Trina's page of Blogginess

When Dick and I got engaged, we joked that the only reason why we wanted to get married was so that we could register for All Clad cookware. We were kidding, of course, but we did receive many wonderful All Clad pieces as gifts, and we use them all regularly.

It's been almost five years since we got our non-stick 12" frying pan. We use it at least once or twice a week, sometimes more.

Over time, it began to lose some of it's non-stick qualities. It never went away completely, but a non-stick pan isn't non-stick if it sticks, even just a little.

I remembered reading a long time ago that All Clad cookware comes with a lifetime warranty against any product defects. I didn't know if this included the non-stick surfaces or not, because I figured that was something that just wouldn't last forever.

I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask anyway, so I called All Clad a few weeks ago, and described my pan. They told me to send them the pan, along with a note with a description of the problem, and that they would review it. I asked if a non-non-stick pan was something that would be considered for replacement, and she said it certainly would.

I figured we didn't have anything to lose, so I wrote a nice letter describing my pans non-non-stickiness, along with how long we've had it, and how we use it. As instructed, I boxed it up, and sent it with a confirmation of delivery to All Clad's return center in New Jersey.

I tracked my package, which took less than a week to get to them. That was about two weeks ago.

Yesterday, the nice UPS man delivered a brand-spanking-new 12" non-stick frying pan!

Nice!

I wonder how many people have had the non-stick surface wear down over time, but don't know or don't bother to send their pans in for review.

I was already a huge fan, but now I'm loving All Clad even more!

Thanks, All Clad!
(and see, you even got a nice blog write up!)

Labels: bargain queen, cooking, webTrina

this made me laugh. If you know me, you know I love Costco! :)

(Bruce is my cousin, for those of you who don't know)

breyeschow: Waiting for the, "You need four new tires." call. (@ Borders)
about 2 hours ago

trinachow: @breyeschow i just got 4 new tires installed today at Costco. :) $70 off coupon through end of the month.
about 1 hour ago

breyeschow: @trinachow you and costco . . . tires, caskets . . . did you meet Dick there too ;-) Already at our shop doing some other work, but thanks.
about 1 hour ago

Labels: bargain queen, funny ha-ha

I've said it before: the $2.50 shoe shine at Nordstrom in San Francisco
Center is the best deal in SF!


After getting our shoes shined, I noticed this... is the Miami Vice
look (pastel t-shirts worn under short sleeved button down shirts -
with the sleeves rolled up) back in?! Say it isn't so!

Labels: bargain queen, san francisco

Or... "Why it never hurts to ask..."

I love it when this happens...

Just over two weeks ago, Dick and I bit the bullet and bought a Wii. I had toyed with the idea of getting one well over a year ago - back in the days when they were sold out, and impossible to find. Once they were back on the shelves, we considered getting one again, but we kept putting it off, and putting it off, but of course, it was inevitable. I finally played one when I was in Chicago visiting Tammy and her Mom, and I was hooked!

We bought our Wii at Costco on Sunday, September 13th from our local Costco. The price of the unit was $244.99 - $5.00 off regular price. We also bought Costco's Wii accessory pack, which includes an additional controller, an additional nunchuck, and a wheel. We then drove across the street to Best Buy, and bought a few more accessories and a couple of games. While we were at Best Buy, we noticed that they offered Wii combo packs, which included most of the things we ended up buying, also at a reduced price. Okay, good to know.

We brought our Wii home, set it up, and have been having a blast with it. Super Fun!

We loved it so much, that we went to Best Buy the following weekend, and bought one of those handy Wii combo packs for my Sister and her boyfriend as their housewarming gift.

All was well in the Wii World.

...until I noticed a headline two days later that stated that Nintendo was going to drop the price of the Wii by $50.00.

Really?

I'd waited all this time, and when I finally buy not just one unit, but two units, the price drops?!

Whatever.... We'd already opened and played them, so I figured it was a lost cause. Not a huge biggie, but still a bummer.

Until today...

This afternoon, I was back at Costco (it's obviously a regular pilgrimage for me) and there I saw the Wii units with their new price of $194.99. *sigh*

When I went to check out, I asked my cashier about their policy of price drops. I figured it was a long shot, but I might as well ask.

Well, he didn't blink and said all I needed to do was to bring my receipt to the return counter and have them issue me a refund for the price difference.

Cool!

So, I came home, picked up my receipts, and headed back out.

Sure enough - no problem at all. I was credited $54.75 back onto my Costco Am Ex.

Sweet.

So then, I went across the street to Best Buy. I went to the Customer Service Counter, receipt in hand, and again, I was credited $54.75 to my credit card.

Yep - that's $109.50 that I wouldn't have gotten back if I hadn't asked.

I've gotta say that I'm pretty impressed with both stores right now. I realize that they don't have to go out of their way to do price adjustments for you, but I sure do appreciate that they did it at all.

Happy Day. I love saving money. :)

Labels: bargain queen, webTrina

A few months ago, I decided to start participating in online surveys. The way they work is that you sign up with a company, they sent you emails to surveys to take online, you spend a few minutes answering their questions about your shopping habits, you earn points for each survey you take, and you eventually cash your points out in the form of a check.

I think I came across the company that I signed up for through facebook. I figured it could be kind of fun to do during my downtime. why not?

As I said, most of the surveys are conducted online. It may be about your grocery shopping habits, electronics, marketing opinion, etc., Today, I received a package in the mail from the survey company. Inside the box were two rolls of paper towels, and instructions to please replace my current paper towels with these, and to use them exclusively for the next two weeks. At the end of the two weeks, I'll receive another online survey specifically about the paper towels.

The funny thing is: it's the exact same brand of paper towels that we already use.

Even funnier: a few months ago, they sent me 8 rolls of toilet paper, which again, was the same brand as I already buy.

So, it's kind of cool. I get some cash, and some free products and get to be opinionated. How bad could that be?

Labels: bargain queen

As most of you know, I'm a huge fan of shopping at Costco. I've been going to Costco (and Price Club before that) for well over 20 years.

...but I've never had this experience before!

Yesterday, I went to Costco to pick up just a few things. My list wasn't long, but we were running low on tissue.

I went to the return line first. I had bought a few things a couple of months ago that for one-reason-or-another didn't work out. BTW: Costco has the best return policy ever. My return credit (which was put back onto my Costco Am Ex Card) was around $75.00. Now, I realize that a return doesn't count as "getting money back" but it's better than spending money on something that isn't being used.

I did my shopping around the warehouse, and it turns out that I really didn't need much this time around. I got my TP (with a $2 coupon!), tissue, some juice and another random thing or two that I can't recall.

Anyhow, I get to the register, and the total comes to just under $50. Pretty low for a Costco bill.

But, here's the thing: I had a rebate check sent to me in the amount of $90.00. (I have an Executive membership and get 1-3% back on purchases for the year.)

I assumed that since my bill was lower than my rebate check, that I wouldn't be able to use it this time around, and would have to wait until another time when I purchased more.

It's a good thing I asked, because they said, "Of course you can use it!"

They took my rebate check, deducted the $50ish purchase, and gave me $40 back in cash!

So, I actually left Costco with more money than I went in with.

That's never happened before!
Thanks, Costco.

Labels: bargain queen

That's Me!

Yesterday, I went shopping with my sister at an Army Surplus Store in Santa Clara. She's been looking for a certain type of jacket, and we thought we might find one there (we didn't).

I wasn't looking to buy anything. But, you know, there are times when things literally jump out at you, and you just can't help yourself.

Somehow, I managed to find 4 things that I apparently "needed" that I didn't even know!

First off, I found a great wide-brimmed sun hat! I've been thinking I should get one for when we go to Hawaii later this year. It was 20% off, too!

The next thing I found was a great, RED Pea Coat! I've been coveting a pea coat for many years now, and I loved that this one is red, and that's it's "authentic". It was the only red pea coat there, and it just happened to be in my size. As well made wool coats go, the price was right, too!

So, yeah. There's two items that I wasn't planning to buy that I couldn't resist.

But then... we walked by the clearance rack, my sister saw these great women's t-shirts that said "Dickies" on the front. Dickies is a clothing company that makes work clothes that I'm guessing are well made, and long lasting, and are sold at the army suplus store.

It appears that they have a line for girls/women called Dickies Girl. (who knew?) Anyhow, I bought two t-shirts (because I couldn't choose) which were on clearance for only $6 each. They crack me up! (I'm not sure how amused Dick is, but my sister and I both thought that they were super funny!)

Here's one of the shirts that I got:


Gotta love that.

Labels: bargain queen

The annual trek. This year's total: 11 items for $75. :)

Labels: bargain queen

A few years ago, I signed up for a Costco American Express Cash Rebate Card. As you may know, Costco does not take Visa or Mastercard, but it does accept AmEx, Discover and Bank Debit cards.

For years, I used my ATM/Debit card, which was fine, but I would have much preferred to just charge everything to a credit card and pay the lump sum in full at the end of the month.

Enter the Costco AmEx Card. This card, with no annual fee, not only allowed me to charge my Costco purchases, but also gave me 1-3% back in a Costco Rebate check each year. Handy dandy. The breakdown for how much percentage you'll get in a rebate is: 3% for dining out, 2% on travel expenses, and 1% for purchases everywhere else, including Costco (but not including gasoline, alcohol, or cigarettes) . Usually, I only qualify for the 1% tier, since I only use my AmEx card at Costco.

Well, apparently, they introduced a new card last year called the "TrueEarnings Card" from American Express and Costco. The rebate schematic is the same as before, except now, starting in February, you can also receive 3% back on gas purchases! Not bad.

Here's the thing: if you had a AmEx/Costco Platinum Card (like I do) you have to call the number on the back of the card, and have them actually switch you over to the new card.

No reason not to do it (which I just confirmed with the sales rep who helped me out). It's the same rebate structure, with the addition to the 3% rebate for gasoline. Still, no fees, etc.,

...and that's your handy-dandy Costco tip of the day! :)

Labels: bargain queen

Tammy and I have had such a great day (already!).


Gap Clearance Center, Hebron, KY

As I've mentioned from previous years, one of our favorite activities during our girl's weekend in WGI is when we make the drive over the border of Kentucky to do some serious shopping at the Gap Clearance Center!

We were not disappointed! Some great clothes, and wonderful bargains were found!

To summarize: I bought 5 pairs of pants (2 of which are for my Mom and my Sister), 1 pair of spandex leggings (been wanted to get some of these for a while) 5 tops, and one pair of sandels.

"How Much?" you say?

You'll never believe it...

To top it off, as we were nearing the check-out counter, a nice woman approached us, offering a 20% off coupon!

"So how much was it?"

But wait... there's more!

They also threw in a free Gap CD - which I'm listening to right now, and it's really great!

So, lets summarize again...

5 pairs of pants
5 tops
1 pair of leggings
1 pair of sandles
1 music CD
6% Kentucky Sales Tax

(minus 20%)

Grand Total: $73.68.

Oh, yeah!

webTrina strikes again!

For the record, Tammy found 2 pairs of pants, 4 tops, a jacket and a bag. She paid under $50.

This is why we love coming here!

After our early afternoon shopping spree, we drove back to Dayton to our favorite little High Tea Restaurant, which we just found last year.

The food was amazing: great tea, tea sandwiches, scones, and pastries.
All for $12/person.

I'm telling you, there are some great buys here!


Afternoon High Tea in Dayton!

We're taking a quick break in our fabulous hotel room, resting up for the big night ahead.

WGI Finals is tonight!

....followed by a late night at headquarters!

Labels: bargain queen, webTrina, wgi