retail thriftiness - brand new bargains

Greetings all,

I love a good bargain.  Even more so when it's an adorable brand new product - i might have paid full price for - with a tiny fault.  Triple awesome when it's marked down to $2!!

 I took this Cotton Candy sweet baking set (pun intended) to the counter to double check the mark down.  "Bug in candle packet" well that's good enough for my children . . . they don't eat the candles & the bug was so incy wincy, hardly a concern on a birthday cake which has dozens of germy children heaving & blowing over it at a party.

 Nice surprise when i got home & opened it up properly, a biscuit stamp, adorable.

 A little while ago i found this mint-in-the-box $150 camera on the "$2 Not Quite Right" table.

 Even as a decorator piece (i sound like Frank & Mike on American Pickers) . . . but it actually works, i still can't find the flaw.  If you were alive in the 1980's the back of this camera will bring back memories.  My children still ask where the 'screen' is??!!  

 Mass manufacture discounts i can understand with huge profit margins covering hiccups, but when you find a handcrafted pear like this beautifully detailed felt one, you wonder who made it & how can it possibly be for sale at only $5.  I appreciate & cherish it. 

 Now i've shown you some Alannah Hill 'damaged stock' bargains before but this frock . . . "$399 broken zip $40" . . . even if you took the bow off the front & made it into a headband you're ahead.  It's much cuter on, with those little tassels shimmying, i buy these dresses on a whim (size 6) for when my girls grow taller & get hips, for future dances, socials & formals.

Now i won't be fighting my daughters for any size 6 clothing, but i have been after some Converse sneakers (for years actually) & boom, found these on the "$50 last sizes" table.  Better yet, they fit my eldest daughter - who already has size 10 (40) feet like her Mama - so we can share.  We will get these shoes down to 5c a wear, i promise you!!

Retail is hurting, lots of businesses are closing down . . . once loved stock - they're glad to get rid of it for a pittance.  You just have to keep your eyes peeled & some gold coins in your purse for those enormous impulse bargains.  I just found a gorgeous Esprit long denim skirt 80% off & i thought, well i'm not seeing my sister these school holidays, $20 is a fraction of the price i'd spent on fuel alone to visit her, so i popped it in with her son's July birthday gift i was posting off, as a little surprise.  

Have you scored yourself some crazy bargains lately, better value than second hand in Op Shops??  Do share, won't you??  Love Posie