Liberty’s Kids – $5.00

The fabulous Lori told me about this special. I LOVE LIBERTY’s KIDS! This series was on TV back when my 19-year-old was little and it’s a great series that reinforces your child’s American History lessons.  For only $5? You’ve got to be kidding me! Love, love, love, this deal!

A Ladies’ Shawl – under $5.00

I didn’t bother posting a picture because there are so many inexpensive scarves to choose from, but if you’re looking for a little something extra for you, this is a nice addition.  Great idea, Linda.

5-Piece Stylus Set for your iPhone – $1.14

This is pure genius. Never in a thousand years would I have thought to get extra styli for my smartphone…maybe because I don’t have one, but these are so cheap, I might have to get some anyway! Good stocking stuffers, too. Thanks, Sherri for the tip!

Wilton Holiday 6-piece Cookie Cutters – $5.76

Cookie Cutters! I never think to buy cookie cutters, but every December when I’m making Grandma Laura’s Sugar Cookies, I wished I had. Plus, if these get you free shipping, then they paid for themselves! I owe you one, Heather.

Batteries! – Starting at $3.99

“Oops, I bought too many batteries. We’ll never use these!” – said no one ever! Not a glamorous purchase, but so practical. Karla is a smart cookie!

Dover Books –  $1.50 and up

These Dover books can buy you hours of silence when you most need it. They have holiday books, science books, coloring books, and all sorts of activities to keep the kiddos occupied. What a bargain! Mary suggests keeping a few in your purse for a surprise when you’re stuck in a waiting room.

Other ideas suggested by the Facebook posse – hair products, jewelry, Christmas socks, chocolate, yarn, craft glue, Scotch tape, ginger candy, ear buds, throw pillow, and holiday stickers.

Of course, I’d be remiss if I neglected the Number One Answer of the night…

A BOOK!

We can’t have too many books, can we? As much as we authors love to write and research, if we don’t sell books eventually we have to get a real job. So, if you’re looking to reach your free shipping, don’t forget you can always toss a book into the cart, too!

Thanks so much and Merry Christmas!

Love,

Regina

The post Amazon Free Shipping Hacks appeared first on Author Regina Jennings.

PLAIN TALK for your BENEFIT

We Beg of You to Read it All, It Will Open Your Eyes

A few years ago such a things as sending away for goods was almost unknown, but now the custom is becoming so popular that it bids fair to soon be the medium for purchasing the larger portion of goods the consumer uses… Retail dealers, however, undertake to convince their customers that all advertising houses will swindle them. We shall take the position of fighting them with their own weapons. We will…undertake to give you the points and you can draw yours own conclusions.

     The retailer’s hobby is to make himself socially as popular as possible, and if his town supports any secret or other societies he endeavors to make himself an influential member, using at all times the social garb to attract and bring him trade…Step into his store at any time and you will find him gossiping with a neighbor merchant, reading the newspaper or both as he and his clerks are cleaning up and polishing some of the old shop-worn goods that have been in the house for years, trying to make them look like new. 

     His store, in order that he may be successful, must be located on the best part of the best street in the town where the rent is very high; his fuel and lighting expenses are very large, besides clerk hire, care of the store, interest on the investment, profits, his own living (and he usually lives very well), all of which must be included. Take into consideration all these expenses, then consider the small number of sales he makes during the year, and you can understand how he must have from 33 1/3 to 100 per cent gross profit on every article he sells. If it is not fraud to sell goods for twice what they are worth, it is certainly the next thing to it.

I thought this interesting, how the Sears corporation took the time to paint the everyday activities of their competition as something devious. Also, isn’t it fascinating how the local retailers had to compete with the newcomer…mail order goods? Reminds me of the concerns we now have about online retailers.

How about you? Do you see any similarities? Whose side do you tend to take – the local retailer or the less expensive wholesaler?

The post Warning About Your Local Retailer appeared first on Author Regina Jennings.