I do most of the shopping for my family, and I find I actually save money by going to slightly nicer stores and shopping their good sales instead of going to that particular “dress-up” store where they don’t usually do sales. That way, I pay less and get better customer service.
I also try to go early Saturday morning or during the day on weekdays, to avoid the potentially lethal crowds.
A helpful hint for the holidays: grocery stores that sell everything else too will probably be more crowded than grocery stores that sell just groceries, at least for the next two weeks…

Well, there probably were too damn many people in that store, let’s face it.

I really thought there would be less people shopping this season, we’re certainly spending less.

I never dress up to go shopping. I hate shopping. I just hope to survive the stress to my system of shopping, who cares what I’m wearing in any fancy schmancy store that must not be named.

Not to defend the actions of the Customer SVC MGR, but i have found through sad experience that many of the shoppers of that store, which must not be named, become mindless zombies upon entrance. These zombies roam the aisles without regard for their fellow consumers. Common courtesy is non-existent.

The aforementioned zombies fall into several groups. Here are my personal favorites:
1. The Clumps–This group is usually found clumping together to clog up the major
walkways. If approached they usually stare vacantly back, continue their
dialogue, and refuse to disperse.
2. The Invaders–This species of consumer zombie usually appears in a hurry (although
they may or may not actually be in said hurry). As you wait your turn in an aisle,
compare prices, or otherwise remain motionless for more than 5 seconds this zombie
reaches through, over, under, and around to get at that precious item that you have
blocked from its view.
3. The Great Barrier Zombie–This species is perhaps the most deadly. They often
occur in unrelated pairs that somehow gravitate to the same locations. The GBZ
positions its cart at the perfect location to prevent anyone from passing
by them. They then wander around the cart, completely oblivious to the presence of
anyone else. The GBZ will defend its position to the death. Often 2 GBZ’s will
establish barriers in close proximity to one another effectively shutting down the
flow of traffic through the aisle.
Any of these alone are dangerous, but the gathering of more than one species results in complete bedlam.

I’d like to see an expose’ of Walmart’s and Meijer’s use of subliminals in background music and scents. I get an “oogie” feeling every time I walk into one of those stores that I don’t get, or haven’t noticed, in other stores.