Bra Matters
Getting fitted for and buying quality bras is a discovery I made last year that has literally changed my life. If you have larger breasts (and even if you don’t) spending a little more for the RIGHT bra can cut your bra purchases down significantly while transforming the way you look and feel! Many department stores will fit you for free, and there are also specialty boutiques that will not only fit you, but will make slight alterations to customize your fit for free when you buy a higher quality bra.
I used to buy 3-4 bras twice a year, but now, I buy just 2-3 a year! Sure, they cost more individually upfront, but in the end the quality and service I get has actually saved me money in addition to making be feel and look better!
Hemming & Hawing
Whenever a guy goes to buy a suit, alterations are typically included in the price – so unfair! But did you know that if you shop at a department store like Nordstrom or Von Maur, you can likely get your slacks and sleeves hemmed for free as well?! So before you spend money on an outfit for work or a special occasion, consider shopping at a place that will save from you from having to take something to the tailor! In addition, Steph was delighted to find that many specialty jeans boutiques will also hem for free – even though she splurged on her favorite AG Jeans at their Beverly Hills store, their hemming was not only free but extremely high quality, including using the original hem!
Department stores that pride themselves on their customer service, typically extend this free service for simple alteration, but do check before you go and look for this hidden deal!
Buy from the Locals
When you’re purchasing an expensive item like a dishwasher or washing machine, you should really do your homework- including finding out what the customer service plan is when you need to get something repaired. Often times we turn to Home Depot or Sears first to get the best deals, but don’t overlook your local appliance store because you think that they will be more expensive. My mother swears that buying appliances from her local store has saved her tons over the years! Not only does she find that their prices have remained competitive, but the service they have provided her over the years has been totally worth it – even if it costs her a little more up front!
So there you have it – Fab & Fru actually telling you to spend more – sometimes! We all need to remind ourselves that at times getting a great deal has to do with much more than just the ticket price. The next time you are evaluating how to save money on a purchase, think back to some of these tips – you just might save in the long run by spending a bit more up front!
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You are so right. I live in the Midwest and shop at Von Maur sometimes. They are very much into customer service and wrap and ship purchases for free. Like you said, their simple alterations are free and if you are short like me and need your pants hemmed, this can really save you time and aggravation and $.
Definitely agree with all of these things! Especially – the Apple piece – Nothing beats the Apple Care Plan and I typically hate extended service/warranty plans. Great post!
Denise
http://www.frugalluxe.com
Even though I am the Queen of Bargains I totally agree with you. I wrote an article entitled, “When is an expensive haircut a bargain.” Just because something is cheap doesn’t make it worthwhile. Sometimes you need to pay the extra bucks to get something you really want that will last a long time. Something that only lasts a week that you paid $10 for is more expensive than something you paid $40 for that lasts 2 months. How much does it really cost in the long run?
http://bobbisbargains.blogspot.com/search/label/Best%20hairstylist%20ever
[...] said it before – spending a little bit more for quality and customer service usually saves you money in to long run. However, many companies forget that it is a competitive [...]