Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A Nordic(ware) Tale

Have you seen these beautiful cake mold pans from Nordicware? Those castle, heart, and maple leaf ones? Especially the maple leaf ones? Those are sooooo cute! Well, I finally did last year at Walmart in one of their clearance aisles. So the stalking began...

In most places, these puppies command a retail of up to $40 (ok, $39.99), but of course Walmart, touted as the "Low Prices" King of retail, managed to slap on a decent $24.97 tag on the maple leaf molds. Did I jump at that $15 difference? Of course not! It's only close to 40% off, but not quite at 37% (see Trade Secret #5), so NO, I didn't get it! (Did you think I would though, huh? Huh?)

Back to Walmart, November 2008... So right after Thanksgiving, I saw three of these Nordicware molds on clearance- $24.97 down to $19.97 ($5 off)- NO!

Almost Christmas, scoped out the last two- $19.97 down to $17.97 ($2 off)- NO! (The beautiful and smart "Brain" firmly set the "grab it" price at $12.50 and lower. I listen to her a lot!)

Yesterday... surprised to see the last one in the clearance aisle in between two badly chipped Autumn ceramic bowls-without a tag (you'll see). I quickly grabbed it ("Brain" said so) and hoped for the nearest price scanner (NONE btw, Walmart is technologically backwards from Target!). Mr. Man and I-Dude, our son, (he needed more meds, so we took him out of the house) head out to grab some windshield wipers for the van. I looked for them and found an associate.

NO, I didn't tell her that I've been stalkin' this one; I was nice and asked if they can find me a price for it so I can decide if I should buy it or not. She was very helpful. After a few minutes (ok, more like 10), another lady approached me and said, "We have no tag, but it's regularly $17.97, $18.00 regular."

("Nope, $24.97, I've been stalkin' remember?" "Shh! Brain, she'll hear you!").

She then told me that since it's clearance she'll give it to me for 50% off or $8.

("Half of $18 is 9!" "Hush Brain!")

I didn't say anything, but considered it so she asked me if I can show her where I found it. Along the way, we met up with the store manager and he was with another associate who addressed everyone as "Honey" (I later found out she was also a manager). She kept interrupting the manager and further explained that Thanksgiving items do not go lower than 50% off. That's just how it's been.

("Wrong again! Texas Walmarts (plural) shopper, I am , I am..." "Brain, shush!")

The store manager asked, "How much was the regular price? My lovely helper, replies, "$17 just like the hearts. I offered her $8, but she won't take it."

("$17? Back there, you said, $18! Which one is it?" "Brain, keep it down- shhh!")

He then says, "Oh right, those heart mold pans, they're similar. I thought they were heart shapes , but no, it's maple leaves, so yeah, it would be on Clearance."

("Hello! This is a Nordicware, don't compare those tin cans to this piece of art! How dare you?" "Brain, stop it! We know that, but they don't!")

(Faced me) "I'll give it to you 50% off, or (looking at my helper) $8, that's about right". The lady who explained things to me about their Thanksgiving clearance policy, she pipes in with, "Honey, listen. If you want to be precise, $7.50 is half of $17. So, $7.50. The store manager and the helper agreed.

("Brain" was waiting patiently for when these people would catch on. Nope, didn't happen...)

("Brain" says, if you can stop yourself from laughing, here's more...)

I said, "No, thank you. I've watched those since the day after Thanksgiving. It should've been marked down to 50% off then, and since it's February now and it's the LAST ONE, it should be marked down more." The "honey, listen" lady starts to walk away and says, "No, 50% is a good deal, I'd buy it for that or $7.50 (from her regular calculation of $17).

What did I do? (with "Brain" laughing in my head?)

I let them all walk away and then I let "Brain" kick in and declare that if they're willing to give it to me for $7.50, "I guess I'll take it." (looking like I gave in because I really want it- I did want it, but I didn't give i-iiinnnnnn...)

So off we go to get approval of the new price and said mold pan was checked out by "Honey, listen" lady, not knowing that "Brain" is celebrating up in my head.

$24.97 down to $7.50; that actually calculates to a...
70% off savings!!! Yeah!

(Thanks, "Brain" for shushing and "Mouth" for keeping quiet.)

And now... (drum roll, please) Presenting... (tan-tan-tan-tannnnnnn!) (pause for effect)


Nordicware Maple Leaf Mold Cake Pan!


(See the shmootz? That's from the missing tag)


She's a beaut, isn't she? All, 7 dollars and 50 cents of her! :-D)


(It's a little fuzzy, but you can see the new price)


Psst! (whispering) "Does this little scenario remind you of a certain TV show? If you knew which one I mean, the answer is... I am! I am!"

79 comments:

  1. Ok, that is hilarious! No wonder when I was a teen employers wanted me on cash registers all the time, I could do the math for a transaction in my head, and accurately, no less.

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  2. I know, wasn't it? I gave them all the chances by just standing there quietly but they didn't catch their mistake. So I got a great mold for less than what I expected! Yay, for smart and beautiful brains!

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  3. You are the luckiest person alive, Carolyn!

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  4. Welcome Celeste!
    I already know you're a wonderful lady because you chose to follow this super cool blog.

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  5. Lara, I feel like that sometimes! Especially when I know I want a particular dish, I find it and come out with change! :D

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  6. From Anne Hanson (on my other blog):

    "I love the ware, I am wondering now what you will bake in it? White cake, Spice cake, Chocolate? What will be next years delectible delightful dessert? Shoot, now I am craving pumpkin muffins....had to go and picture the Autumn possibilities...maybe they could come up with pumpkin muffin flavored water? Or Chocolate cake flavored breath mints that melted like chocolate but without the calories? It is eleven PM and I have now made myself hungry for sweets, I guess I will climb on the elyptical machine and start sweating (endorphins are as filling right, right?)"

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  7. Wow! What a steal. I love the role your brain played. And the "honey" lady. :)

    That pan really is a work of art.

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  8. You're funny. What a steal of a deal. :-)

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  9. so funny! I wish my brain were that disciplined...I'm an instant gratification type. I probably wouldn't have gotten past the first sale...good job. It's nice to see other people have conversations with themselves though. They say you should be worried if you answer yourself back...but I do it lots :)

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  10. LisAway: Welcome! I see you on Lara's blog all the time, so it's safe to say she was your referrant?

    Pink: I try. I gotta find a way to laugh at my own self. It was great not having to say anything and have a good laugh at the same time.

    Kristy: More comments are always a treat, so keep leaving more. "Brain" always keep me line when it comes to bargain hunting because I fall off the discipline bar easily if left on my own. :-D

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  11. That is sooo awesome! I am laughing over here! I guess I need to check out the clearance section more often! I was an idiot and got a sunflower one for regular price (I used a wedding giftcard, though...). Cute post! :)

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  12. Oh I LOVE a good deal on good baking stuff. Jealous...

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  13. Popping over from SITS to show you some love. p.s what a great deal - lucky you!

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  14. Hilarious...Love this story...

    So, gotta ask...where do you store all this great stuff??? Do you have a huge kitchen or pantry???

    Have a great sits day!

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  15. And people say math skills aren't important!

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  16. you are too funny..

    have fun today....enjoy the sits day..

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  17. Ha! That's hilarious! Great deal!

    Happy SITSday!

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  18. I love great deals! Enjoy your SITS day.

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  19. Over from SITS to say hello! Can't wait to check out your blog.

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  20. Great deal. I'm impressed by your restraint. I would have had trouble waiting out the final sale.

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  21. That was fun to read!!!!!!!!!

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  22. WooO! Great deal!!! I need to go shopping with you!

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  23. Very funny I loved the "Honey Listen" lady...WOOHOO for you!

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  24. What a steal!!! I love that pan. :) Happy SITS Day!

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  25. Ya! Smokin' deal! I LOVE NordicWare...sturdy stuff. Congrats on your SITS Day. I'm gonna go browse the rest now!

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  26. You are quite the shrewd shopper! I'd love to have someone like you with me when I haggle at the local flea market. Congratulations your new find!

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  27. I love the leaf mold.

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  28. your awesome girl, for several reasons. #1. you are not impatient. #2. you have the ability to bite your toungle. lol im impressed. GREAT find!!!

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  29. HA HA HA!

    I'm not sure I would have been that brave or persistant...actually...around here if you don't snatch something up right away in the clearance aisle they'll be gone before you know it (I was eyeing some apothecary jars that vanished in a week). Sigh.

    Happy SITS day!

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  30. Interesting blog. I've never seen one dedicated to tableware. Happy SITS Day!

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  31. You are a gal after my own heart!! I couldn't read this story fast enough...I was getting so excited for you!!! Wow!! You go girl! Happy SITS day!!

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  32. Great deal...that is so cute. I love Fall and I think it is one of my favorite decorating times!

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  33. I love the mold! I love fall!

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  34. So glad your brain didn't ruin it for you! Ha!

    Hilarious!

    BlogBaby

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  35. You are a great story teller! I love all of the characters - especially 'brain' and the 'honey-lady'. You gave me a good laugh. I'd say 70% off is a good deal!

    Happy SITS day!

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  36. Wow - you worked hard for that discount! Congrats!

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  37. How funny! What a bargain though haha

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  38. That is great! I so dearly love it when dumb people and good coincidences collide.

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  39. great deal you snagged there! and the way you told it? priceless!

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  40. I have always been a sucker for Maple Leaf anything. This is great and you are such a bargin shopper!

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  41. Wow, I don't know how you kept a straight face after pulling that over on the biggest monster of a retailer ever! You're good@!

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  42. gotta love walmart ! and their empees lol

    www.icoulduseadeal.blogspot.com

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  43. Oh that's an awesome deal! Way to go Brain & Mouth for keeping quiet! :) Congrats on being FB @ SITS!

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  44. I love messing with the walmart people. I have them running around all the time looking for things and prices for me. I have to do something to entertain myself....

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  45. Wow! You got a great deal on that!

    Happy SITS day!

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  46. This is so awesome!! That reminds me of when I bought my $50 dress for exactly $8.95. (Clearance plus holiday sale plus tax free weekend in TN!) I love bargain shopping!

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  47. Love that pan! I would love a maple leaf pan. Currently I only have maple leaf cookie cutters. And Happy SITS day!

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  48. I always love a good deal :) The hunt is the best part!

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  49. I firmly believe you enjoy it MORE when it's a good bargain too:-)

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  50. Ummm, I take it that MATH is not a requirement of Wal-Mart employees. Makes me wonder how their cash drawers balance out at the end of the night. LOL

    LOVE a good bargain!

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  51. I have a bunch of Canadian friends who would love that pan!

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  52. Nice job! And a beautiful pan!

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  53. glad you're the SITS girl today - i'm loving your blog!! i really should pay more attention to tableware when i'm out discount shopping...

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  54. i shop the same way! i love a good bargain

    visiting from SITS

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  55. Thank you everybody! I still LOL when I read this post. Glad you did, too!

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  56. What a steal is right! So...because I have no vision...what did you make in your pan?? I see these...and covet them...but somehow manage to listen to my brain because I don't buy them because I don't know what I would do with them.

    I think you are inspiring me to write some posts about my obsession with chip and dip platters :-)

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  57. I love love LOVE this post!! It makes me a lot more eager to haggle prices on clearance stuff. Your "brain" is a genius!

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  58. that is awesome deal!!! have to find that mold....love it!

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  59. Yep, it was great! I'm going to make some gooey cakes in it!

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  60. Gotta love a good bargain! I clicked on your "trade secrets" link, too - you've got some good ones in there!

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  61. This post made me giggle... good job on your bargain... you definitely got a good deal! :)

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  62. Talk about dedicated and persistent! Good for you!!!

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  63. Haha, what a bargain!!! And what a great cake pan, very unique.

    ~ Becky
    http://beckyandjames.com

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  64. Oh wow, you are such an inspiration! You have me thinking now, cuz i like to cruise the Goodwill stores!

    Happy SITS day - but I'd like to know where you store all this stuff!

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  65. Wow! You hold out for the best price as the wheeling and dealing takes place! Simply brilliant and outstanding. I bought my daughter a Nordicware gingerbread pan that is too cute to use! Fun post, thanks!

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  66. lol....what a steal!! good for you!

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  67. Sending you a SITS shout-out! Hope you enjoyed the comments and blog love (although maybe not as much as the good deal. LOL)

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  68. Hello again! I am loving all the comments!

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