"Some Exclusions Apply" (Holiday Shopping)

[exlurker]

In this thread we admire the genius of U.S. retail advertising during the holiday season. Lots of offers, lots of fine print .

Here's an example from one of the May Co. department stores:

Coupon:

"Take an extra 15% off the sale or clearance prince of a single item in Women's Apparel, Shoes or Accessories, Outerwear, Young contemporary Clothing, Intimate Apparel, Fine Jewelry or Fur Salon."

"Excludes Women's Designer Apparel. Other restrictions and exclusions apply. See newspaper or sales associate for details.*"

(there are similar coupons for "Men's clothing, Shoes or Accesories," "Kids Clothing, Shoes or Accessories," and "Home" or "Luggage." The asterisk on the coupon leads you to the bottom left of the newspaper ad:

"*. . . May not be used on the following: Prior Purchases; Mail and Phone Orders; Merchandise Locate; Exceptional Value and Regular-Priced Items; Women's Designer Apparel; Women's Contemporary Sportswear; BCBG Maz Azaria; Lauren Ralph Lauren; MICHAEL Michael Kors; St. John; Lilly Pulitzer; Mimi Maternity; Coach Handbags; Louis Vuitton; Tumi; Tommy Bahama; Men's Tailored; Men's Outerwear; Spyder; Sharper Image; Polo Ralph Lauren; Ralph Lauren childrenswear; Kids Outerwear; Sterling Silver Flatware; Consumer Electronics; Labrazel; Waterworks Bath; Fur Services; Bridal Salon; Designer and Bridal Jewelry and Fine Jewelry Watches; Furniture; Floor Coverings; Lamps; Furniture-to-go; Mattresses; Window Treatments; Handmade Oriental Rugs; other select Partner Businesses -- see sales associate for details."

Makes me want to rush right in and see if a coupon might be good on a pair of socks left over from last summer.

Does anyone else get tired of all the "exclusions' and short-term sales (one day, two day, 5-hour, and so on -- heaven forbid you should have anything planned for the day a store picks for a sale)? Or do I just have a really bad case of December crankiness this year?

[Taualumna]

This totally sucks! You can't buy any of the good stuff!! You go to a sale expecting to buy something nice and you're left with all these restrictions!!!!!

[33girl]

umm, this isn't just the holiday season. This is every sale they have year round, if you look at the coupons - May Co AND Federated. It's annoying, but it has zero to do with Christmas shopping.

[trojangal]

Cosign!

I so know that feeling. Went out this weekend because a local store was having a weekend for public servants. Anyone who was a teacher, firefigher, police officer, nurse, etc. who showed their ID received some great perks: two free deluxe gift wraps, a hospitality room, two $10gift checks for after Christmas purchases, 20% off purchases (10% off home items) except for the standard exclusions which was in really small print at the bottom.

One thing that is interesting..another retailer does a "charity sale" about twice a year where shopping is from 6am to 9am and the tickets are sold by local groups who are fundraising. They usually are about $5 for the privilege to come in and shop early. These days they do allow the % to be taken off Fine Fragances, Cosmetics, and most items not normally discounted.