Preview Sale

Ahh, the latest in sales tricks at department stores, the big “preview sale.”

I was shopping on gift cards given to me for my birthday. The department store was Macy’s but they’re hardly the only guilty party.

So here’s the deal with the “preview sale.” You spend your money, and the store will always be happy to take your money up front, but you have to leave your purchased item there in the store. Does this really make sense? Why would anyone do this?

Can you believe these department stores being so sure their lowly customers are desperate enough to have a pair of relatively common shoes, for instance, that the customers will pay and be forced to walk away empty-handed until the store is in the mood to call the sale officially on?

Bad idea, Macy’s, and all the other department stores using this lame sales tactic.

I walked away without dropping any money there. I’m just not as desperate as Macy’s would like, I guess. Maybe when the sale is really, truly, most definitely begun, maybe then I’ll gather my gift cards up and shop there.

My best to you,

HWD

Finds Along the Ride

We went out for a last-minute ride today near home, and sometimes those are just the best. Rain was threatening to happen, so we grabbed helmets and took off, glancing at the sky every so often between sightseeing to be sure we weren’t headed into the thunderstorms.

What’s so great about these kinds of rides? It’s what you find along the way, the planless enjoyment of going nowhere in particular with all the scenery you can pack into a couple of hours.

Our surprise finds this time were a bit of mountainous scenery tucked away along a quiet stretch of road, and a brand new summer lunch stand near a lake, one that I remember from childhood with a different name and owner, but just as great.

Great start to warm season riding!

My best to you,

HWD

For Science

If it’s an update on science you’d like, check the following:

Scientific American News

I get my science fix there when I’m in the mood for it.

My best to you,

HWD