Is it just me, or are the stores full of crap this year?

[LisaM]

Honestly, every shopping trip I've made has been a bust. I don't like shopping online, and have been out and about shopping for my loved ones, but the stores are really disappointing. I can't even tell going into some stores what their motif is supposed to be, what they are supposed to be selling. They are full of novelty and impulse items, but I can't find good, solid stuff. In particular, I'm looking for fireplace gloves (used to have them at Eddie Bauer Home, but the Eddie Bauer home store has vanished and the regular store is full of GARBAGE), and a gold turtleneck SWEATER (not cotton shirt) for my brother, who coaches a team whose colors are gold and black. I gave up on that (even tried online) and ended up getting him a gold pullover with a black shirt to wear under it that looks like it should be worn by a gangster.

And it's like that at all the stores. It's been a rotten shopping year.

[SoyCat]

1. I noticed the same thing. I'm just glad most of the people on my list are happy

to receive books, cds, food, homemade woolens, and items made by local artists. I don't think I've ever seen so much plastic, glitzy, gaudy crap in stores as this season. I'll bet most of it is in landfills in less than a year. *So sad*:cry:

[itsmesgd]

2. it's always crap

chimp told us to go shopping. All the stuff is made in China. So is he encouraging us to go increase the deficit.

I hate the mall. I had to go today to pick up one of the last obligatory gifts.

[LisaM]

7. Actually, some years I find really nice stuff

This is not one of those years.

[Efilroft Sul]

3. But... but... Visa is the reason for the season! n/t

[cwydro]

4. LL Bean

my favorite and always have been.

[greatauntoftriplets]

5. Are you near a Restoration Hardware???

They usually have fireplace gloves.

[LisaM]

6. I am, I went there, and they didn't have them

or they didn't think they did (that's what the clerk told me - "I don't THINK we have them"! She never actually went and looked or asked anyone.) I went and tried to look but couldn't find them either. I did, however, walk out with two horrendously heavy sets of bookends, one of the Brooklyn Bridge and the other of the Golden Gate Bridge. They were overpriced, too, but at least I liked them.