Your View

I have shopped at fairweather and there no return policy is a joke.

I shop for the same jacket and i asked for a refund because they couldn't give me another jacket that was a better quality... so they only gave me a store credit!

They are stealing from other consumers.

I wish Ontario puts a legislation on retailers that use a no refund policy.

It should be reasonable!

You get what you give.

If you approach a clerk with a smile and a friendly word you usually get one back. If you approach a clerk with attitude you get it back.

So if everywhere you go people seems to be cherry then perhaps it is you that brings it out and if everywhere you go people are grumpy then maybe you bring it out.

Every experiance is made up of what we bring to it and what we take from it. Lets focus on the nice clerks, the helpful people, lets talk about them, lets go to their stores, lets reward the people who make a positive difference. Lets be the person who people are talking about as being the helpful one, the won who made a person laugh today.

Be the one who was understanding of what it is like to work for minimum wage, for long hours standing on their feet, with little reward, dealing with different and difficult personalities and being held responsible circumstances that are beyond their control.

PEOPLE GET IN THE SPIRIT OF THE HOLIDAYS! It is about Giving! :)

My favourite is when the clerk behind the cash continues to talk to the other clerk behind the counter although you have visibily approached the counter and are waiting to make a purchase.

They even make eye contact and continue to discuss what they are discussing. Usually nothing associated with work but rather last night's escapades or break time.

If these people for one second remembered my purchase paid their wages, they would think twice!

i think it is disgusting that we even have a column to make such pitiful complaints. there are people in the world, never mind, in our own country that don't even have the money or even a family to spend on christmas or with for christmas.

stop your bitter, pathetic complaining and do something useful with your time. tis the season for love and hope and peace.

what's wrong with this nation.

I'm convinced that no matter how bad your shopping experience, being in Customer Service this time of year, and even after (with all the returns) is worse.

Spare a thought for those on the other side, for those who have to deal with the season bringing out the worst in people and who must yet still adhere to "the customer is always right".

It is terribly sad that Christmas has become almost exclusively a celebration of PETTY MATERIALISM, and all because of capitalism and the fact that the alleged three wise men allegedly brought presents for the birth of Jesus Christ.

Go home and spend some TIME with your family.

Most of the people who are working just prior to the Christmas season are doing their best at whatever it is. Most are not highly paid and often are just part time to get through this season.

They are entitled to the respect and courtesy you would grant your own children learning a new job with little guidance from their bosses who are also swamped.

Get a life that is worth celebrating.

PS. Don't eat too much.

It is extremely frustrating to find a handicapped parking space taken by an able-bodied person while we who have legal passes have to walk a distance if we can find a parking space at all.

In the space of 30 minutes I saw three cars taking the space and no sign visible. There are always a few I guess who think they are beyong the law.

How can this be controlled? If I took their licence number could they be charged when reported?

I just read the comment posted by Jan of Mississauga, and it made me really laugh because what he said is funny, but it's also very true.

The Wal-Mart in Whitby can be classified as an insane mental institution because of all the people and screaming kids. The shopping malls are even worse, so avoid them if you can!

I just finished watching your story on shopping stress. I found your commento about grumpy sales staff upsetting I work for a large retailer and I am not grumpy.

Retail is a difficut and stressful job. We work hard stocking and dealing with "grumpy" 'tcustomers and most of us do it with a smile.

Please don't yell at us about prices or if it is not in stock we have nothing to do with these problems in fact we get upset to if it is not there, because we want it there too.

Don't rush in when you have to be at work or elsewhere in 5 minutes and except to be served as there are others ahead of you. So please apologize to us over worked under paid abused "sales clerk "

I don't know why people complain about the salesclerks. I feel for them. They have to stand in a busy, crowded, noisy, and sometimes smelly store with a bunch of cranky customers and screaming babies.

Plus they get paid crap for it. How happy and bubbly would you be in this position? I know I sure wouldn't.

In fact, I have been in that position and it is hell. Maybe try putting yourself in their shoes once in awhile, and imagine what their day must be like. Not saying that they should be downright nasty, but if they don't smile at you or act like Mrs. Sunsine, get over it.

Real complaints should go to rudeness of shoppers. Walking into others, stopping suddenly in the middle of the mall and causing others to bang into you, pushing, shoving, screaming kids.

Come on, who takes their babies/children Christmas shopping. Wal Mart at Square One is absolutely ridiculous; avoid it at all costs unless you are crazy. Try Zellers instead it's less busy.

Why do customers feel they can throw toys and items around the store (wal mart) and expect the employees to pick up after them? I know it's Christmas, but relax people. You arn't a bunch of savages. Or are you?

I just wish Rogers would hire some English speaking employees for once.

I tried to shop at a downtown Toronto store and could not believe the three employees in the store all speaking everything but English!

When it was my turn to be served they tried in their broken English to help me and then abandoned me when they were struggling and moved on to other shoppers that “looked more like them’. I am outraged!

My gripe is the music played in many of the stores gearing to the younger people.

When I go in I can barely hear the salespeople and need to scream to be heard.

This may attract the customers but for the older, and the sales staff the volume is distracting, and can probably cause hearing loss.

It is to the point where I will not go into some stores. Their loss in more ways than one.

Hey Everybody!Why complaining about Toronto shopping, just take a trip to the Downsview Merchants Flea Market and you will be amazed by the prices there!I

I bought my winter boots just for $35 the aame you see everywhere around town for $159 !!!

Why travel far for shopping if you have something better home!

Shop in the US on Black Friday! We've done it for years and laugh everytime we drive by the malls at all you folks all trying to fit through the door at once! Have fun!

Last weekend, my daughter took me christmas shopping and it wasn't half bad. Everything went pretty smoothly and we got all of our shopping done.

This week we went to the Toronto area for a business meeting my daughter needed to attend. I asked her to drop me off at the nearest mall while she attended her meeting. Since our shopping last week went well, i thought i would give it another shot and check out a real shopping mall with stores and shops i've never heard of.

The mall i went to was Sherway Gardens. This monster is shaped like a figure eight and is packed full of the neatest stores, shops and restaurants that i've ever seen [I live in the bush so this type of mall is new and fascinating to me]

Anyways, as i was wandering around checking out the sights, I ended up in a store called Holt-Renfrew, and started checking out the merchandise.

I could not believe what i was looking at, 1500$ shoes,
3000$ boots, toddlers clothing that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe.

I think i must have had a couple of brain aneurisms just standing there because a sales person asked me if i was alright. I was completely blown away, but I smiled at her and went on my way.

My daughter eventually met up with me at this mall and i told her about this store. Obviously she knew about it and laughed at me because she was picturing my reaction at the prices of the merchandise.

I then told her that if she really loved her pops, she might purchase me something from that store. She said "Of course i love you, just not that much". Ouch!

How about online shopping? I purchased some products from CBC shop to which I can not track. They charged me for them, they shipped them and they even gave me a tracking number!!

Now the rub: The tracking number is invalid my credit card is charged and 15 days later I don't even know if I will have my items for Christmas. So it really isn't just the malls Cheers and Happy Holidays

I don't mind if sales clerks / cashiers are not as knowledgable as they should be.

What do you expect for minimum wage? In fact, I feel for many of them, especially with the kind of BS they have to put up with.

Although for large purchases (car, tv or pc) and those that require contracts (cell phones), I would not buy from a sales clerk who is incompetent or doesn't know what (s)he is talking about.

Shopping nightmares, don't let it get you down. Just find creative ways to deal with it.

It's when sales clerks give you attitude that I become more offensive. Most of the retailers have improved in this, however, some of them still exist, especially in "high-end" establishments.

At an expensive fashion store (to be nameless) in Montreal, aside from not really wanting to serve me in English, the staff had a very snobby attitude and told me that they didn't have what I was looking for.

I knew they carried that product and called her on it. She then said it was sold out, showed me another less expensive product and asked me rudely "Do you still want it?" I never wanted in the first place.

She then suggested I try something on Ste. Catherine St. At this point, I was pretty pissed off. I said to her, "Do you own this place? No? How much money do they pay you here? You better cool it with your attitude because no one is going to take that kind of crap, especially not from a store sales clerk making $11 / hr."

IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT, giving is part of x-mas. Also if you can afford it, get the best presents you can for the people you care about.

And remember, giving should be unconditional and it is about the receiver, not the giver so try to pick something you know they will like.

Don't worry about trying to keep up with the neighbours, no one has to know what you got for who, only the receivers themselves. It's always better to give than to receive.

Enjoy your shopping, it too is part of x-mas.

I'm one of those rare women who dislike shopping at the best of times & during the Christmas season I absolutely despise it and will avoid retail establishments (except for grocery days) like the plague.

But I also love to see the faces of my children light up when they open their gift from Santa. Now most people say "buy early in the year, then you bypass the crowds"; however, I live in a 2 bdrm apartment with limited storage space.

I've come up with a very good solution. I save one vacation day for Christmas shopping. I use on a Monday, take my youngest to daycare at the usual 7 am, then I hit the stores. I plan my route the night before with a flexible gift list. There are no crowds ( most people are at work), almost no screaming children, the clerks are all fresh and very pleasant. I'm usually done by noon with time to wrap everything.

This may sound like I'd be rushed (I don't have a car & bus it everywhere), but by the end of the day I'm relaxed. I started doing this a couple of years ago because I get so stressed by the weekend crowds that my mood was affecting everyone around me.

I guess the only downside I've experienced is when I'm asked if my shopping is done and I tell them I won't start until the 15th of December. My you, I'm done that same day without the hectic rush.

Okay, for all of you complaining about the shopping experience, do us all a favor, stay HOME!

HMV has online shopping and you can actually pay interac, instead of using a credit card. The shipping is free and the transaction is pretty painless. Those of us who like to shop and yes, browse, even at this time of year do not want to have to deal with you!

Also, remember please the golden rule, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you are taking out an "unfair" corporate policy on a clerk please remember that they don't want to upset you any more than they have to.

They want to have a painless, happy day at work as much as you want a happy shopping experience. If they are blatantly rude then you can either chalk it up as they had to deal with some unpleasant individuals earlier or, if it is extreme, take their name and once you have calmed down, call the manager.

At this time, more than any other, I think we all need the belief that people are basically good. The best way to perpetuate that belief is to try and live it ourselves.

I love the holidays! I must confess - I manage to avoid most of the pains some people are complaining about - because I normally stock up on a whole pile of yarn in the fall - and I knit a present for anybody who I want to give a present to. I do it becuase I'm thinking of the person I am making the present for, and because I really enjoy knitting, and most importantly I guess, is because I WANT to. Oh, and I'm quite frugal.

OF the 20 or so people on my list, all of whom are family, a few of them will get gifts that are bought at a store - but only a few. And going to the store to buy one breakmaker, for example, is way less intimidating than going to buy the 12 days of Christmas.

Happy Shopping, and Splendid Holidays!

I read through everyones comments and I have to say that it looks like almost everyone's Christmas spirit is gone. Who cares how much your local retailer spent on decorations for their shop? Or how much you have to pay for shipping? Giving should be about making yourself feel good as well as the person you are giving to and having a little Christmas cheer while you're doing it!

If you don't enjoy the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping (I love it...nothing says Christmas like a chaotic shopping trip!) then just bake a basket of cookies or frame a great picture of you and your loved ones! I have given away many expensive gifts in my time and to this day nothing puts a smile on someone's face like a gift that shows them you put time and love into making them happy.

Merry Christmas :)

Being a wild land fire fighter for the OMNR I dont have to worry about Xmas shopping, when you live in poverty Xmas just doesent come,turkey dinner is a distant memory.Another Xmas where I have to tell the grandchildren that Santa couldent find where we live AGAIN,so to everyone who is upset at the shopping madness at the mall be thankful, things could be worse

I have a different perspective on this issue. I am a Canadian citizen who lives in the USA because I am married to an American (don't worry, I keep my distinctly Canadian identity!).

I also work in retail a few hours each week at a specialty store about an hour south of the Canadian/American border in Vancouver.

At least half our customers are Canadian, and obviously that number is higher ever since the dollar has been better. Plenty of my customers are friendly Americans (they're not all stereotypically bad), and plenty are friendly Canadians from all over the Lower Mainland.

However, we unfortunately have many rude customers as well, both American and Canadian, especially since the dollar is higher. Many Americans take the attitude of "Horrible Canadians, coming down and stealing our economy", and many Canadians take the attitude of "My money is worth more now. I'm better than you".

I don't suppose everyone could mature a bit and just be friendly to each other? No one is better, no one is worse. It would help citizens of both countries to treat each other as equals, but instead many Americans tend to be on the offensive, many Canadians on the defensive.

As for myself, I enjoy the good in both countries, acknowledge the bad in both, and understand that the bad of the USA has more ramifications worldwide, making it much more dangerous.

When it comes to me shopping though, I only do so for my closest relatives, and I make a list first, so I know exactly where I have to go. Everyone else, including my relatives sometimes, receives baking that my husband, son, and I work on together. That way we really can feel as though we are giving of ourselves.

I don't understand how so many people say they shop online, the price for shipping is often ridiculous, sometimes 25-50% of the cost of the item (especially for smaller items).

I know shipping is expensive, but the store should take into account all the money online shoppping saves them (cashier, people to stock the shelves, property cost and other costs of running the store etc) and give us a good deal on the shipping.

Don't make me pay more than 10% to ship it unless it's an excessively large/heavy item, and then maybe I'll start shopping online too.

The other day I was in a store and I was waiting in line. I was next and the girl called the "next in line" up the counter.

A lady who did not see me came over from another register and assumed I had some that same and butted in front of her. I had been waiting several minutes and this lady would not have it. She started yelling and screaming and swearing. She wouldn't move from the debit machine as I was trying to enter my pin.

The cashier explained to her I was in line but she must not have seen me. She refused to believe mine or the cashier's story and continued to make a scene. Needless to say everyone in the store thought I butted in front of her and was giving me dirty looks. The worst part about it...she was with her 10 year old daughter.

Now is that the proper way to act in front of your children? What kind of manners are you teaching them? When both I and the cashier and both agreeing i was next in line then maybe you should apologize instead of swearing and making a scene!

I'm very lucky to come from a tradition of homemade gifts. I knit (socks, puppets, mittens with sparkly pink cuffs...) and bake cookies

. Gifts I do buy usually comes from small independent shops that make handcrafted items. I also buy a few toys for the nieces and nephews from the retail stores because they usually ask for what they see on TV, but strangely enough they always end up playing with the puppets that I made for them instead.

I don't care for shopping & especially don't care for it during this time of year.

As for customer service failures and dealing with incompetent companies, I am starting to send them invoices.

Anything less than four hours to resolve an issue and I bill a four hour minimum. I won't divulge my hourly rate - but when I have to spend my precious time to sort out someone elses mess, I expect to be paid just as I would for anything else.

I think if more people start doing this - remember to send your backup etc when issuing the invoice - organizations will start to get the message and the overall shopping experience will improve.

The worst shopping experience I ever had was at the Bay about 30 years ago when I was a young teenager. I was in line to purchase Christmas presents.

The salesperson, who was wearing half a pound of makeup and clothes three sizes too tight took one look at me and called security, telling them that I was a shoplifter because I was a young, "ugly" woman. My mother (who was standing behind me) was not impressed.

I wonder whatever became of that clerk.

I love christmas shopping! 'tis all part of the season. I have found all the clerks at the stores I've been to very helpful and informative.

Perhaps this is because I stick to locally owned businesses - more expensive, but worth supporting the local economy. The hustle and bustle is what I look forward to and gets me in the spirit.

Why can't we have a more positive topic... like maybe acts of seasonal giving that we've seen? Why do we have to complain?

ho ho ho

The problem with Christmas shopping is that it's not about you -- your tastes, your values, your expectations -- but the people you are gifting.

Charitable donations, for example, make YOU feel good but why don't you just give charities the money and buy people what they actually want?

I prefer to give cultural gifts -- books, music, art, cinema passes, etc. -- rather than cheap plastic trinkets over-packaged and shipped half-way round the world.

Most of these items can be bought on-line from Amazon and eBay cheaply and easily and I don't have to queue or listen to inane holiday Muzak.

For the rest, I try to shop locally at independent stores. But that's what I like...

Unfortunately, many of my loved ones LIKE their plastic crap, and so at least one trip to the mall is required so I can mix it up. And if you don't go on Saturday before Christmas, it's pretty tolerable.

The only real problem with Christmas shopping is that so many of the customers are grumpy! I wish more malls had wandering carollers (sp?) to cheer people up.

Even crappy ole Dufferin Mall here in Toronto had live music from the Royal Conservatory students last weekend and it injected some much needed "lovely" into the atmosphere.

I've just finished reading Neil MacDonald's article regarding US/Canada new car price gouging and wanted to tie my shopping gripe into that story.

My gripe relates to Casio watches. I have been a long time user/buyer of the Casio G-shock watch and with x-mas here, it is time to update my timepiece.

But guess what? Many models are only available to U.S. customers even though these are listed on the casio canada website.

To make matters worse, some of the models which are available are almost 50% more! Nice way to reward loyal Canadian customers: tease them with product which is only available to Americans, and provide them with product that they don't want at incredibly inflated prices.

What's next?

Had horrible mall shopping experiences last year -- line-ups, overworked salespeople, mania.

This year bought everything at Etsy.com -- all handmade, all unique and beautiful.

Everything arrived fine by post & most sellers take extra time on lovely packaging & sometimes an "extra." So happy to support entrepreneurs & artists instead of malls!

Since the majority of people can barely afford to shop at Holt Renfrew and other swanky, "posh" places I personally hardly think that's a relevant complaint.

Those who can afford it can also very likely afford to take a trip to the U.S., where they can spend all the money they want on silly, overpriced designer labels.

Forget encouraging unaffordable designer stores; why not instead focus on encouraging new/independent botiques and shops for our cities?

Having said that, I have to agree with the people suggesting xmas shoppers try out their local independent retailers.

I don't really like shopping, although I've always enjoyed going with my mother to Whyte avenue just before xmas —we'd go during the morning, have lunch, look in the shops, and have a relaxed day out.

Being away from my family this xmas, I'll miss that more than I will getting presents and the like.

Stores in canada do not have the panache or quality of staff as the USA. Look at our venerable only posh store Holt Renfrew what a sad looking holiday store, it looks like they spent only 1000.00 on holiday decorations, staff reduced most probally due to people shopping in the USA.

Compared to Saks or Bergdorf Goodman NYC, anyone spending over anything from gloves or a 50k coat is a pleasure, at Holts it is torture, look at the sad gourmet dept, it shows a lack of thought and creativity, compared to Saks, Harrords lets not.

Canada needs a Saks or Neimans to make stores as Holts more competitive, currently they are uncreative and the only luxe in town, I would hold off my purchase and buy in New York City.

Simplest shopping idea I have found was to scope out the stores, finding what you are looking for and marking it down on a note pad then leaving.

The following day, be there at store opening, get the things you want & out you go... no mess, no crowds, no fuss! Also, please be nice to the cashiers, they are people too... they aren't the problem with the stores, it's usually the crowds.

So I shop Sears catalogue by telephone and visit their store for the bargains, use their "Outlook" coupons, show up on their Super Saturdays, use my Sears card, get the bill in the mail, pay it online through RBC the same day, well in advance of the due date...

and on the next bill I'm charged interest!!!

This is the electronic age... that payment went out of my bank account instantly...

Sears does encourage online shopping... but online payment... that is something else.

Two bad experiences, one online, one not. The first and only time I tried to buy something on EBay, I paid for the item by money order, and the delivery was fouled up by the courier company and the package was returned to the sender.

My money was gone, I had nothing to show for it, and the EBay seller posted an unfair comment about me on the website.

The second happened years ago in Toronto, when I looked around a natural foods store in downtown Toronto. The lone clerk must have had a personality disorder, because after I left without purchasing anything, she followed me out onto the street and then asked me if I had stolen a bottle of apple juice (!!!) I would shop exclusively online if delivery options were more convenient and tailored to my schedule.

I buy almost all of my gifts online. I throw on some Christmas music, light a fire and relax on my couch.

I started doing this because my family lives back east but have learned that buying online often means finding more unique gifts.

This year I gave someone a DNA kit from the National Geographic human genome project.

You can't find that on Robson.

Some young clerks see a grey head and think that because we are older, we have turned stupid.

Yesterday, in Walmart, the girl tried to tell me (after I found someone to wait on me) that no such colour of yarn had ever been in the store--I purchased that colour a year ago at that store.

She just walked away.

1. Finish your Christmas shopping in October. You know it's coming. Every year it does. Do it.

2. Shop Fair Trade. Most fair trade stores are small and friendly, plus you'll put up with lines knowing that your purchases are going directly to alleviate poverty.

3. Give living gifts. Check out www.mcc.org. In the past 4 years I've bought seeds, goats, trees and food for orphans around the world instead of buying some useless knick knack or DVD that'll be used once and then forgotten.

Merry Christmas.

Instead of spending so much time in the malls, why don't we take that time to go visit family and friends?

I'm sure the memories we create by having the time to really enjoy each others company, will last a life time. By next Christmas, the gifts from this year are forgotten.

I'm with Shannon: complaining over shopping, what a huge waste of time. just. don't. shop. nobody will die, be hurt or maimed as a result of you not shopping. in fact, you might save some money and a lot of stress trying to keep up with your friends, neighbours and families. yeesh, embarrassed is right.

I love shopping...even at this time of year. I just don't like doing it with my children. It's a very hectic time for everyone and leaving the children at home makes it a more enjoyable experience.

I haven't really had any bad experiences with any of the clerks....more with the crabby people in line in front or behind me. Merry Christmas everyone and enjoy all the festiveness of this time of year.

It's hard to comprehend most of the comments here.

I moved down to Nova Scotia from Ontario 15 yrs ago, down here there's still time for people to be friendly and nice to each other, even when Christmas shopping.

Clerks in the stores are still friendly with a bit of chit chat for customers.

Although when the line doesn't move fast enough, I still have to remind myself that's the cost of having good service.

The message is slow down and be nice to people and son of a gun they'll be nice back to you.

Shopping, trying to hand over money for goods, has become more difficult over the years. The model now involves several problem areas: parking, crowds, finding items, line-ups, snow, cold, time at the check-out, human interaction, aisle tv ads, store P.A systems, prices and taxes. All of these make shopping a miserable experience.
People can point to one thing that finally exploded their mental circuits in the shopping experience, but the entire method of shopping is calculated to annoy and frustrate most of us. A new model is needed. A reform of the present method, which has not changed very much since Mr Steinberg put carts in his grocery store, is needed.
Some stores have introduced customer operated checkouts; they fail because people do not like them and there has to be an employee watching. On-line shopping is a little better, but unless one lives in an urban area delivery is slow, expensive, sometimes impossible.
There may be a niche here for a "Buyer", a person who will go shopping for you and charge a small percentage for the trouble.
The bottle-neck, the frustration, the anger is focused at the point of exchange of money for goods. There has to be a better way.

Food for thought: consider doing your christmas shopping only in small business districts and not at the power centres or malls.

You will pay more for the products, however the trade off is less stress and the benefit of supporting local merchants.

It is far more pleasant to walk in and out of streetfront shops, even when it is minus thirty, than to spend a few hours in an enclosed mall with its canned music or to fight your way across a windy parking lot to get to a big box store.

You may even find a new cafe or bistro you have never heard of if you need to stop for a bite to eat or hot chocolate (or, better yet, a pint!) It is probably appropriate to disclose that I work for a business improvement district in Winnipeg so I am biased.

However, I do my best to support the smaller commercial strips throughout the city and I find customer service is often better at an independent store than at the majors.

Often this is because you are dealing with the store owner who has a vested interest in treating you well. So let's hear it for the independent merchants that keep our neighbourhoods interesting and lively!

Why not commit some (or all) of your holiday shopping budget to the independents?

While you're waiting in line for half an hour, do you not think it might be a good idea to get your money or card out before you get to the cashier, so that you don't have to start looking through your purse or wallet for exact change, airmiles cards, and coupons while everyone else looks on?

Sheesh.

Tic Toc. The time is passing by and people are in a hurry to get what they want and fast. Shopping now a days have seem to become more of a "get what I need and be out" instead of making it a casual expirience where you can be social with your friends and shop at the same time.

Why are people rushing all the time? There are alot of people that have good reasons for doing so and can give me a good answer but has anyone thought about planning ahead and not waiting for the last moment for everything.

That is why people are so stressed when they go to buy something and something gets delayed about 1 min past what they were expecting.

Wow big deal, so the cash register is broken, so what you wont be able to d anything about it so just try to enjoy ur goods and go wait in another line.

My wife recently emigrated from New Zealand, and she needed a voltage converter for her cell phone.

We went to The Source in Limeridge Mall, Hamilton. I warned my wife that I thought poorly of the former Radio Shack, but there were very few other avenues at that mall.

We explained our situation to Jessica, one of their staff, and while she was very helpful we ran into the problem of not having the phone with us to verify certain things. She was near certain they carried a converter that would work, but couldn't be 100% sure. Rather than chance it, we chose to wait for another day.

Another day, and another location of The Source (Jackson Square, Hamilton) my wife went in with her phone. As was usual with that location they had too few staff, and the one (briefly) unoccupied salesman flatly (and rudely) told my wife that they didn't carry voltage converters, and when my wife pointed to the wall of them he corrected himself and said they weren't the type she needed, that they didn't carry New Zealand to North America ones (despite what Jessica had said previously).

A week later we found ourselves back at the first mall, and phone in hand we plead our case to Jessica. 30 seconds later she had the correct converter, and 90 seconds after that we were out of the store with our purchase.

Needless to say we know which location of The Source to avoid, and which one to do business with from now on.

Fairweather - is a fair weather friend. I bought a jacket at Fairweather which has a no return, exchange only policy at the store only to find another on in the store next door of a much higher quality for the same price. S

ince it was only 5 minutes after my purchase and clearly I hadn't worn the jacket, I went back and asked to return it. I was pleasant to the clerk and when she wouldn't return it, I spoke with the manager who wouldn't return it either (5 miutes after purchase! I hadn't even left the mall!!)

I was getting pissed off as they could not give me a single good reason why they would not take it back. I didn't want the jacket anymore, as the other one was of a better quality so I had to return it for a store credit and went next door to buy the other one.

In the end, I was given a store credit which expired very soon afterwards, so basically Fairweather just took my money - period.

I have not shopped there since. This was three years ago, and I still tell anyone who is shopping with me whenever we pass the store. Hopefully I have saved other people the displeasure of having to deal with such bad service!

After years of draining my soul and bank account by going to the mall and buying gifts for everyone and their dog, one year I just woke up and said ENOUGH!

Since 1996 I buy only two things (online) for the holidays – two tickets to the
Caribbean for my spouse and I – PERIOD!

We spend the holiday season on the beach and return to Canada after the Christmas shopping madness has ended.

I make sure to use the rest of the year to spend quality time with my family and freinds.

Going away to an exotic island during the holdiay season is actually cheaper and more enjoyable for me than staying in Canada and trying to visit and buy Christmas gifts for everyone.

Call me selfish. I’ll take the title and all of its warm, stress free benefits!

Rick S.
I share your frustration with Sears. Here's my little Sears story.

I used to have a Sears card (I've since wised up and refuse ANY department store cards). I had a few small purchases on the card and owed roughly $50.00 on the account.

I got the bill - the minimum payment was $10.00 if I recall correctly. My mistake - I forgot about the bill and didn't send in my payment. The following month I get the bill again and realize that I had forgotten about it the month before. So I paid the entire balance by sending a cheque in the mail and never thought about it again.

A few weeks later I go to make a substantial purchase at Sears (of approximately $700.00) and provided my Sears card for the purpose. The cashier tells me I have to go see the client "service" counter, as my card will not work. I reluctantly did so where I was told that because I missed two payments on my card, the account was frozen.

I protested, of course, since I had admittedly missed one payment, but not two. Apparently once my cheque arrived at Sears it sat there for two weeks or so before getting processed and ended up getting applied to the account 1 day after the due date, thus making me miss two consecutive payments.

They told me I would have to make 3 month's consecutive payments on-time before I could use the card again. I'm not sure how they thought I would do that, since the balance was zero, but I didn't stick around long enough to find out.
I borrowed their scissors, cut up the card right there and then, cancelled the purchase I was trying to make in the first place and haven't spent a dime at Sears ever since.

That was about 15 years ago, so I think their exceptionally poor service has cost them a fair amount. They certainly did not get any of my business with the furniture, appliances, clothes and electronics I've bought over those years.

I have a gripe with Future shop.
I just purchased a new tv last week.
Its a pretty big one too, did all the paperwork with the salesguy, they want to charge $70 to ship. Now the tv weighs something like 80 pounds and the box is about 4'*3'*1' very easy to just borrow a friends van and take home.

However you can't do that, Future shop does not offer pickup on large tv's, you HAVE TO have them shipped. I was quite upset I wanted to take it home that day for free, but I was told I would have to wait 9 days and PAY to have it shipped.

I spoke to the manager how I thought that is shipping was manditory, it should be included in the sticker price, not snuck in afterwards.

He was actually quite nice, and gave the shipping for free. Still a pain.

I recently spent more than $2000 on a sofa, love seat and refrigerator at Lastman's Bad Boy. We agreed to have it all delivered on a Wednesday evening after 6pm, as my partner and I both work during the day.

I received a voicemail message at 11:30 am informing me, quite rudely, that they had attempted to deliver the furniture but, because I was not home, I would still be charged for the delivery attempt. I made several phonecalls to various departments, none of whom would take responsibility for the mistake, offer an apology or make any attempt to reschedule a delivery.

I was treated rudely at every turn but eventually got ahold of a manager. The furniture eventually arrived, but because the salesman had failed to write down that I wanted my old refrigerator removed, the delivery men refused to take it.

I then called the store again, now very angry and frustrated, and was told that the company would not pick up the refrigerator, regardless of the fact that it was their mistake and regardless of the inconvenience. Bottom line: not only did the company make 2 large administrative errors, but they refused to make any effort to reconcile the situation or correct their mistake.

The bad customer service was not from just one person, but seemed systematic in the company. I will never shop at Bad Boy again, and would rather pay more for furniture if that’s what it takes to be treated like a human being by a company.

Just a bad shopping experience to share...

A while back, I went into a Sears Appliance store (Ikea Mall) in Ottawa to purchase a new Washer & Dryer.

I arranged with the sales person, entered into the 'Delivery Instructions', that a call was to be made to my mobile number when the truck was enroute to my residence.

I told Sears that I'm taking the day of work because they would not deliver after 5pm.

I had errands to do (about 10 minutes away from my residence), and a call would have me at my place before the truck arrived. I thought that everything was set.

On delivery day, I quickly did my errands, returned home, only to wait all day. No truck.

After a frustrating run around with Sears, I found out that the truck was at my place when I was out, yet my cell did not ring, and no voice mail was left.

Sears told me that I would have to pay another $50.00 (On a $2,500.00 order) for another delivery time in the following week. If my old washer worked, I'd have consider it.

They also told me that they contract out their deliveries and it's not policy for the driver to call before a delivery.

Fine.

Then why did the sales man set this up on the day of the sale? I explained to him that I'll be taking the delivery day off, but will be within 10 minutes of my residence as I was taking the opportunity to run a few errands. A quick call would have had me there pronto!

On the day of the sale, I exited and immediately re-entered the store to confirm all this with him again. As my cell number was very close to my residence number.

I politely told them to cancel my order. And they did not even ask me why! I was astonished. Need to pass on my frustration, I sent an email to Sears explaining my situation. Since then, Sears has not replied (Aprox 1 year ago now)

I've not stepped in/nor online shopped from Sears since. And I don't plan to.

I've told about 20 people this story. I guess I need to talk to 30 more!

Merry Christmas!

im with you roch! nice to know that in between all the grumps at christmas, there are people like us to keep the salespeople from jumping off cliffs.

if you want to make christmas shopping a pleasurable experience, then howabout staying away from the walmarts and bestbuys and going to that street in your city that has independent boutiques and shops?

less lines, and friendlier service. i'm suprised that people expect cashiers at walmart making $8/hour to be overjoyed to serve you, their 600th customer of the hour...

I am not the most social person in the world, but I don't mind shopping either, even in this crowded Christmas season.

In general, I find the following tips seem to be very useful.

1. Be patient. Long lines are to be expected this time of year, and complaining to the cashier about the long lines only makes the line you are in longer for the people behind you.

2. Read signs. Make sure if something is on sale it matches the sign. If you're in a cashier's line, make sure you can pay how you want to there. (ie some cashes may be unable to take Debit/Credit transactions, others may be unable to take cash transactions but can take debit/credit)

3. Even during hte busy time, early mornings and early (weekend) evenings tend to be a LOT calmer.

If you don't like crowds, avoid the Saturday 12-5 period, and the Weekday 4-6 period.

4. Plan your trips and budget your time; if you only have an hour right after work, then going to Wal*Mart may not be the brightest idea for browse shopping.

In any case, go with the flow, take your time, chat with friends you're sure to meet in the crowds at the malls, (my mom and I were shopping this past weekend and we could barely go 5 steps before seeing someone else we haven't seen in a long time it seemed), and in the end Shopping can be very survivable and yes, even a bit enjoyable.

The last time (and it will be the last) I went into a major retailer I wanted to get some shoes they had on sale. The shoe department was full of lost-looking souls with one shoe in their hand looking for an employee.

After waiting around I finally took matters in my own hands and went into the stockroom and found the shoes I wanted. Of course, then I had to wait in line twenty minutes to pay for them. Retail is imploding! I'll continue to shop in thrift stores as much as I can, as I have for the last thirty years.

I leave all the shopping woes behind.

My mother and I go to Florida for Christmas and have stopped buying or receiving gifts.

Everyone is grown up and can buy what they need.

I gave myself a gift this year by lending money to a woman in Samoa through Kiva.

I will enjoy being repaid in the next 18 months and can then pass the monay on to someone else in a developing country who needs it a lot more than any of my relatives or I ever will.

I will celebrate Christmas by going to church and out to dinner for a turkey plate.

Mother and I will toast the day and avoid the malls.

Allan,

Maybe I'm lucky, but... I have never encountered a "discounted" giftcard or gift certificate.

And as for the recipient not using them, I always make sure that it is for a store that they frequent anyway.

For the restaurant gift certificates, I know that it may be a while before they're used, and I find that as long as you avoid the "Don Cherrys" of the world, they generally give you either a hand written certificate or a letter.

No chance whatsoever of them becoming discounted with the passage of time.

Every time I've given a gift certificate, the recipient has been delighted.

So while caution may be advisable, as long as they are well-thought-out and suited to the recipient, I find that they are quick, convenient, and avoid the whole issue of getting somebody something that they really don't want.

I cannot believe the differances in prices from one side of the border to the other ( 50 ft).

The only not so good thing about the states is the medical expense.

A 1200 sq ft modular home sells for $72,900.00.

The same thing (not as well built )in BC is 160,000.00.

Who do these modular home people in BC think they are ???

I'll bet the lumber to build the US home comes from BC.

If I could find a comparable medical plan I would move there in a minute.

The savings on shopping is like getting a 50 to 75 % raise. Shop local and support your hometown business... yeah right...

After phoning every electronics store and big box retailer in Winnipeg, then after going down in person and checking all the small electronic retailers- I have found that there isn't a single Nintendo Wii game console in the city of Winnipeg.

I can't remember the last time there was a shortage of anything costing retail $260.00 + tax- but this is completely sold out. (Still can get one online- e-bay is hawking them at twice the listed retail price).

When did it become political incorrect to call this time of year : The Christmas Season". Or even wish someone a "Merry XMAS"

Instead many retailers. ad papers, journalists, newspapers and media in general singularly refer to this time of year as "The Holiday Season".

Christmas and its meaning is slowly and surely is being removed from our vocabulary. Why?

Yes we have become a so called multi-cultured society. As I Christian I am not offend when I hear or read a reference or hear a greeting to someone who is celebrating their own religious holiday, when it is done at the correct time of year.

In turn why should anyone of another faith be offended to read or hear reference to Christmas greeting or the Celebration of Christmas?

The founders and ancestors of this country " Canada" were predominantly Christians and the majority of the people residing in this country still follow Christian values.

I for one will not shop or buy from any retailer that blantly refuses to recogize this time of year as the Chrsitmas Season!!!

Good tips, andy r. Good poetry, Russ.

We do very little shopping for Christmas, but when we do go into a shop, we go in with a pleasant attitude and a smile on our faces.

I expect every clerk could use a smile from someone at this time of year.

Just one question J from BC, How does one person regroup?

And a (perhaps slightly patronising) note from the perspective of one of those "grumpy clerks" (after many years of retail, specifically with books and music/DVD):

We don't mean to be rude, but during the busy holidays we don't often have the time to make dull chatter or do much other than take your money on behalf of a giant company (whose profits definitely don't trickle down) and shove your books/CDs/toys/clothes into a bag to send you promptly on your way.

Most of us are temporary staff.

We're even lower-paid than regular staff, and we don't get to take part in any of their bonus schemes, despite being integral for the company's sales — the incentive to sell just isn't there.

Temporary staff are often still adjusting to the store and its product and won't know as much as regular staff.

Having said that, your customer service "experience" may not be the greatest.

We don't want to do your shopping.

If you come in with a list of specific things you'd like to purchase, we will happily go through it with you quickly to see if we have anything on your list.

But if you have no idea what you're looking for, and you ask us to recommend "a really great thriller for [your] sister," don't be surprised if we can't help you.

We don't know everything about every type of product, and even if we did, it's not very personal gift-giving to ask a random shop assistant for their recommendations (and chances are, we're just going to take you to the boring "bestsellers" section anyway).

Also, don't walk in and ask for something vague: "it's that song on the radio that goes..." Please, do some research on what exactly it is you're after and we can help you from there.

And finally, please learn how to queue.

If there are four tills, don't stand in four separate lines.

Make one line and we'll call you up when we're ready.

It goes much, much faster this way, especially if someone asks a long-winded question or has to do a return or something goes wrong at one of the tills.

A quick note about the declining value on gift cards: most of them don't start decreasing in value until a year after non-use, not a few months, by something like $1-2 per month.

In some cases it's 24 months after non-use — but be sure to read the print on the back of the cards just to be sure.

It's a ridiculous stipulation, in any case, although I seem to remembered hearing about Ontario trying to ban this practice.

allan and Deborah - re. gift certificates.

Another thing I learned about these is that many of them decrease in value as time passes and eventually expire. So you might buy a $100 certificate today, give it as a gift for Christmas and when the lucky recipient goes to redeem it a few months later they find it is only worth $60 now. Wow - shocking!

Makes you wonder why. But more importantly - read the fine print! If I'm not mistaken, sellers are required to disclose this to you, so check it out before putting your cash down for a piece of plastic that might be worth only a fraction of what you paid in a few month's time.

By the way - I learned this only after having given a gift cert. as a gift and this very thing happened. A most unpleasant experience to be sure.

*BUYER BEWARE* this holiday season if you expect to save a few dollars from having items shipped from the US.

The internet grows day by day and as it grows more people turn to online shopping. Now with the Canadian dollar and US dollar at parity it has never been a better time for holiday shopping. Point click and you can expect great prices at your door in a few days. No need for the hassle of driving and waiting at the border. At least that's what I thought.

I found an item off ebay and at $64 what a great deal. At $15 shipping it was almost a steal. Low and behold when my package arrived. They charged me brokerage fees and my savings went POOF, goodbye. At $35 where was the justice. Never did I agree to such a thing? They kept it a secret and gave me a ding.

Unfortunately anyone who buys items online from the US who had shipping done by UPS will be surprised when a GIANT bill comes with their package.

They have been forcefully charging people brokerage fees for handling customs without the consumer's consent.

Other companies do this too but UPS is especially bad because they charge such a huge amount which diminishes any potential savings you had from buying online. Its not as if the buyer has a choice of what shipper to use since this is often chosen by the seller.

There is actually a very poorly documented Class Action Lawsuit against UPS for this very reason right now. But I'm afraid that even if UPS loses the case no one will even know that they can claim their money back that was taken from them.

Get to the store early and save one's self the headaches of dealing with rude and obnoxious people wanting to buy buy buy and having to listen to those horrible x-mas songs over and over: an MP3 player while shopping is a must.

Most gorcery stores are open by 8 or 9 am. Retail outlets are usually open by 10. I find that if one gets to a store within 30 minutes of opening, there are few people in the store and the parking is very good. I usually spend more time in the checkout lines than I do shopping because of the lack of staff.

I hope that all our troops make it home safe whether I agree with the war or not.

I just want some of you posters out there to wish me luck.

My daughter is waiting for me to finish this post so we can go Christmas shopping.

I haven't been to a shopping mall in quite some time and if memory serves me right, it was not very enjoyable.

Hmmm....maybe I can drop her off and hang around at a Tim Horton's or something.

This year I shopped where I didn't have to deal with crowds, wasn't forced to buy what everyone else was buying, where I could take my time, relax, often enjoying a cup of coffee while discovering the greatest assortment and variety of unique products available... on-line.

Im a Canadian but I live in a very small town in a country Down Under, where we pay almost double if not triple for what you guys pay back home.

The other day I went shopping at my local hardware store, like home hardware, and they had a few desk organisers item on the gifts shelving with a price of $21. (a little pre-fab wood thing with 6 small compartments or so for pens, paper clips etc.).

They had two colours, silver and black, which suited each of my kids' desks perfectly.

I noticed only 1 was in a box so I brought it and another display one up to the counter and asked for the box to the other one.

They informed me they didn't have it as it was old stock.

I stood there thinking it over, while the clerk just stared at me. So, I put the display one back which was also full of dust half expecting her to offer me a god deal for it.

When I went to pay for the other one, the grand total discounted price was $2!!! BIG Deal!!!

Then I told her I was willing to take the dirty display one as well, without the box and asked if I could get a better deal on that one.

She relented and gave both to me for $15 each.

I swear the thing would have been $2 on clearance at any Zellers or Walmart bin, but like the person who was from NWT, you get no choice in remote places like this.

If you have a mall in your town, be thankful!!!

Deborah, Newfoundland

I'd recommend a little caution on the gift certificates.

While they certainly appear to be a simple and convenient gift, that certificate may end up like the tie you once bought for Uncle Charlie.

Still in the package.

Consumers Report in the U.S. claims one of four simply aren't redeemed.

That's inspite of better consumer protection rules as well.

Reseachers in Canada say its about the same rate here.

I'm not certain of the $figures in Canada but those not used in the U.S. were worth some $8 billion in a year.

That just seems am amazing pile of money for retailers to get for next to nothing, don't you think?

There were news articles running about this in mid-November.

I despise the frantic, sweaty, seasonal shoppers with their mumbled "I hafta buy this for..."

I love Christmas and even give gifts to virtual strangers, all handmade by me, because it gives me pleasure, keeps me from spending and truly, being thought of is the best present of all.

So for the 92 family,friends,co-workers and neighbours I plan to give to this year, it cost me about 200 dollars and hours of pleasure and joy.

Expensively cheap, but at least an honest attempt to say, you mean something to me, I thought of you.

Oh, poor, poor us - we have shopping gripes. Good lord.

I heard the other day that a fellow military member considered leaving his family after coming back from an operational tour in Afghanistan, because he couldn't stand how spoiled his kids seemed, in comparison to what he'd seen over there.

Fortunately he decided to educate them a little bit instead, since he'd just had such a vivid education himself. Perhaps we could all do with a little eye-opener.

If you don't like shopping, don't do it. It's easy enough to have a buy-nothing holiday. Donate a little to charity while you're at it. Honestly. Having a discussion board to complain about shopping is the kind of thing that sometimes makes me embarrassed to be from North America.

Kudos to all who have had positive comments. Overall, our western culture is often too focused on the negative, so it is nice to see.

For my Christmas shopping, I make a detailed list of what I want to buy, then I take a day of vacation to hit the mall early and meet my mom for some one-on-one time. We use our time in line chatting and catching up - no stress, and little pressure.

As another poster mentioned, I love shopping for my kids, and I also buy many smaller gifts for extended family and close friends and their kids, not because I feel I have to, but because I enjoy finding 'just the right thing' for the people who are important to me.

And I always pick up a few toys for the charities that provide a little Christmas cheer for the needy.

Finally, I agree with Roch - individual shopping experiences are 90% attitude. I've found that if I'm patient and pleasant, the clerks are patient and pleasant right back.

Keep smiling, all - it makes people wonder what you're up to :-D

Thanks Russ! That is a fantastic little poem.

Christmas has turned into retail gold and greediness.

However, the little bit of shopping I did for the neices and nephews I did in October early November. So Christmas shopping is out of the way, I can spend some time with my family and friends and actually enjoy the Christmas season.

Merry Christmas!

I get my haircuts at a major big box store. A few weeks ago, as holiday shopping was getting underway, I happened to be waiting on a bench outside the salon, behind the long row of cash registers. I

got to looking around and was astonished to see how many security cameras were installed on the ceiling of the facility. Then I noticed that there was one camera per checkout, poised directly overhead of the cash clerk.

Then I noticed that the cash clerks were dressed like billboards with all sorts of buttons and adverts on their smocks. Then I noticed that there was another row of checkouts where there were no cash clerks, only smart machines...

Then I thought back to my small town youth. It was not quite a Rockwellian moment but close. I remembered that we used to shop in shops downtown; but also the more distant mall for various things. I also remember talking to people I knew on the sidewalk. Bells weren't exactly tinkling, but I felt human and I didn't ever consciously think of myself as a "consumer" or muse about the person serving me as "labour".

But that's how I felt the last time I got my haircut - like the big company I was patronizing was in the business of thinking far too hard about how to releive me of my money and deprive their workers of decent pay and basic respect.

I'm not saying the possibilities for rewarding shopping experiences are dead. But they're fighting a desperate rearguard action and they're losing. And must of us will be the losers in the end.

for once i am completely in agreement with roch!

there are so many options for xmas shopping nowadays... do it online, do it in early november, do it at 3am... nobody has any right to complain if the option they chose is to hit the city's busiest mall on a saturday afternoon.

bless you roch for finding so many constructive ways to use your shopping excursion, and for checking out the babies.

Two words.... Gift Certificates!!!!

For a couple... to a restaurant.
For a teen... movies or Tim Hortons.
For a senior... their favourite grocery store.
For a single man... Canadian Tire.
For a single woman... A spa.
For an older child... Chapters.
For a child... Toys R Us.

Other than taking care the ones to go under the tree for my own children, I rely heavily on gift certicates. Quick, easy, and always appreciated.

The most fun gifts to buy are the ones for my own kids anyway, so that is pure pleasure.

As for the clerks: Be nice to them, and they'll be nice to you... 95% of the time.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Russ,that was pretty awesome.The rest of you posters,I hope that your shopping goes smoothly and I hope that you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New-Year.

Thank you to Russ for the peom. My thoughts exactly . my only shopping Nov-15 Jan.15 is limited to food, drugs and essential household stuff that I may run out of during that time.

On the other hand I let myself tempted by phone ordering and have been given the run around by the cosmetics company Yves rocher for is taking 3 weeks for shipping an order between Montreal South Shore and downtown Montreal and to my home address after 1) supposedly credit card problem (nopes, somebody took the number wrong, my credit card Co has no trace of anything declined); 2) pretends that some items were not in stock (everyting was available at time of order) .3) keeps ignoring my Office address I gave as a delivery address over the phone 3 times and ditto by e-mail; since, as many people I do work outiside during the day and therefore cannot receive a courier package at home 4) is now offering me a rebate for a future order but still NOT delivering the package where I want it to. 5) no one mentions there was a problem with a delivery address that was NOT one's home address.

I am now having fun with Creduit card company toprove I did not receive the goodies and make them cancel the transaction.
From now a plane ticket is the only thing I buy not in person!

Customer service anyone.

Haha man Russ I loved your post, solid work there.

Anyways yea most points have already been put out.

It's all perspective and maybe just not shopping at all if you don't like it.

No need to get caught up in all the consumerism, but if you like to that's fine too (just don't complain).

I definitely agree with those saying cashiers need more credit cause its not the most pleasant job at times when you get lots of customers harassling you, but at the same time some cashiers do get out of line, which is still a rarity.

I don't care much for the holiday season and it's just another day for me, but I'm glad winter is back since sometimes nothing beats seeing your own breath on a nice cool day.

I hate shopping.

I love Christmas.

Solution: Donate goats via World Vision to people who have vegetation, but no milk or meat.

Peeve: apart from my talent for always picking the slow line, I find that little old people who begin to search for their bank card, or pennies at the bottom of their messy purses, after the goods are all bagged up, drive me crazy.

Like many others here, I find the best strategy for avoiding the annoyance of Christmas shopping is to just not do it.

However, on occasion I must, so I grin and bear it as best as I can. But it is an experience that reminds you how much our society is losing its mind and becoming even more (if that is possible) self-centered.

As for the clerks, I am often surprised at how they seem to hold up remarkably well despite having to deal with one ignoramous after another, all to earn the few bucks they get for their troubles.

I think that in general they do not get the credit and appreciation they deserve.

This year after a wee bit of begging my GF is making me Meatloaf, lots of it, enough for leftovers for a couple of days (love her meatloaf). I think I will get her some warm wool socks (nothing like good socks to make you feel warm and comfy).

That's it. That's all. No standing in lines or rushing around like idiots. No worries in the new year when the bills come in, and it lets us spend a little more on the grandkids (clothes, not toys they already have way to many of).

For to many people Christmas has become a battle to keep up with the folks next door with the only winners in the end being the retailers.

So to all here, have a great christmas, hope you and your families are well, and all the best in the new year. (allan from kamloops: my dentist thanks you as your posts have caused me to grind my teeth to nubs). HOHOHO

'Twas a few weeks before Christmas and in every store,
kids were throwing tantrums, chanting more! I want more!
The crowds had turned ugly, fighting like it was for food,
and the whole reason for this? - The birth of some dude.

The store clerks all rude, the lineups all long,
the shoppers driven crazy, by the words of a song.
"It's the most wonderful time" seems a little bit ironic,
when the only wish on folks' minds is a stiff gin and tonic.

An XBox for Sammy and an iPod for Jane,
the cost of this season has gotten insane.
I want this, I want this, I want this, I want that.
Wish-lists so long, they think my wallet is fat.

But sadly to say, I'm not made of money,
and the credit card people all think it's funny.
When my card limit is hit, they'll call me and offer,
a credit increase - it's a great way their proffer.

This season, as last, I avoid all this dread,
and now I give money to charities instead.
The needy are helped, my spirit's a lift,
and those who really need it, will now get a gift.

While the rest of us live in our material life,
many a person or animal is faced with some strife.
Pet shelters, the homeless, the food banks and such,
can sure use a hand - and they'll thank you, so much!

In support of Wagbagger of Sudbury who wrote

a fella in army garb comes into the store...
This guy walks up to her,gets down on one knee and asked her to marry him...She just started to cry and proceeded to hug this guy for a long time,...Nobody seemed to mind though and I don't think that there was a dry eye anywhere to be found.

I just wanted to say "thank you" in this post 9/11 day where everyone is always watching their backs and "political correctness has overtaken logical thoughts" we need more FEEL GOOD stories like this one

When you're in that long line, and ready to blow a gasket, stop, take a deep breath and try to imagine how many abusive idiots that clerk may have had to deal with before you got there.

If there's a problem with the register it's not the clerks fault, if there's only 3 out of 15 registers open, it's not the clerks fault, if the clerk doesn't have the information you're looking for it's probabley because he or she is temporary, for Christmas, and hasn't been given any training.

If all else fails remember, You get more flies with honey than vinegar, (treat people nice, or they won't treat you nice).

I agree with Roch. Christmas shopping is 90% attitude.

Yeah,I know it can get pretty crazy but if you're a festive kind of person and have a little patience,it can work out fine.

I remember waiting in line at a department store a few seasons back and I noticed the cashier was big time flustered because of how busy and hectic it was in there.

Even though she was pleasant with the customers,you could really tell that she was having a pretty bad day.

I was probably waiting in line for 20 minutes or so and she was busier than you can imagine but still friendly when a fella in army garb comes into the store.

When she caught sight of him her jaw nearly hit the floor and i think everybody in the store noticed.

This guy walks up to her,gets down on one knee and asked her to marry him.

She just started to cry and proceeded to hug this guy for a long time, all the meanwhile the line up is getting longer.

Nobody seemed to mind though and I don't think that there was a dry eye anywhere to be found.

We learned that he had been stationed in Kosovo for a lenghty stay and returned that day without letting her know.

That was probably my most memorable Christmas shopping experience.

I love shopping!

The only problem that I find is that usually my wallet gets empty long before I tire of shopping.

And the people!

Everyone is so much kinder at this time of year ... seems most of us have a little extra patience, and an extra smile to go around.

We should have Christmas every month.

Twice a month when there's a great big dumping of snow!

Most of my shopping is done and no problem so far.

I've been spreading it out, not rushing it and just enjoying it.

Not overspending and not spending because I have to.

I don't buy for everyone and those I do buy for, I look for something at a reasonable cost.

Be surprised, some people might appreciate a puzzle book or two, throw in a pencil and eraser, for curling up with on a cold winter's night.

Not everyone wants to sit at the computer, open the laptop, everytime they do a puzzle.

Does a puzzle book seem cheap? Well add in some hot chocolate. And, if you can add yourself...

I've seen some price drops via special sales. Not impressed.

The prices should be lower across the board and be remaining that way for a while!

Unlike others, I'm having no problem with saying Merry Christmas and I think many are just griping more than necessary about this political correctness thing.

No one has said people can't wish others a Merry Christmas.

Living north of 60, we have one of the smallest and worst Wal-marts in North America.

What stock is on the half empty shelves seems to be the left-over crap from the southern stores that weren't able to sell it and some people here are deprived of large mall shopping so they will buy anything to get the spending fix.

A lot of the time the newly arrived stock sits in boxes on pallets in the middle of the aisles until someone finally decides it needs to be unpacked making it even more difficult to shop if you happen to be pushing a cart.

Unless I am really in need of something that Walmart might have, I will try my Damdest to buy it somewhere else in town before reluctantly treading into the "Wally-World" (Walmart) store here.

You know, I've had mostly very pleasant experiences whilst Christmas shopping, and I actually have most of it done!

I have also found most staff helpful, if a bit harried, but I suppose that is fairly common at this time of the year!

The only frustration that I have had so far was when I was in one department store, and they were announcing various sales over the intercom evey thirty seconds or so for the entire time I was in there, which I must admit made concentrating on what I was meant to be doing rather difficult.

Needless to say, I was in there trying to make a decision for a bit longer than I thought I would be!

Nevertheless, as the minutes ticked by, I started to find the situation funny, rather than vexing.

Laughing at ourselves and our own initial reactions to inconveniences is the best way to deal with Christmas shopping frustrations.

I don't terribly mind the lines at the cash register, because I worked in retail for quite a while growing up, and I can well remember how stressful this season can be for the person working behind the counter.

And the time standing there also gives me a chance to regroup and figure out what I still need to do!

So, my advice to all you holiday shoppers is to take a deep breath, try to see the humour in the situation (trust me, it's usually there), and just look forward to the moment you are finished and can go home to relax with your family.

I for one, would rather look past the commercialization of Christmas and learn to enjoy it in a more slow-paced/low-key way, than to swear it off altogether.

But that's just me.

I spent one day dealing with long line-ups when there was not enough cash registers open, not enough staff, and total arrogance by so many of the big box stores to their customers!

Now,I am back shopping on line in the U.S. What a pleasant way to shop!! That's it for me.

Walmart,Costco,Zellers,Superstore.etc.etc.etc. I won't be back!

(P.S...Costco was the worst for not enough tills open, not enough staff, and too many people that made no effort to help! Very poorly trained staff!)

My issue is with all the self checkouts.

If I have to use them, why am I not getting a discount? Most of my other issues are with other shoppers , and their rudeness and crudeness to Sales people and cashiers.

Shoppers should not take it all out on the little people, and perhaps when they go home, simply log into the company website and vent to them.

Try on put yourself in the other person's shoes before you open your mouth to complain. It also goes a lot further to use actual words found in a dictionary.

No stress, no parking problems, no surly sales people, no traffic, no headaches. All done from the comfort of our home, sitting in front of the fireplace, sipping some nice Chardonnay.

Unfortunately, Canadian retailers did not see one cent of the considerable amount spent. All our purchases were made on line with US-based outfits. Sorry Canadian retailers, but until you learn what 'customer service' and price/value is, you're outta' luck.

Oh, and shopping on-line in the US, there is no problem in saying "Merry Christmas" unlike in Canada this time of year continues to be sacrificed on the altar of political correctness.

"Merry Christmas" and enjoy the presents under the "Christmas Tree".

And to Canadians who are less fortunate, may the peace and joy of the Christmas season, in some small way, give you hope for 2008.

Xmas shopping used to be my worst nightmare.

Now I'm like Noel King of Calgary and simply give this retail-driven lunacy as much avoidance as is possible given that so many seem to lose complete control of themselves at this time of year.

I get a kick out of watching the sheer shock on some bozos faces when they start into their Xmas gifts "blah, blah, blah" and then ask me how my shopping's going.

I often just say I did my grocery shopping yesterday or something to that effect.

If pressed by those who missed the point, I tell them I don't do Xmas, which invariably has them sputtering, not sure whether to believe me, be angry or what.

Sometimes, to my complete surprise, a person will blurt out how they so envy my choice, but...

It's a very quick way to get the conversation turned to something more interesting.

But on occasion, just as I anticipate will happen here, someone will start into "oh, you are just such a grinch" or equally inane and I simply nod and smile. It makes my day.

Now don't even get me started on what I think of the Boxing Day participants.

A festive collection of dents on vehicle doors - like Rudolph ploughed head-long into the side of it. Curses rain.

So whatever happened to manufacturers and retailers reducing prices here in Canada like they said they would do a couple months ago because of the high dollar?

I recall them saying their inventory was already stocked, but they would implement the price cuts in future.

The future is here, but the price cuts are not.

As usual, Canadians were played for a fool. Not me though, I went shopping in the U.S. and got amazing deals on the same stuff I'd buy in Canada.

As for this article, buy online; you avoid people altogether. It's not the shopping malls that are annoying, it's the people in them, especially those of you who have no idea where you're going and are always in the way!

Noel - I guess your name is ironic now? No complaints but a quick story.

I worked retail for years when in school. Lots of hours over the holidays. My favorite holiday grouch was the guy who didn’t like the boots he bought from the store and rather than return them he tossed them over the crowd (including kids) at the counter and swore loudly.

I wished him a Merry Christmas (still allowed back then) and he swore more.

So please remember, if you are a grinch, stay home and away from people who don’t mind being happy.

It was stress free and simple.

Online shopping with a $25 maximum per person.

It's done and I can focus on family and friends in peace and prosperity.

Merry Christmas and thanks to our Canadian Forces - we luv ya.

Holiday shopping is no problem. I don't exchange gifts with anyone who can buy gifts for themselves.

If people can't deal with live Christmas shopping, then shop on-line.

My experience has been sales clerks are generally quite pleasant and helpful, long lines provide time for me to reflect on life (and check out the babes), fine print helps my concentration, and sales pitches for extended warranties helps me to hone my negotiating skills.

Grouchy shoppers lack Christmas spirit. They are easy to spot. They walk too fast. They scowl. They complain. They moan and groan, and say "tsk!" very loudly in between sighs.

A pleasant Christmas shopping experience is 90% attitude.

My only gripe is simple grocery shopping is terrible.

Yes, I shop at Walmart, so, it's already terrible and with Christmas shoppers, even worse. I just want a box of Kraft Dinner, ketchup, and maybe some chicken strips and have to wait 1.5 hours to get it.

I don't go to the malls and I called Christmas off, this year, since the idea of forced giving doesn't appeal to me versus handing out a gift on May 13th just because I felt like it.

Ya, I know, I'm a grumpy spirit for not falling in line to the idea of giving to people because I'm suggested to or told to or bullied into it or, my favourite, guilted into it.

I wish it was just another day.