payless 50% off

[inkedmamajama]

did anyone use this coupon they showed on oprah yesterday?

i was so frustrated that it was only good till closing time today-we need winter boots for all of us SOOOO bad and there was no way i could get the money together in one day to go buy them, even with 50% off. i felt like oprah was out of touch, in that the majority of people might need more than 24 hours to use the coupon.

but...did anyone make out like a bandit?

[mnnice]

I bought ds2 a new pair of tennis shoes and six pack of socks for $13.

[JTA Mom]

Yep! I think Payless could only sustain 24hrs of such a sale though. Remember the KFC debacle??

I was down to my last pair of shoes--a pair of falling apart sneakers. I got 3 everyday flats, 1 fancy pair of shoes, and one pair of heels. Dh finally got a pair of running shoes too. all for $69. Finally, my inner cheapskate won out! I've needed new shoes for a long, long time. I was going to break down and get some--almost did last week! Thank goodness this came along.


Ami

[Noelle C.]

The KFC debacle was because the stores are individually owned, and KFC didn't clear it with all the stores before promising free food to everyone who pronted a coupon. Was this Payless deal similar, and are individual stores individually-owned? It also makes a difference between something being half-off and something being completely free for the taking by walking in the door.

[Hey Mama!]

Yeah, I'm bummed as well. I needed to get my older girls new tennis shoes but the closest payless is 40 mi away. I didn't have time to use the coupon.

[bwylde]

I didn't get there until last night and there was nothing for the kids, no boys boots at all and the sneakers were way overpriced to begin with so 50% off wasn't much of a deal. I got a pair of boots and DH got a pair of sneakers. It was still $65, but both were needed. I haven't had a pair of winter boots for about 10 years and I wasn't wearing sandals in the snow for another year, lol! (my feet are so hard to fit for shoes and boots)

[EarthyMamaofDaisy]

My DD really needed new shoes so I got her a pair of sneakers in her new size plus one size up. I also got her a 6 pack of socks because she only had a few pairs. I paid $18.48 total. I only had the extra money because I had gotten a Medicaid transportation reimbursement check in the mail. I definitely agree that some people need more than 48 hours to arrange transportation and/or to come up with the money.

[JTA Mom]

Originally Posted by Noelle C.

The KFC debacle was because the stores are individually owned, and KFC didn't clear it with all the stores before promising free food to everyone who pronted a coupon. Was this Payless deal similar, and are individual stores individually-owned? It also makes a difference between something being half-off and something being completely free for the taking by walking in the door.

Yes, Payless is like KFC--both expand by using franchises. So each Payless store is individually owned.

Corporate doesn't need to clear anything with any of the franchise owners. They control everything. They do sometimes have those 'at participating locations' line on coupons, but I've yet to meet a non-participating franchise--it's a quick way to lose customers. Also, this Payless coupon had no such terms.

While free is different than 50% off, it's still a big deal. Nothing was limited. Everything in the store, including sale items were 50% off. One of shoes I got was only 3.50. I don't think the store margins could take such a massive hit. Especially not for more than a day. I mean, it was on Oprah--she alone almost sunk those Texan ranchers. Her word skyrockets businesses and authors.

Ami

[Noelle C.]

[QUOTE=JTA Mom;14606212I mean, it was on Oprah--she alone almost sunk those Texan ranchers. Her word skyrockets businesses and authors.[/QUOTE]

It does bother me that she offers things that others have to pay for, people love her for it, and the companies have to take the pay. She profits on the loss of others. This has bothered me for years now, and it worsened with the free cars "she gave away" that were actually donated by the auto maker. She looked really good for personally doing nothing more than getting someone else give something away on her show. I'd like to see this billionaire-lady reimburse the franchises and all for the financial hits they take. THAT would make her look nice. Instead she looks good for someone else's loss....

[nichole]

I hope you are able to get the boots. I found my 3yo some at a thrift store. Can you believe they are stride rite and I paid like five bucks for them lol! I have tried several times to find second hand boots for my 5yo. I want him to have them before it snows. I think I'll just get them at Kmart. Kmart usually has buy one, get one 50% off on shoes. Old navy is having a sale now too but I don't know on what. If you go to their website, you click all around the manequins and if you can find the hidden coupon, you get a printable coupon that you could combine with the sale.

Is there a consignment store that will take any of your kids old clothes for cash? I just got $3 for an old coat.

[JTA Mom]

Well, Noelle, yes and no. She doesn't make anyone do anything with these promotions. It's also excellent marketing. Oprah just marketed Payless. Think of how many people who didn't shop there did, due to the coupon. A few of those will probably return.

It also creates good will. During tough economic times, people are going to remember companies going the extra mile. Lots of people benefited due to the 50% off coupon. I did. It does create some good memories for those struggling a bit and needing some help. Plus, with Oprah promoting them, it takes away from the whole 'Payless is cheap cr@p' argument I used to hear a lot. Now it's cool to shop there because, well, Oprah would! While looking to see whether Payless is a franchise or not, I came across them 'changing' their brand image. They want to be hipper, more stylish, not just bargain shoes. And Oprah helps this image. It's all a part of marketing.

I must admit, I had started to shop more at Target and Walmart for my shoes recently. Mostly because Payless became too expensive!

As for the ranchers, yea, that sucked. I did think she brought attention to the bad parts of CAFOs though.

Ami