perks for scanning their MVP card upon arrival.

It’s been a couple weeks since the changes have started taking place, and I’d like to hear your experiences. Are the prices any cheaper? Do you notice more fresh produce? Have you ever actually tried the coupon kiosk?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Jewelry. Lunchboxes. Storage containers. Makeup. Candles. Utensils.

Each of these is a popular product being sold at direct-sale home parties. Consultants from companies such as Thirty-One, Avon, Mary Kay, Stella & Dot, Pampered Chef, Tasteful Treasures, Scentsy and Tupperware have customers host parties and invite their friends for a few hours of in-home shopping.

As a reward for hosting a party each company offers the host various incentives, but is it really worth it? Generally, the host of a sale party is asked to provide food and drinks for the guests. Don’t forget the time it takes to clean before and after.

If the payoff is worth it for you, use these details, some of which change month to month, to decide which company might be right for you.

Mary Kay: These ladies and their pink cars are classics in this industry and a well-known name in makeup.

You have three reward options here. First, you could receive up to 20 percent in free Mary Kay products. Rewards begin at $200 sold, and without booking any additional parties you’ll automatically receive 10 percent of the party sales in products. The amount of freebies increases if one or more of your friends also agrees to book a party — 15 percent with one party booked and 20 percent with two parties booked.

The second option is $75 worth of Mary Kay products for a reduced price of $35. You can earn this reward just by booking the party, so the amount of sales isn’t as important. The third option varies by independent consultants who may arrange their own promotions.

Pampered Chef: For foodies, Pampered Chef is a good option. The company offers high-end and unusual kitchen accessories.

Consultants can provide hosts with a cooking show, which features the consultant demonstrating some of the tools while preparing a recipe for guests (the host must supply recipe ingredients), or a catalog show, which just features the products available for purchase.

What’s offered to hosts is a percentage of the total party’s sales in free products, half-price and discounted products, 10 percent off purchases for a year and free shipping.

There’s also a special deal each month available to hosts. The host of a cooking show that has $600 in sales will receive $115 in free products, two half-price items, a 25 percent discount and free shipping, in addition to the 10 percent discount and free shipping for a year, according to the website. The free product values for hosts of a cooking show are higher than those of a catalog show. Rewards begin at $150 in sales.

Tasteful Treasures: These parties for adults only offer 10 percent of the total sales back to the host.

Thirty One: This maker of purses, lunchboxes, travel bags and more offers various levels of rewards to hosts, similar to the Pampered Chef system.

Hosts earn a percentage of the sales back in free merchandise, plus a certain number of half-price items. For example, if your party totals $200 in sales, you will receive $25 in free merchandise, one half-price item and one hostess exclusive item at a discount. Half-price items also include half-price embroidery. Rewards begin at $200 sold.

Scentsy: This line of fragrant waxes, air fresheners and warmers offers 10 percent to 15 percent of the party’s sales back to the host in free merchandise, plus various levels of half-price items. The rewards begin at $150 in sales. There are also additional perks if any of your party guests book their own party.

Tupperware: Another classic name for at-home-parties, Tupperware offers plastic storage containers and kitchen accessories. There are two reward options for hosts.

One option has three levels of rewards: 10 percent, 15 percent or 20 percent of the party’s sales in free merchandise, plus one to three half-price products. Rewards begin at $250 sold. You’ll also get additional offers when your guests book their own parties.

The other reward option changes each month, offering seasonal deals for booking a party and meeting certain qualifications.

Stella & Dot: The trunk shows by this line of accessories, mostly jewelry and handbags, reward the host in three different levels: 15 percent, 20 percent or 25 percent of the total sale in free merchandise, plus two, three or four half-price items. Rewards begin at $300 sold.

According to their website, the average host earns $250 in free merchandise and four half-off items. There are possible additional costs involved if you choose to have the consultant, or “stylist” in this case, send out party invitations for you.

There are tons of other direct-sale options to choose from, but these are some of the most popular in our area. The parties can prove to be a good time to gather with friends, but don’t get carried away with the idea that you’ll have big earnings. Also, try not to pressure any friends, family or coworkers into making purchases, which can be a big turnoff.

It’s best to plan your party during a slow month and when you know your friends won’t be throwing one of their own.

Have you thrown successful direct-sale parties? Share your tips in the comments section.

Each year the Federal Trade Commission releases a list of its top consumer complaints. In 2011, more than 1.8 million complaints were issued, dealing with such varied things as imposter scams, sweepstakes, and telephone and mobile services. In all, there’s a list of 30 categories.

For the 12th consecutive year, complaints about identity theft took the top spot, garnering 15 percent of the total complaints filed. If you suspect you’re a victim of identity theft, some signs to look out for include unexplained withdrawals from a bank account, changes in monthly bills and daily mail, and bounced checks.

The FTC suggests you act quickly if you suspect that someone has stolen your identity.

First, place an initial fraud alert. You can do this by calling one of the companies keeping record of your credit history and ask them to place an initial fraud alert on your credit report. The fraud report will remain on your credit report for 90 days, after which it can be renewed.

You can also consider requesting a credit freeze, which means potential creditors cannot get your credit report, making it less likely that an identity thief can open new accounts in your name. A credit freeze doesn’t affect your credit score, and during the freeze you can still open new accounts, apply for a job, rent an apartment, buy insurance, refinance you mortgage or do other activities that require a credit report.

Second, order your credit reports. As you’re placing the initial fraud alert, the company will explain your rights and how you can obtain a free copy from each of the three credit reporting companies: Equifax (800-525-6285), Experian ­(888-397-3742) or TransUnion (800-680-7289).

During this process, you should also contact any businesses connected to the accounts that have been tampered with. Speak with a representative in the fraud department, and follow up in writing.

Third, create an identity theft report. This report can assist you in dealing with credit reporting companies, debt collectors and businesses that open false accounts in your name. The report can also be used to remove fraudulent information from your report, stop a company from collecting debts as a result of identity theft, place an extended fraud alert on your credit report, and get information from companies about accounts the identity thief opened or misused.

In order to create an identity theft report, you must first submit a complaint about the theft to the FTC at www.ftc.gov/complaint or by calling 877-438-4338. All of these written details about the theft make up an identity theft affidavit.

Next, file a police report about the identity theft and obtain a copy of the report. Bring the affidavit when you file the police report. Once the identity theft affidavit and police report are attached to the FTC report, your identity theft report is complete.

Some tips that can help you avoid this process altogether include locking up your personal and financial documents; limiting the identification, debit and credit cards you carry; picking up new checks at the bank instead of having them mailed; shredding sensitive documents; monitoring your mail carefully; opting out of pre-screened credit offers; and protecting medical information (shredding medicine labels and limiting the people who know your health care plan information).

New technology is wonderful, but it can also make protecting your personal and financial information more difficult. That said, never click links, open files or download files sent by strangers or unfamiliar companies via email, use anti-virus and anti-spyware software in addition to a firewall, and be sure to reset mobile devices to their factory settings and clear any memory cards before disposing of them.

To view sample letters, forms and more tips on how you can be a smart consumer and protect your personal information, visit www.ftc.gov.

The rest of the complaints rounding out the top 10 include:
*Debt Collection Complaints (10%)
*Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries (6%)
*Shop-at-Home and Catalog Sales (5%)
*Banks and Lenders (5%)
*Internet Services (5%)
*Auto Related Complaints (4%)
*Imposter Scams (4%)
*Telephone and Mobile Services (4%)
*Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair (3%)

It seems these scams have increased greatly as the popularity of internet shopping and banking grows.

Have you personally had any complaints filed with the FTC? How were they handled, and what did you do to correct the issue?

As you may have seen in this past Sunday’s ad, J.C. Penney has a new look — and I think it’s a good one. The retailer has completely transformed itself, changing its logo, its spokesperson and its pricing structure.

The company’s ad and store designs are clean and simple now, and their pricing and return policies are following suit.

The new pricing strategy, dubbed Fair and Square, includes three types of prices: best prices, month-long values and everyday.

Best prices are Penney’s lowest prices, which can be found on the first and third Fridays of each month. That means no more sales and coupons each week, just a simple sale schedule.

Month-long values are prices that are lower than the original sales price all month, but may not be as low as the best prices.

Everyday prices are the original sales prices of their products, which since the redesign are lower than their original prices before.

These prices are also color-coded. Prices highlighted in blue represent best prices, white represent month-long values and red represent everyday prices.

One example of the pricing structure can be found on the store’s website, which compares the prices of a St. John’s Bay women’s shirt. In 2011, the shirt’s original price was $11. In the new pricing system, the shirt’s everyday price is $7, the month-long value is $5 and the best price is $4.

The store is also revamping its return policy. The new policy has no restrictions and appears to be very similar to the retailer Kohl’s. Penney now accepts items purchased more than 90 days ago, small electronics, fine jewelry (including special and personalized orders), special occasion dresses, furniture, gift registry items, made-to-measure window coverings, jcp.com items, salon merchandise, Sephora products and perishable food items.

With a receipt you’ll receive an even exchange or full refund of the purchase price in the original form of payment. With a gift receipt you’ll receive an even exchange or refund at the gift receipt price in the form of a Penney gift card. Without a receipt you’ll receive an even exchange or refund at the current retail price in the form of a gift card.

None of these return scenarios have time limits.

You’ll also see a new face representing the company — Ellen DeGeneres.

DeGeneres has been quoted saying that working at Penney was one of her first jobs, and jokes that she’s happy to have her employee discount again. The new partnership is another part of the effort to usher in a new era for the retailer, which turns 110 this year.

In a press release, Michael Francis, president of J.C. Penney Co., said the company chose DeGeneres because of her “great warmth” and “down-to-earth attitude.” She also has millions of fans.

Looking at the new ads for the retailer, that down-to-earth, fun and vibrant attitude is equally represented in print.

What do you think of the J.C. Penney transformation? Are you more or less likely to shop at the retailer?

Here are some photos from a recent trip I took to the Valley View location:

Even though I find that CVS is generally pretty agreeable when it comes to using coupons (especially with stacking store and manufacturer coupons), they’ve never had a copy of their policy available for the public’s eyes — until now.

Check out the CVS coupon policy here.

There’s nothing too shocking there. The fact that they can’t scan bar codes from smart phones could be a little troublesome for a few people, but I don’t see that being a widespread issue. I’ve actually known some cashiers to scan email coupons from a phone, so it never hurts to ask!

Here’s the biggest standout: They reserve the right to restrict the quantity of identical items you purchase. So, if you go out with the intentions of clearing the shelves, the manager may not allow it.

I’m glad the retailer has finally released their policy. Even though there’s nothing too unexpected on it, I think transparency is the best way to go for businesses (at least as far as coupons are concerned).

Kroger has yet to release a printed version of their coupon policy, they only have the policy concerning digital coupons available to the public. That’s something that always gets under my skin.

So, what do you think of the CVS coupn policy?

Now that you’ve recovered from your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping hangover, you may be asking yourself what you are going to do with all that stuff.

In retrospect, maybe you don’t need that 80-inch TV, five Barbie dolls and eight sets of LEGOs.

Store return policies vary, but luckily some stores give you a break during the holidays. Here’s the fine print to some popular holiday retailers’ return policies, and a few tips for making returns in general:

Amazon:

Items shipped by Amazon between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 are eligible for a full refund through Jan. 31. This is subject to return guidelines specific to the item you’re returning, but it does mean you can shop for gifts with a little more confidence.

Bath & Body Works:

Bath & Body Works has a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. If something doesn’t work out, you can exchange the item or get your money back with a receipt or invoice.

Best Buy:

Best Buy is offering extended holiday returns for purchases made between Nov. 13 and Dec. 24. These products may be returned through Jan. 24 if they meet the terms of the standard return policy. No restocking fees will be applied for these returns, as well.

JC Penney:

JC Penney allows returns for up to 90 days after the purchase. If you have a gift receipt, you will only receive store credit, but the retailer will pay for return shipping and handling on all online purchases.

Kmart:

requires a receipt or email confirmation within 90 days of purchase for items to be returned. For returns and exchanges of air conditioners, gas-powered equipment and jewelry and watches, you must visit the retailer within 30 days with the original receipt or e-mail. Refunds will not be given for any items without a receipt or e-mail confirmation.

Kohl’s:

will accept any item, for any reason, at any time. If you have your receipt, no matter how many days after the original purchase date, you’ll receive a full refund or even exchange. If you don’t have your receipt, Kohl’s will give you a refund, an exchange or store credit in the amount of the current price (or last known price) of the item.

Macy’s:

gives shoppers 180 days to return most purchases with the exception of jewelry, which has a deadline of 30 days. Anyone with a gift receipt will receive a store credit or exchange.

Macys.com orders can be returned for a full refund in most cases, less shipping costs. For exchanges, shipping for the new item will be free. Many Macys.com orders can be returned to your local Macy’s store, just be sure to bring your invoice.

Sears;

accepts returns or exchanges for up to 90 days past the purchase date, but you must have the product in its original packaging and with the original receipt or e-mail confirmation. Sears also accepts returns in-store for most Sears.com purchases.

Target:

accepts returns on unused items within 90 days of the original purchase. Some items can’t be returned if they’ve been opened (like music, movies, video games and computer software) and an exchange is your only option.

If you don’t have a receipt, it may not be a problem. In most instances, Target stores can verify purchases made in stores and on Target.com within the last 90 days on a credit or debit card, check or gift card. However, returns and exchanges without a receipt may be limited. Store refunds will be issued in the same form of payment originally used for purchase.

Target.com purchases must be returned with all of the original packaging and accessories. Most online purchases can be made in-store as well as by mail. The credit card used to make the purchase or packing slip is necessary to make these returns.

Toys R Us and Babies R Us:

Online purchases can be returned by mail within 90 days and the original form of payment will be refunded. If you received a gift through the mail, return or exchange the items at your local retailer for store credit.

In-store purchases can also be returned within 90 days for a full refund as long as they are in new or like-new condition, in the original packaging and with all paperwork (manuals, assembly instructions and your in-store receipt).

Walmart:

Most items can be returned for a full refund within 90 days of purchase (with some exceptions in the electronics department) if you have the receipt.

If you don’t have a receipt, you have the option of a cash refund (for purchases under $25), a gift card for the amount of the purchase (for purchases over $25) or an even exchange for the product. You can make up to three no-receipt returns within a 45-day period.

Online purchases can be returned at any store. Shipping costs will be refunded if the retailer made a mistake, and items must be returned in the original manufacturer’s packaging.

To simplify returns:

* Pay in cash whenever possible. If a credit card was used, many retailers require the original card to get a full refund and not store credit.

* Ask about fees associated with returning products. Many stores charge restocking fees for high-dollar or large merchandise, but some waive these fees around the holidays (like Best Buy).

* If there’s any question, research the retailer. The Better Business Bureau offers free business reviews at www.bbb.org or by calling 800-646-6222. You can find information about what types of complaints the business has had and see what its overall BBB rating is.

* If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Search for the retailer’s return policy online or in the store before making a purchase. If you can’t find it online, look for a phone number and talk to a person. A phone number that doesn’t work or isn’t available is a major red flag.

Where have you had good, or bad, experiences with returns?

Photo by Walmartstores.com

Be sure you hold on to any ads containing products you’re interested in Nov. 1 through Dec. 25, because you might be able to get some money back with the Wal-Mart Christmas Price Guarantee.

This program is offering shoppers Wal-Mart gift cards containing the price difference of a product advertised for less at another store. Now, to get the deal you’ll need to show Customer Service the ad and your Wal-Mart receipt (both dated between Nov. 1 and Dec. 25).

The product must be identical to what you’ve already purchased (the same brand, size, color, quantity, grade and model number), and be available at competitor’s stores located within the same local market as your particular Wal-Mart store.

One thing about this deal that I think is especially great: items on layaway will be eligible. A few things that aren’t so great: Black Friday and Internet deals are not eligible.

What do you think about this program? Will you be using it to save on your holiday shopping?

I received an email from Redbox yesterday outlining their new prices. The price for daily DVD rentals is increasing, but the price of Blu-Ray and game rentals will stay the same. Here’s what the email said:

“Starting on Monday, October 31, the daily rental charge for DVDs will change to $1.20 a day.* The price change is due to rising operating expenses, including new increases in debit card fees. Daily rental charges for Blu-ray™ Discs and video games won’t change.** Additional-day charges for DVDs rented before 10/31 won’t be affected, either.

In order to make the transition easier, Redbox will discount the first day of all online DVD rentals to $1.00 from 10/31 through 11/30. Additional rental days will be $1.20.***

If you have any questions, please visit redbox.com/pricechange. There, we’ve provided additional information. ”

*Daily rental charge will be $1.27 in Maryland.
**Maryland pricing for Blu-ray and games: $1.59 a day for Blu-ray; $2.12 a day for games.
***Maryland pricing for online reservations: $1.00 the first day, $1.27 for additional days. May not combine offers. Normal rental fees apply after first day.

This price increase isn’t entirely surprising, especially after we saw Netflix prices change so drastically a few months ago.

Will this change your rental habits?

One of my first shopping memories is going to Hills Department Store in Roanoke and shopping for clothes at the end of every season — bathing suits, shorts and T-shirts at the end of summer and winter coats, jeans and sweaters at the end of winter.

My mother would dig through the clearance clothes, picking out a variety of pieces a couple of sizes too big, and place them on layaway. By the time I needed those clothes, they fit perfectly and we had paid a fraction of their original prices.

 Since those days, I haven’t considered using layaway again, and the option had fallen by the wayside. With the recent economic condition, though, many stores are revitalizing their layaway programs.

 For example, Walmart stores will be offering a Christmas layaway program for toys and electronics beginning Oct. 17. The program will run through Dec. 16, allowing families to pay off gifts before the holidays. To participate, customers must be placing at least $50 of merchandise on layaway, and each product must be at least $15 or more.

Though this is just one store offering the service, it provides a good example of the notable aspects of layaway. There is a $5 service fee when items are placed on layaway, and the customer must make a 10 percent down payment on the total purchase. Additionally, there will be a $10 fee for any canceled orders or those that are not picked up by Dec. 16.

Each store has a variation on these fees, but these numbers are on par with Walmart’s competitors. The service and cancellation fees are what shoppers should really look out for.

If the fees make up more than 10 percent of the value of the items, consumers might reconsider if the deal is worth it — these fees (excluding the down payment) are not put toward the total payment.

But layaway can be a great alternative to purchasing on credit. The service can help shoppers stick to a monthly budget, but still afford occasional luxury and high-dollar purchases. It also allows consumers to make purchases during the costly holiday season without threatening their credit limit.

It’s still important to have a budget when using layaway. Payments can quickly add up if too much is placed on layaway, possibly causing shoppers to spend even more on cancellation fees.

Some local stores that also offer layaway include Burlington Coat Factory, Kmart, Sears, Toys R Us, Hallmark, Marshalls and T.J. Maxx. Some Best Buy locations also offer layaway, but none in the Roanoke Valley.

Pros and cons of layaway

Pros

* Layaway allows you to pay off purchases gradually without putting your credit in danger.

* Many stores allow customers to place sale and clearance items on layaway.

*You can reserve high-demand and high-dollar items you couldn’t normally afford all at once.

* If you carry a balance on your credit card, layaway is often cheaper than the interest you would pay on a high credit card bill.

Cons

* Placing items on layaway means you can’t take advantage of future price drops or sales.

* The fees can add up quickly if you miss a payment or have to cancel your order.

* Most stores require a minimum purchase and down payment be made on layaway items, which can still be a high out-of-pocket amount.

* Layaway encourages shoppers to spend more than they have available at that time, so you must have a strict budget planned. so you don’t overspend

Have you used layaway successfully, or will you be trying it this holiday season?

In the past CVS has been one of those retailers that makes it almost impossible to get firm answers on their coupon policy. Recently the store posted the policy online though, and there are a few points of interest.

* “CVS/pharmacy does not currently accept coupon bar code images displayed on a smartphone, iPhone, Droid etc.”
I’ve seen cashiers accept coupons from a shopper’s email on occassion, so if you’re in a bind because you forgot to print something you should still give this a try.

* “In the event that any item’s price is less than the value of the coupon, CVS/pharmacy will accept the coupon only to the price of the item. CVS/pharmacy does not provide cash back in exchange for any coupons.”
This isn’t especially surprising, but it is worth noting that Walmart does give cash back if a coupon has a higher value than the product.

* “CVS/pharmacy accepts one third-party manufacturer coupon and applicable CVS/pharmacy coupon(s) for the purchase of a single item, unless prohibited by either coupon offer.”
This means stacking coupons on a single item is a no-no. Very few stores allow stacking any more, but at least here you can still combine your manufacturer and CVS coupons/ExtraBucks (Target, Walgreens and other stores have the same policy).

To view the entire coupon policy, click here.

What do you think of the updated CVS coupon policy?

The cost of textbooks can really add up, so consider some of these options before visiting the bookstore. Photo by collegetocareers.com.

As if the price of college wasn’t high enough, purchasing new textbooks each semester can add up to hundreds of dollars.

Sadly, the buy back options offered at most bookstores will not offer a pay out  at even half of the original cost. One semester, not too many years ago, I recall my books totaling more than $600.  But I couldn’t tell you what I sold the books back for —  I think I blocked out the experience because it was so bad.

Today there are a lot of options for students looking to save a buck on books. With the growing popularity of  e-books  and online communities made for buying and selling used books, students are no longer forced to pay the high prices at campus bookstores. They also have a better opportunity to earn their money back with more selling options.

Rentals
Textbook rental is a great option if you  need a book for only part of a semester, or if the book is likely to be timely only for a short time.
Websites such as Chegg.com, CampusBookRentals.com and BookRenter.com  all offer new or used books for various lengths of time. You are free to write and highlight in the books, and each website does have a grace period for risk-free returns if there are any issues with the book(s).

CampusBookRentals.com claims that “students typically see a savings of 50 percent to 85 percent over new or used purchases. Some students will see even greater savings of up to 90 or 95 percent.” Similarly, BookRenter.com says their rentals can save students up to 80 percent. 

You can also save on shipping with this route. CampusBookRentals.com ships orders with prepaid envelopes, BookRentals.com offers free UPS return shipping and Chegg.com offers printable, prepaid UPS return labels.

Amazon.com  has recently revealed a new option for those interested in renting digital copies of textbooks. Amazon offers electronic texts that can be read on the Amazon Kindle , or any other products with Kindle reading software (smartphones, PCs, iPads and more). The software can be downloaded for free on Amazon.com.

Students can still make notes on the text with the software and the notes will be saved in their account even after the rental has expired. Then, the notes can be accessed by the reader if the book is ever re-rented or bought.
Amazon  e-rentals can save students up to 80 percent on their books, and books can be rented for any time between 30 and 360 days. One of the positive aspects of this option is that the text can be accessed instantly after downloaded.

Buying used
Most students can find used books at their campus bookstores, but prices can still be high. Amazon and Barnes & Noble  both sell used textbooks online, and they are often a fraction of the new and used list prices.
Students can search for a book online, and then choose from the various sellers available. Some sellers offer free shipping, but even with shipping costs many of these books are still a great value.

These sites often note the condition of the book as well, so students have an idea of what they’re getting. Because Amazon and Barnes & Noble both deal with independent sellers, it’s important to check the return policy of each before you make a purchase. Checking the seller’s past reviews is also a good idea.

EBay  is another option for buying used texts. The amount of information included by the seller varies more here (they’re not required to include certain information about the condition of the book, for example), but finding a reputable seller can mean big savings.

Selling texts
Campus bookstores will buy back texts at the end of the semester, but it’s not always the best deal. Often the buy back price is a small fraction of what you originally paid, and some books that are not being used the following semester are not bought back at all.

Selling books through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and eBay  is often the most profitable option. There, you can set your own price comparable to other sellers — higher for a book in like-new condition, lower for one that has some scratches or is missing any supplemental material. You can also list your textbooks at the most profitable times, such as in the weeks before fall and spring semesters begin.

Both Amazon and Barnes & Noble will take a small percentage of the sale, but even with this fee you usually still make more money than selling back to the bookstore.

When you’re shipping the books out, remember to ask for the book/media mail rate. Shoppers pay for shipping when the books are bought through Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and that money is credited to you when your check for the sale is sent. This set shipping fee often exceeds the actual cost of shipping.

Amazon also has a new trade-in program. Students can send in their eligible books, and within approximately two business days their account will be credited with a digital Amazon gift card containing the quoted amount. This gift card can be used on anything on the site, not just books.

Shop around
If you’re looking for an easy way to find the best price on used textbooks, check out Fetchbook.info.

After entering the keyword, author or ISBN number of the book, you’ll find a list of various sellers with the book. EBay, Amazon and Barnes & Noble are all retailers included in the search.

How do you save money on textbooks?