ShipVantage - Save on Shipping this Holiday!

Nov

20

2009

 

Talk about a great deal…has anyone heard of the new Holiday ShipVantageprogram on Sears.com? In my opinion, this has got to be one of the greatest deals – ever!

 

I was on Sears.comlooking for a new headboardfor my daughter’s bedroom when I noticed my selection was eligible for ShipVantage. With ShipVantage you can receive unlimited shipping on all mailable items to the U.S. for just $19.99 for a 60-day trial or $79 for 12 months. And yes, the headboard was flagged mailable!

 

Benefits include:

-shipping of 3.5 million items

-shipping as often as you want - unlimited free shipping

-shipping as many as you want - no minimum purchase required

  

Now, with the holidays near, this is a perfect option for me. I love shopping online, but the thing that drives me crazy is paying all the shipping charges. Just last week, I just purchased an item on a web site and then two days later I saw something else I wanted – thus, I had to pay two base shipping rates. The second item I bought was only $9.99 on sale (which was great price), but with shipping, it was $16 – nearly the same price I would have paid in store.  

 

With ShipVantage, I don’t have to worry about any of that. Shipping is free once I’ve purchased the membership, so I can place 10 $10 orders and don’t have to pay shipping each time. Also, if I want to expedite my shipping, I get a discounted rate.

 

*Membership includes unlimited FREE Standard shipping

*Expedited shipping is $.99 per item

*Premium shipping is $3.99 per item

 

As Black Friday nears (and with all the special promotions and Deals of Day on Sears.com), this is a great option for someone like me, who is a bargain shopper, looking for good buy.

 

SHC-MichelleH is a wife, mom and Sears Holdings employee who blogs about her experiences using Sears.com.

The Holidays Are Officially Here!

Nov

13

2009

Sears Wish Book. Need I say more?

 

It has been an exciting tradition in my family for years. My grandmother told me that the Wish Book came out in the 1930s. I remember as a kid looking through the Wish Book with my family. To me, it meant that the holidays were near!  Now, I am excited to be able to share this tradition with my own daughter. 

I brought the Wish Book home last week to get some gift giving ideas. (If you’ve seen some of my other posts, you know I am quite the planner!) My daughter grabbed the book from me, immediately! Our course, she flipped right to toys and circled everything she wanted for Christmas. She’s really good at telling me what she wants! The Barbie® Dream Townhouse and Pink Scooter made the top of her list.

 

Then, my husband picked up the book and pointed out some things to add to his list – a turkey fryer and a new TV for our room. (Great choices!)

 

I just can’t get over the fantastic selection of gift ideas and the great prices wrapped in to the new Sears Wish Book. And the best part is, the traditional hard copy version is complemented by an exciting, online interactive catalog, so shopping for those special people in your life is a breeze anyway you look at it.   

Next on the list – my parents in Texas!

SHC-MichelleH is a wife, mom and Sears Holdings employee who blogs about her experiences using Sears.com.

Sears Hometown Shop Talk – Holiday Shopping Tips

Sep

29

2009

Is it really too early to think about the holidays? Many of us would say “yes” it is. But, reality hits. The temperature in Chicago drops from 75 degrees to 54 degrees with 25 miles per hour wind gusts, my girls ask about Halloween costumes, my parents want to know Thanksgiving plans and now the holiday season is closer than I realize.

 

I ask myself how can I make holiday shopping easier and save myself the stress and anxiety of picking up last minute gifts.  We all know it is never fun picking a gift from the holiday gift leftovers. So, I gave myself the task of planning early and in my research I found some great tips.

 

First, make a list. I know it sounds so simple since 82% of us are doing it today and it is the easiest way to get started.

 

Second, set a budget (and don’t forget to save your change). In a time when many of us are being careful with our spending it is important to set a budget and see value in the budget. 

Then I realized there is a great budgeting tool available to me and everyone else this holiday season.  Why didn’t I think of this sooner?  It is the  Sears Christmas Club Card.  You can find the card at any Sears Hometown Store and it pays me back.  I can start saving today and place money on the card weekly either by stopping in the store or on-line plus Sears will pay me a 3% reward on the money I save.  Now I know I am way too busy when I didn’t think of this sooner. I will be starting my savings today.

Another great tip is to get the “easy” gifts out of the way early with Sears Layaway. My grandma always said it was the smartest way to shop. Gifts to the paper boy, teachers, and your boss don’t need to come out of your holiday budget for the family. So how can I do that without breaking the bank? First, my $500 holiday budget is now 3% higher (thank you Christmas Club Card savings program). Second, because Sears Hometown Stores has layaway, I can pick out all the gifts I need, pay for them over an 8 week timeframe, and have them just when I need them. Look out Will (he’s my boss), your Craftsman hammerhead (the hottest gift in tool innovation) is going on layaway today. 

  

The most important holiday tip is to enjoy the season, family and time together.  I know it all sounds so simple but every now and then a few tips can help make the holidays easier.  When you are shopping and working on your holiday lists, please stop by your local retailers and share your favorite tip.  We would love to hear your feedback at Sears Hometown Stores.

About Me

My name is Keri Durkin and I am the Division Vice President for Merchandising, Planning and Assorting for Sears Hometown Stores, LLC. I am excited to see how far my budget will take me this holiday season.

About Sears Hometown Stores

 

Sears Hometown Stores are two Sears store formats located away from shopping malls. Hometown Store is locally owned and operated Sears stores and Home Appliance Showroom is the leader in home appliance shopping. Our friendly and knowledgeable store owners and showroom managers proudly serve your local community and offer you largest selection of home appliances, tool and lawn and garden equipment, and home electronics, exceptional customer service, best price guaranteed plus credit, delivery, installation and protection agreements.

 

Sears Hometown Stores established in 1993

www.SearsHomeTownStores.com

 

Sears Home Appliance Showroom established in 2007

www.SearsHomeApplianceShowroom.com

 

Sears in Spanish

http://espanol.sears.com

 

 

Toys are Back at Sears!

Jul

17

2009

Right after mom finds her new Cannon bedspread and Dad picks up the latest Craftsman lawnmower, the family can visit the Toy Shop for the best in children's entertainment.

 

Sears Toy Shops offer parents a new, convenient option to shop for toys where parents and children can come together to try out new toys, play and have an enjoyable shopping experience - just in time for the holiday season.

 

For more information, promotional deals and locations check out the Toys website http://www.sears.com/shc/s/v_10153_12605_Toys+&+Games  and follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/SearsToys!

Glow-in-the-Dark Space Train Set Available at Sears!!!

Jun

24

2009

Check out the very popular glow-in-the-dark space train set in action!!  Train set available at Kmart.com or in-store.  Click here to view the space train set at Sears.com

My Sears Boys Toys: Kmart Penn Plaza Bakugan Collector Event 4-4-2009

Apr

08

2009

By: Chris D. (MyS-BoysToys)

On 4-4-2009 Kmart and Spin Master hosted a first ever Bakugan collector event at the Penn Plaza store in New York, NY.  This was a preview of the event that will launch nationally on 4-11-2009 at 9 AM in all Kmart stores in the continental US.

The day was a hit. Everyone who attended left with a smile on their face and were thanking Kmart for providing family fun.  There were kids from as far away as England; another kid took two separate trains to be the first one in line; three hours ahead of the opening. 

 

I want to thank everyone for attending and all who helped in the event and invite everyone to the national event on Saturday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BARBIE TURNS 50 AND STILL DOESN’T LOOK A DAY OVER 21!!!

Apr

07

2009

Barbara E. (MyS-GirlsToy)

Back on March 9^th, 1959, during a time when gas cost 25 cents a gallon, the average house price was $12,400, and a movie ticket was only a buck, the first Barbie doll was launched at the New York Toy Fair. Dressed in her now famous black and white bathing suit and iconic blonde hair pulled back into a pony tail, she retailed for only $3.00!

To commemorate her history, a series of collector dolls are available this spring. The My Favorite Barbie line is an assortment of 6 different Barbie dolls from over time, including Twist ‘N Turn, introduced in 1967, with Barbie’s first moveable waist; Bubble Cut Barbie, introduced in 1962, featuring Barbie with an uncharacteristic bob of brunette hair; and Barbie and the Rockers, introduced in 1986, celebrating the fashion of that era with big hair, shoulder pads, and a mini skirt with leggings. And yes, even 50 years later, she has managed to maintain her perfect (and sometimes controversial) figure of long legs, thin waist, and perfect hair.

Exclusively at Kmart, you can celebrate Barbie’s birthday with BE A BARBIE GIRL. Isn’t having a new Barbie Fashion purse the coolest? It’s a fab accessory to any outfit and can be used to carry everything that you need for a fun day with friends. There are 3 different styles (Hobo Bag, Messenger Bag, and Tote Bag) and you can get one FREE with ANY Barbie toy purchase at Kmart. Also included in the purse are some Barbie coupons to be used on your next shopping trips to Kmart. Stick them on your refrigerator so they don’t get lost with all of your Barbie stuff!

So although we can’t all look so fabulous at 50, at least this year we have a chance to go back in time and reconnect with a long last friend while our daughters connect with a classic toy!

IT’S NERF OR NOTHIN’! HASBRO’S ICONIC NERF BRAND CELEBRATES ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY

Apr

07

2009

Rachel B. (MyS-Girls Toys)

Whether it’s partnering with some of the most notable athletes of the day or bringing a no-holds barred blaster experience to the video game environment, NERF continues to redefine both the sports and toy world. In 2009, the NERF brand will celebrate 40 years of incredible growth; from simple beginnings as an orange foam ball, NERF now encompasses an intense product lineup and impressive athletic alliances. My contact at Hasbro had passed along a press release that I though I might share with you- the following is just my summary of some of the exciting things happening.

The NERF brand continues looking forward by signing on as a sponsor of the 2009 Dew Tour, the world’s premier season-long action sports tour, featuring skateboarding, BMX, and freestyle motocross.  As part of the Dew Tour’s award-winning Festival Village, the first NERF DART TAG World Championship will offer fans and consumers an alternative competitive sporting environment unique to NERF.  

            “After 40 incredible years, we’re extremely proud to call NERF one of the most iconic sports brands in history and the #1 toy brand for boys ages 8-12,” said Jonathan Berkowitz, Global Brand Director for NERF at Hasbro. “As we enter our 40th year, we see the NERF DART TAG World Championship and our sponsorship of the Dew Tour as a great milestone in the brand’s history, strengthening our presence in both the classic and next-generation sports arenas as well as encouraging players and enthusiasts to raise awareness of the sport of DART TAG.”

            From the front yard to the football field, college to the cubicle, NERF has become a lifestyle brand, reminding people to take a timeout for fun.  New additions to the NERF family, like NERF’s new N-FORCE line featuring performance-based N-FORCE Swords, and the establishment of the NERF DART TAG World Championship, unite with an awesome and innovative collection of customizable N-STRIKE blasters, far-flying footballs and fun basketball sets to herald  NERF’s 40th year of indulging people’s playful, active side.

            As NERF celebrates its 40th anniversary, step off the sideline and into KMART and get in the game with a strong, new NERF lineup as intense as you are.

On Saturday, April 11th at 9:00 am, Kmart will host a Chain-wide Continental US Bakugan Collector Event

Mar

31

2009

Kmart will receive first to market Season 2 Bakugan booster packs.  Customers are invited to come to the store and enter a raffle for a chance to be the first customers to open a manufacturer's carton and purchase new Booster Packs.  Once all cartons are open customers will have a chance to purchase remaining products.

Bakugan is a collectible game based upon the Bakugan cartoon series on Cartoon Network.  Bakugan Booster packs contain 1 Bakugan ball, 1 metal Card Gate, and 1 ability Card.  The Booster Pack allows Bakugan Battle Brawlers to grow their collection one at a time.

Everyone is invited and I would like to hear your feeback about the event!

Thanks

The Toys Team

Watch Bakugan - Episode 22 - Drago's On Fire in Animation  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com