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Savvy Shopper: Swap allows shoppers to unload mistakes

Sunday, December 14, 2008
(Updated 7:12 am)

We all have an "oops" or two in our closets.

The handbag that looked like it matched that outfit - until you got it home. The scarf that is super-cute and ultra-itchy. The shoes that you loved, but your pinkie toe didn't.

Don't fret. SARAJANE is offering you a chance to swap out your "oops" for something you'll love.

The Summerfield boutique will hold its third annual Handbag Swap on Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m.

Here's how it works: Participants bring in gently used handbags, shoes, scarves or jewelry on or before Wednesday and receive coupons for Thursday's swap.

On Thursday, customers can redeem their coupons for items others have brought in to trade. Shoppers who didn't bring an item to swap can still participate by paying an entrance fee.

In previous years, the swapped items have included anything from Target handbags to those designed by Kate Spade, said store manager Alisa Driver .

"I had a woman last year who still had the tag inside a Christian Dior bag," Driver said.

The event has gotten bigger and bigger every year, Driver said, and leftover swap items will be donated to local charities. Last year, over 100 leftover bags were donated to the Bargain Box in Greensboro, she said.

SARAJANE Accessory Boutique is at 1007 N.C. Highway 150 West "D" in Summerfield . Call 643-5773 for more information.

Books-A-Million opens

Greensboro's newest big-box bookseller is open.

Books-A-Million, at 1570-C Highwoods Blvd. off New Garden Road, opened in late November in a 15,500-square-foot space that features an in-house coffee shop.

The store offers free wireless Internet to customers who are members of the store's discount program. An annual membership to the discount program costs $20 and offers customers 10 percent off of all purchases, excluding gift cards, said general manager Edward Lee .

Thoughts on 'regifting'

In tough economic times, the temptation may be great to shop for others from what you already have.

To some, such "regifting" is perfectly acceptable. To others, it's totally tacky.

Where do you fall in the spectrum?

Let Savvy Shopper know by dropping a line to lanita.withers@news-record.com or giving me a call at 373-7071. Please include a daytime contact number. Some of your comments may be used in a future column.

 

Savvy Shoppers unite on the Web! Twitter with me at www.twitter.com/savvyshopper, network with me on Facebook or come talk shopping on the Bargain Blog at news-record.com.


Do you have a retail news or shopping tips for Savvy Shopper? Contact Lanita Withers at 373-7071 or email lanita.withers@news-record.com


 

Comments

This article has been closed to new comments. Comments are generally closed after 14 days. However, comments may be closed earlier at the discretion of the News & Record.

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Diane

December 17, 2008 - 11:45 am EST

Lanita, I heard about an interesting twist on SaraJane's bag swap - it is called a Frock Swap party. You'll need to invite lots of people - different sizes and shapes. Everyone gets a tag with the number of items they bring to the party and can take home as many items as they bring. This would work even better if a local store offered an evening like this.

FeliciaBrown

December 17, 2008 - 11:11 pm EST

I think this is a fantastic idea for shoppers to get rid of bad purchases or looks they've outgrown and to find new stuff for their collections. Sara Jane is the coolest store and has an amazing selection of accessories. The owner, Sarah Jane, is a also great resource for people trying to determine their own fashion sense and look.

Her idea has also "inspired" me to suggest something similar at my spa, Inspire Skin & Body. I'm curious to learn what people would think about a make-up or skin care product trade-in (no swapping for sanitation reasons) for a discount on new products that were a good match for their skin type or coloration. Any thoughts?

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