If Dillard's goes down then all we are left with is Macy's and Wal-mart. Retail is in trouble. More here (//%22http://www.247wallst.com/2008/11/the-black-frida.html%22)
That sucks. At least here in Tulsa we've got more options. What strange 3-store community are you in?
I have decided to make my own clothes. I have enough single socks to wardrobe an entire family.
I spent the first two days just trying to put thread through a needle. You would think they would come pre-thread (that is an idea that could win one of those big entrepreneurial idea checks).
It has been hard. I have pricked my fingers so many times it looks like a have a pet porcupine. The clothes haven't exactly been worthy of a supermodel runway, but have caused some people to run away from me.
The best part is that now my socks always match my outfit.
There's always Target, but alot of people don't like Targets high prices, and the company banned the "Bell Ringers" for the needy. I think Target is about the only major store company that won't allow Bell-Ringers in front of their stores. As for me I'm pretty much a big Wal-Mart shopper.[B)]
I have stepped into Dillards maybe twice in my life. Wayyyyy too expensive for my taste. I dont even look at the sales circular.
I am a Wal-mart shopper. I also think Target is high priced. Haven't been in one for over 2 years.
Wal-mart,Family Dollar, Dollar General, Old Navy,Bath and Body, Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Shoe Carnival, Oh Yeah, thrift stores, Yep thats about it. Sounds boring, but I just get all I need from those stores and I am fine with that.
[;)]
I love dillards..when they have a good sale...
quote:
Originally posted by sauerkraut
There's always Target, but alot of people don't like Targets high prices, and the company banned the "Bell Ringers" for the needy. I think Target is about the only major store company that won't allow Bell-Ringers in front of their stores. As for me I'm pretty much a big Wal-Mart shopper.[B)]
well don't you know? It is because target is "classy". They are so "classy" they have uniformed security guards to greet you at the door instead of smocked greeters handing out stickers....because giving stickers to kids lacks class (that and a target bullseye is not something you want to wear back to the ghetto).
So remember, when you are buying your overpriced IKEA-esque rubbish that you can get for less cost at Wal-mart, remember that you are doing it because you are "classy" and you won't be bothered by those classless bell ringers when you leave.
quote:
Originally posted by sauerkraut
There's always Target, but alot of people don't like Targets high prices, and the company banned the "Bell Ringers" for the needy. I think Target is about the only major store company that won't allow Bell-Ringers in front of their stores. As for me I'm pretty much a big Wal-Mart shopper.[B)]
Sorry, you're wrong. Many big stores do not allow solicitation, including Albertson's, Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, Barnes and Noble, etc. etc. etc. at the request of their customers.
I for one am all for the ban on solicitation. Although the Salvation Army does good work, to allow them solicitation rights, you have to allow everyone solicitation rights to stand in front of your store, asking everyone for money as they walk by. That is annoying to customers simply wanting to shop, and who already give to the charities of their choice.
Also, please note that Target is always listed at the top of the list of Forbes top 100 charitable businesses. They also have partnered with Salvation Army to donate 1 million dollars to create an on-line version of the "Angel Tree program" so people can give on line instead of soliciting on the street. They also give away approximately 3 million dollars
a week to various charities.
To blast Target for not being 'charitable' is just idiotic. They are actually doing their customers a favor by listening to them and responding to the complaints that solicitors are annoying. Wal Mart should do the same.
And anyone who thinks Targets are 'classy' should really try to get out more. The fact is Target is simply a better run store with better merchandise and better company policies than its competitors. If that means I have to pay .25 more for a bar of soap, its a small price to pay, really.
I give them all a "Merry Christmas" when I pass by.....that is worth more than my money could ever buy in my opinion
quote:
Originally posted by azbadpuppy
The fact is Target is simply a better run store with better merchandise and better company policies than its competitors. If that means I have to pay .25 more for a bar of soap, its a small price to pay, really.
well, for a company whose sales have been down the last 3 quarters, apparently people don't agree with those "facts". Target is hurting so badly, they have considered selling the land underneath their stores. And THAT (//%22http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSN2452871120081124%22) is a fact
I have gotten my best deals at Dillards's end of the season sales. I pay the equivalent of Wal-Mart prices for name brand clothes. I will miss Dillards when it is gone.
quote:
Originally posted by Pebbles
I have gotten my best deals at Dillards's end of the season sales. I pay the equivalent of Wal-Mart prices for name brand clothes. I will miss Dillards when it is gone.
I missed the dillard's outlet store in Eastland mall. now THAT was where the deals were....and it was fun to go look at 1980s mall decor.
quote:
Originally posted by Jonette
I have stepped into Dillards maybe twice in my life. Wayyyyy too expensive for my taste. I dont even look at the sales circular.
Dillard's is like JC Penney. Overpriced normal pricing more than made up for by awesome sales.
I'd be upset if they were to go, though. They're the only national chain to reliably carry Ecco shoes, so if I find myself needing shoes anywhere remotely near a Dillard's, I know I can get new ones. (even if I do have to pay only a few bucks less than list) [:D]
Edited to add: Target is hurting because people feel poor at the moment. Most people refuse to pay for quality when they feel poor.
I went to Wal-Mart the other day (the one in Bixby) because I wanted a video game that happens to be a WMT exclusive. It reinforced my dislike for the place.
Target is marginally better, but I have a general hatred for 40 acre stores, no matter what they're selling.
And as far as them selling the land, didn't the rules change on REITs in the last year or so, making them less attractive? Or is it just that there's no tax benefit to owning the land when the land is going down in value? I forget.
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
quote:
Originally posted by azbadpuppy
The fact is Target is simply a better run store with better merchandise and better company policies than its competitors. If that means I have to pay .25 more for a bar of soap, its a small price to pay, really.
well, for a company whose sales have been down the last 3 quarters, apparently people don't agree with those "facts". Target is hurting so badly, they have considered selling the land underneath their stores. And THAT (//%22http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSN2452871120081124%22) is a fact
True, their
earnings have been down over last year, but total sales were up 1.7 percent from last year.
The issue has more to do with their ailing credit card division, which has seen a huge increase in defaults (loss of 83 million over last year), and the fact that Target's sales have been around 40% in non-essential items, which as everyone knows, nobody is buying right now. Consumers seem to be focusing on cheap necessities (enter Wal Mart).
Target is more vulnerable in an economic downturn because it offers better, higher quality merchandise and is perceived to be more 'upscale', especially in the non-essential items.
As far as selling off their land, that was a proposal by one of their shareholders. It actually looks good on paper, and Target may be wise to do it.
First of all, Target is one of the only retailers that actually owns the land under their stores (big advantage!). It could be worth much more to Target shareholders if it were transferred to a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) that would be spun off to Target shareholders. A REIT invests in real estate and isn't taxed on its profits, as long as it distributes virtually all of the profits to shareholders.
All told, the real-estate spinout plan could double the value of Target shares within a year and triple it three or four years. In addition, with all the tax savings, Target could step up its share buyback program enough to increase annual earnings growth over the next five years to 17.6% from 14.7%. That would make Target the
fastest-growing retailer among its peers.
All the info is here: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/CompanyFocus/targets-next-big-sale-real-estate.aspx?page=1
I know you would love to think Target is going under and desperate, but it just ain't so- sorry!
quote:
Originally posted by nathanm
QuoteOriginally posted by Jonette
Edited to add: Target is hurting because people feel poor at the moment. Most people refuse to pay for quality when they feel poor.
most people refuse to pay for bull**** when they are rich too, which is all target is peddling. You know what the only thing of higher quality is in the store? The shopping carts.
The MDF build it yourself shelves are just as ****ty at target as they are wal-mart. The difference is target glazes thiers with a IKEA maple finish or throws on some brushed aluminum accents. Thats not quality, that's lipstick on a pig.
target does well when it can because it fluffs people's ego. You are shopping at a ****ing big box store. There is nothing "superior" or "better" to that. If you want to feel better about yourself because you think you are spending more for "quality", go shop at Utica Square. but puh-lease, spare me the antics that target is oh so much better than Wal-mart....just because it isn't walmart.
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
quote:
Originally posted by nathanm
QuoteOriginally posted by Jonette
Edited to add: Target is hurting because people feel poor at the moment. Most people refuse to pay for quality when they feel poor.
most people refuse to pay for bull**** when they are rich too, which is all target is peddling. You know what the only thing of higher quality is in the store? The shopping carts.
The MDF build it yourself shelves are just as ****ty at target as they are wal-mart. The difference is target glazes thiers with a IKEA maple finish or throws on some brushed aluminum accents. Thats not quality, that's lipstick on a pig.
target does well when it can because it fluffs people's ego. You are shopping at a ****ing big box store. There is nothing "superior" or "better" to that. If you want to feel better about yourself because you think you are spending more for "quality", go shop at Utica Square. but puh-lease, spare me the antics that target is oh so much better than Wal-mart....just because it isn't walmart.
I don't go shopping to "fluff my ego", but if I were I would go to Wal-Mart. Watching that spectacle always makes me feel better about myself. [}:)]
Seriously though, if I need certain household items and find it necessary to go to a big box, I will choose Target over Wal-mart any day of the week. Target has far superior house brand groceries at very good prices, and they also have a decent wine selection. If all I cared about was getting everything at the cheapest price, I would probably go to Wal-mart, but I don't because IMO, Target is a better value for what you get.
I'm surprised at your contempt for Target and the people who shop there. After all, Targets now house your favorite coffee shop- Starbucks [;)]
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
quote:
Originally posted by nathanm
QuoteOriginally posted by Jonette
Edited to add: Target is hurting because people feel poor at the moment. Most people refuse to pay for quality when they feel poor.
most people refuse to pay for bull**** when they are rich too, which is all target is peddling. You know what the only thing of higher quality is in the store? The shopping carts.
The MDF build it yourself shelves are just as ****ty at target as they are wal-mart. The difference is target glazes thiers with a IKEA maple finish or throws on some brushed aluminum accents. Thats not quality, that's lipstick on a pig.
target does well when it can because it fluffs people's ego. You are shopping at a ****ing big box store. There is nothing "superior" or "better" to that. If you want to feel better about yourself because you think you are spending more for "quality", go shop at Utica Square. but puh-lease, spare me the antics that target is oh so much better than Wal-mart....just because it isn't walmart.
You say that, but I can buy clothes at Target that are actually well made and will last for more than a week and not look like ****. (As in, they are cut correctly)
I can buy a lamp that doesn't break in 6 months. I can buy a TV stand that doesn't start sagging in less than a year. Or a beard trimmer that lasts more than a few months.
I've been to both places and bought the same sort of **** from both. (can you say the same?) The stuff at Target actually lasts a few years, thus serving the purpose of cheap junk. If I wanted truly quality stuff, I'd go somewhere that sold furniture made out of real wood and electronics designed with something other than price in mind.
I hate wandering around target only slightly less than wal-mart though. I hate enormous stores. I shop smaller stores or online, usually.
I have bought one or two things from Wal-Mart that didn't break after a very short time. One of them was a lava lamp. The other was a Pyrex baking dish. Oh, and I still have some sheets that are in reasonably good condition given their origin.
I do have a TV from Sam's, but it wasn't manufactured to WMT specs and I ordered it online to avoid going into the enormity of the place. I also regularly buy canned air from Sam's, since it's essentially the only place one can buy some at a reasonable price.
I hate shopping there, but I'll do it a couple times a year.
BTW, inteller..are you sure you don't live in Bentonville? [B)]
quote:
Originally posted by nathanm
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
quote:
Originally posted by nathanm
QuoteOriginally posted by Jonette
Edited to add: Target is hurting because people feel poor at the moment. Most people refuse to pay for quality when they feel poor.
most people refuse to pay for bull**** when they are rich too, which is all target is peddling. You know what the only thing of higher quality is in the store? The shopping carts.
The MDF build it yourself shelves are just as ****ty at target as they are wal-mart. The difference is target glazes thiers with a IKEA maple finish or throws on some brushed aluminum accents. Thats not quality, that's lipstick on a pig.
target does well when it can because it fluffs people's ego. You are shopping at a ****ing big box store. There is nothing "superior" or "better" to that. If you want to feel better about yourself because you think you are spending more for "quality", go shop at Utica Square. but puh-lease, spare me the antics that target is oh so much better than Wal-mart....just because it isn't walmart.
You say that, but I can buy clothes at Target that are actually well made and will last for more than a week and not look like ****. (As in, they are cut correctly)
I can buy a lamp that doesn't break in 6 months. I can buy a TV stand that doesn't start sagging in less than a year. Or a beard trimmer that lasts more than a few months.
I've been to both places and bought the same sort of **** from both. (can you say the same?) The stuff at Target actually lasts a few years, thus serving the purpose of cheap junk. If I wanted truly quality stuff, I'd go somewhere that sold furniture made out of real wood and electronics designed with something other than price in mind.
I hate wandering around target only slightly less than wal-mart though. I hate enormous stores. I shop smaller stores or online, usually.
I have bought one or two things from Wal-Mart that didn't break after a very short time. One of them was a lava lamp. The other was a Pyrex baking dish. Oh, and I still have some sheets that are in reasonably good condition given their origin.
I do have a TV from Sam's, but it wasn't manufactured to WMT specs and I ordered it online to avoid going into the enormity of the place. I also regularly buy canned air from Sam's, since it's essentially the only place one can buy some at a reasonable price.
I hate shopping there, but I'll do it a couple times a year.
BTW, inteller..are you sure you don't live in Bentonville? [B)]
You're gonna get what you pay for at either place. If you buy crap, it's gonna perform/last like crap. Literally.
I've bought way too much stuff from Wal Mart that works to even subscribe to your notion that virtually everything you bought at Wal Mart broke within six months. Were you dropping it on the floor every day to test durability?
Like it or not, the Wal Mart model is what a lot of retail stores strive to be. Target could only wish they could leverage that kind of buying power that Wallyworld can. If they had to sell the same items at Wal Mart prices they'd be bankrupt inside of 18 months.
I'm all for other stores and competition of course, but to vilify one store just because they are popular and make a profit is ludicrous. And in these economic times, Wal Mart will make a killing because they skim their bottom line from labor, which is one thing I hate about them. But, OTOH, they do provide jobs to many people who otherwise wouldn't be working.
And I've bought clothes from Wal Mart. There, I said it.
But, I do read the labels and buy brands that other stores carry. Why is it Wal Mart sells them for less? Because they can.
I just don't expect the same kind of customer service from them.
quote:
Originally posted by Hoss
quote:
Originally posted by nathanm
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
quote:
Originally posted by nathanm
QuoteOriginally posted by Jonette
Edited to add: Target is hurting because people feel poor at the moment. Most people refuse to pay for quality when they feel poor.
most people refuse to pay for bull**** when they are rich too, which is all target is peddling. You know what the only thing of higher quality is in the store? The shopping carts.
The MDF build it yourself shelves are just as ****ty at target as they are wal-mart. The difference is target glazes thiers with a IKEA maple finish or throws on some brushed aluminum accents. Thats not quality, that's lipstick on a pig.
target does well when it can because it fluffs people's ego. You are shopping at a ****ing big box store. There is nothing "superior" or "better" to that. If you want to feel better about yourself because you think you are spending more for "quality", go shop at Utica Square. but puh-lease, spare me the antics that target is oh so much better than Wal-mart....just because it isn't walmart.
You say that, but I can buy clothes at Target that are actually well made and will last for more than a week and not look like ****. (As in, they are cut correctly)
I can buy a lamp that doesn't break in 6 months. I can buy a TV stand that doesn't start sagging in less than a year. Or a beard trimmer that lasts more than a few months.
I've been to both places and bought the same sort of **** from both. (can you say the same?) The stuff at Target actually lasts a few years, thus serving the purpose of cheap junk. If I wanted truly quality stuff, I'd go somewhere that sold furniture made out of real wood and electronics designed with something other than price in mind.
I hate wandering around target only slightly less than wal-mart though. I hate enormous stores. I shop smaller stores or online, usually.
I have bought one or two things from Wal-Mart that didn't break after a very short time. One of them was a lava lamp. The other was a Pyrex baking dish. Oh, and I still have some sheets that are in reasonably good condition given their origin.
I do have a TV from Sam's, but it wasn't manufactured to WMT specs and I ordered it online to avoid going into the enormity of the place. I also regularly buy canned air from Sam's, since it's essentially the only place one can buy some at a reasonable price.
I hate shopping there, but I'll do it a couple times a year.
BTW, inteller..are you sure you don't live in Bentonville? [B)]
You're gonna get what you pay for at either place. If you buy crap, it's gonna perform/last like crap. Literally.
I've bought way too much stuff from Wal Mart that works to even subscribe to your notion that virtually everything you bought at Wal Mart broke within six months. Were you dropping it on the floor every day to test durability?
Like it or not, the Wal Mart model is what a lot of retail stores strive to be. Target could only wish they could leverage that kind of buying power that Wallyworld can. If they had to sell the same items at Wal Mart prices they'd be bankrupt inside of 18 months.
I'm all for other stores and competition of course, but to vilify one store just because they are popular and make a profit is ludicrous. And in these economic times, Wal Mart will make a killing because they skim their bottom line from labor, which is one thing I hate about them. But, OTOH, they do provide jobs to many people who otherwise wouldn't be working.
And I've bought clothes from Wal Mart. There, I said it.
But, I do read the labels and buy brands that other stores carry. Why is it Wal Mart sells them for less? Because they can.
I just don't expect the same kind of customer service from them.
I don't vilify them for their success, I'm merely reporting my personal experience. Some people refuse to shop at Wal-Mart on principle. I don't. I don't buy things there because the electronics (the stuff made to their specs, not stuff like gaming consoles, which are the same anywhere), clothes, and other items are usually terrible in quality.
That's been my experience.
Neither place is particularly high quality. If I want to buy something that lasts, I won't shop at either Wal-Mart or Target.
Maybe I'm a bit jaded because I remember back when WMT's goods weren't utter junk. Like clothes that weren't falling apart mere months after purchase or cut improperly. Of course, that was before Sam died and every bit of production that could be offshored was offshored.
Besides, I forgot. I have a vise grip that works great, 6 years after I bought it there. The screwdriver and socket wrench I bought at the same time long ago broke, but that's what you get anywhere that sells bottom of the barrel stuff.
quote:
Originally posted by azbadpuppy
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
quote:
Originally posted by nathanm
QuoteOriginally posted by Jonette
Edited to add: Target is hurting because people feel poor at the moment. Most people refuse to pay for quality when they feel poor.
most people refuse to pay for bull**** when they are rich too, which is all target is peddling. You know what the only thing of higher quality is in the store? The shopping carts.
The MDF build it yourself shelves are just as ****ty at target as they are wal-mart. The difference is target glazes thiers with a IKEA maple finish or throws on some brushed aluminum accents. Thats not quality, that's lipstick on a pig.
target does well when it can because it fluffs people's ego. You are shopping at a ****ing big box store. There is nothing "superior" or "better" to that. If you want to feel better about yourself because you think you are spending more for "quality", go shop at Utica Square. but puh-lease, spare me the antics that target is oh so much better than Wal-mart....just because it isn't walmart.
I don't go shopping to "fluff my ego", but if I were I would go to Wal-Mart. Watching that spectacle always makes me feel better about myself. [}:)]
Seriously though, if I need certain household items and find it necessary to go to a big box, I will choose Target over Wal-mart any day of the week. Target has far superior house brand groceries at very good prices, and they also have a decent wine selection. If all I cared about was getting everything at the cheapest price, I would probably go to Wal-mart, but I don't because IMO, Target is a better value for what you get.
hahaha....keep telling yourself that....it will help justify that shrinking wallet.
To continue on the offtopic tangent, I doubt anyone that thinks Wal-mart has the cheapest princes on things compares prices.
Wal-mart may still be cheaper on some things, but for the most part with smart shopping you will save money going to other places.
quote:
Originally posted by godboko71
To continue on the offtopic tangent, I doubt anyone that thinks Wal-mart has the cheapest princes on things compares prices.
Wal-mart may still be cheaper on some things, but for the most part with smart shopping you will save money going to other places.
yeah like Aldi for starters.
Ecco Shoes at Dillards.
I used to get them there too but started getting mine (and Merrills) at onlineshoes.com. Great service and I dont have to go into a store and get hounded.
Now if Mathis Bros had a shoe store........
quote:
Originally posted by Aa5drvr
Ecco Shoes at Dillards.
I used to get them there too but started getting mine (and Merrills) at onlineshoes.com. Great service and I dont have to go into a store and get hounded.
Now if Mathis Bros had a shoe store........
mathis brothers does have a show store for the employees to replace the shoes they wear out chasing you.
yeah, i know how it is at Target.
Just the other day I was asking my butler's opinion, "What car should I take to Target, Reginald? The Bentley? The Rolls?"
It was quite the dilemma!
I couldn't make up my mind for the life of me. So, I just made Reginald go to Target for me, instead. After he left I donned my hand-made silk smoking jacket and sipped scotch all afternoon.
How DOES the other half live?
Sincerely,
J. Targetshoppington IV
I have a Rolls.
It is not a Rolls-Royce. It is a rolls downhill.
quote:
Originally posted by grahambino
yeah, i know how it is at Target.
Just the other day I was asking my butler's opinion, "What car should I take to Target, Reginald? The Bentley? The Rolls?"
It was quite the dilemma!
I couldn't make up my mind for the life of me. So, I just made Reginald go to Target for me, instead. After he left I donned my hand-made silk smoking jacket and sipped scotch all afternoon.
How DOES the other half live?
Sincerely,
J. Targetshoppington IV
Thanks for making me almost spit my drink onto my work computer from laughing....
yes that was funny. sadly that's how some target shoppers think of themselves (when they barely have two coins to rub together)
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
yes that was funny. sadly that's how some target shoppers think of themselves (when they barely have two coins to rub together)
Holy crap. You're claiming that the Target patrons are uppity?
Totally agree...those fat chicks in skin tight sweats and the beer gutted dudes in plaid shirts that don't quite cover the baby sure are high on the hog, look down their nose bastards.
quote:
Originally posted by Townsend
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
yes that was funny. sadly that's how some target shoppers think of themselves (when they barely have two coins to rub together)
Holy crap. You're claiming that the Target patrons are uppity?
Totally agree...those fat chicks in skin tight sweats and the beer gutted dudes in plaid shirts that don't quite cover the baby
heh, they way some people tell it on here, those people you describe are only found at wal-mart.
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
quote:
Originally posted by godboko71
To continue on the offtopic tangent, I doubt anyone that thinks Wal-mart has the cheapest princes on things compares prices.
Wal-mart may still be cheaper on some things, but for the most part with smart shopping you will save money going to other places.
yeah like Aldi for starters.
Aldi? Seriously?
You ***** and moan about cheap ****....well Aldi is the king of the cheap **** places. I've been in there once and I will never return. If I wanted "discount" off brand groceries I'd go to Las Americas off Admiral and Lewis.
I never said I wouldn't buy cheap ****. I said the **** at Target is just as cheap and of the same quality as the **** at Wal-Mart.
As far as "off brand" groceries at Aldi....what is the difference in buying Great Value at Wal-Mart or that Anderson Farms (or whatever they call it) at Target. They are just as "off brand" as Grandessa at Aldis. And milk is milk, they don't get Borden milk from a brand name cow and get Aldi's milk from an Aldi cow. Well, I dunno maybe you get all of your milk and eggs from the funny farm.
I love Aldi. I have a recycling center in front of the one at 21st and 129th East Avenue.
They have great prices and don't try to shove everything into bags I don't need.
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
I never said I wouldn't buy cheap ****. I said the **** at Target is just as cheap and of the same quality as the **** at Wal-Mart.
I can't say about the difference between Target and Wal-Mart store brand stuff, but I do know that Great Value macaroni and cheese is barely passable. Best Choice is much better. (Always Save is in the middle)
I will say one nice thing about Wal-Mart branded stuff: Sam's Choice fizzy beverages are excellent, with the exception of the cola flavor. Dr. Thunder and Mountain Lightning are very good.
There are degrees to the store brand things. Some of them are as high quality as name brand, some aren't. Some stores carry both types.
quote:
Originally posted by RecycleMichael
I love Aldi. I have a recycling center in front of the one at 21st and 129th East Avenue.
They have great prices and don't try to shove everything into bags I don't need.
considering that you have to pay for any bags you use, no I would say they don't shove them into bags you don't need.
This makes for great entertainment though, as people will try to carry as many loose items as possible. I see someone drop a whole armful of **** going out the door at least every other time I go. The other funny thing is the box scavengers who will take half empty boxes and dump them to store stuff in. This helps Aldi not have to throw them away, but the boxes are weak and I've seen the bottoms bust out of a few.