Thursday 23 April 2009

How stimulated are you?

It's official, Australia is finally in Recession. The Recession we had to have.

Yes, I know, we aren't very original are we.

All the signs were staring me in the face today. It was strangely ..... quite stimulating.

My daughter rang to say that, "Kev came through for me last night". I told her that some things a mother doesn't really need to hear. She explained that she was referring to the "stimulus payment she got in her bank account overnight". (Kevin is our Prime Minister and the bonus payments are being issued to most tax payers to boost spending and help the economy).

While at the shopping centre I noticed this advertisement in the window of a Peter Alexander store. Unusual marketing concept. Strangely enough, it works for me (what do you except, he has been sleeping around for 20 years - Peter is a bedwear designer and now has stores in the USA).

I bought a pair of shoes. Well a girl has to do her own part to stimulate the economy. The salesperson said, "Now you can choose any handbag in the store". "Excuse me?" I said. "Well", she grinned, "with every pair of shoes you buy, you get a handbag for free. You can choose any bag in the store." Go figure. The bag was more expensive than the shoes. How can they afford to do that? I almost felt guilty....for a second.


Finally, I called by my parent's house and Des was doing some secret sales business on the phone. His side of the conversation went like this.

"I am looking for a new Panasonic DVD player".

"No, sorry, I don't know the model number. I have a catalogue here but I cannot read the number properly because I'm almost blind. And there is no-one here to read it for me. All I know is, it's $499."

"No, I would like to but I can't get into the store because I am crippled. I would have to send my daughter in to pick it up for me. What is the best price you can give me?"

"Oh, that can't be right. Did I hear you right? I'm deaf you know. Surely you can do better than that. I spend a lot of time watching videos as I can't move around much. I'm 82. Watching videos is about as stimulating as it gets at my age".

"Thank you very much that is very kind. Can you put one aside with my name on it and my daughter will come in and pick it up."

He gets off the phone smiling. Bernie Madoff is that you? No he didn’t lie. He cannot walk without help, is very deaf and he is almost blind. Don't feel sorry for him. He knows exactly what angle to work it. After all, he has been working some angle or other all his life and has always managed to get a bargain on everything he buys.

Now I just have to go in and pick up his DVD player ....

And, in the spirit of sharing in these harsh economic times, I am prepared to hire him out to do your buying. His overheads are low. He just needs a comfy chair, a phone and the occasional nip of whisky. And best of all, he is very agreeable.


Have yourself a stimulating day won't you?

65 comments:

  1. Hi Lilly, I joined this group http://connect2mums.ning.com/ to meet mums who "share on babies, bedroom & beyond!" Join us 4 latest info on bubs, kids, tweens & mums 2! It's fun & free! I will also send an email invite!
    Claire xo

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  2. I can't wait to receive my stimulus package. I'm not good at economics and have no idea how effective this is supposed to be in the long run, but what the heck...I would love my $900 for now! :)

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  3. Des is a charmer...kudos for him still being able to work it ;-)

    Now I knew it took a long time to get there...esp by boat, but just now in a recession. And ole Kev there has evidentially been spending time with Obama they "like" to stimulate alright! (I not really into the blank check signing thang)
    But, I am so happy you got new shoes and a bag girlfriend that is fun news :-)

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  4. For some reason, I am finding the phrase "stimulus package" remarkably amusing.

    It sounds like something one might purchase at an adults only store. *cough* Not that I would know!!

    x

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  5. good for him working it! Lucky you guys for getting stimulus checks...we got that last year, nothing this year. This year they decided to give all the crooks who robbed so many of us for years--HUGE payouts. Basically our stimulus payment last year was just a reimbursement for the outrageous gas prices they were getting away with.

    Truly, we never win.

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  6. I would love to receive such a stimulus payment! But not here! Here the crooks in the government took it all, already... :)
    Much worse for us is the drought. This is what needs "stimulating"!
    Your dad is hilarious! He should write a blog! :)

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  7. Your dad is a hoot. He should have his own reality show.

    As far as the stimulus package goes, W had a lame attempt at that a couple of times while he was sending us down the proverbial and literal river. Now, our President (you know, the one with the brain who believes in following the Geneva Convention laws?) is left trying to clean up the mess.

    And, btw, I LOVE the advertising you've got in your shop windows. I'd certainly stop in and see what I could do to, ahem, help the economy.;-)

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  8. MUST HAVE NAME OF SHOE/HANDBAG STORE! PRONTO!

    And while you're at it, I'll take the name of that model in the window.

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  9. Love me a good Des story :) I heard tell once we had a stimulus check, it was here and gone before I even knew we were going to get one! Way to grab it and go.

    So Peter has stores in the US? I'm off to google then... that is one heck of an endorsement in the window!

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  10. Your dad sounds like a character! He reminds me of my dad, including the almost deaf part :-) Makes him all the more lovable.

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  11. Here on our side of the world, its all about taking; nobody is giving anyone any kind of cheques, stimulus or not. So we do these little mango bargains here and there and stimulate ourselves with the fruit, and impending blogger lunches.

    I think the time has come to present Des the Bargainer Emeritus Award. Recession or not, Des moves in the BIG LEAGUE. I mean bargaining over Panasonic DVD players and getting them at a price he says, is like taking 10 wickets in an innings or throwing Googlies at Panasonic. (If he can work it with airline tickets, I am interested . In the meanwhile, I am buying lottery tickets.....)

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  12. We already had our stimulus check last year and we just got a reduction in our withholding tax...a few bucks. Nothing to do much good but good enough for politicians to boast about.
    I like your deal ...buy a pair of shoes and get any bag free...now we're talking.
    PS Can you give me Des's number. I'm tired of wheeling and dealing!

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  13. Your dad sounds a bit like a man after my own heart. My partner hates going shopping with me. I'm always on the lookout for a bargain and even when I find one I will torment the sales assistant to drop the price a little further. It's surprising how much they will drop the price of an item all to make a sale. I was recently on the lookout for a top of the range backpack, you know the sort of thing I mean - compartment for a sleeping bag, pockets for this and that and a large compartment for carrying all the other things now deemed a necessity for hiking. Well, I eventually came across one in the sales it was originally priced at £80, but had been marked down to £60. After some careful negotiation I managed to get the price down to £29.99. "Not bad!" I hear you cry.
    But wait there's more. I also got the assistant to throw in two aluminium water containers priced at £10 each.
    Just goes to show what a little gentle persuasion can do.

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  14. If you got your humor from your dad then both of you together must be a riot.
    Apparently he hears better when the price is low. I wish him the best and hope he is able to enjoy the picture and sound of those DVDs.

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  15. I've told you before ... I'll say it again ~ I LOVE your Dad!

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  16. Your dad is oh so humorous! Woohoo for new shoes and FREE bag!!

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  17. Des is after my heart, think you could bring him to Seattle! I can see where you get your great sense of humor. Love it! I got the last stimulus package, but didn't see any offers here as good as you have there. Not that I'm complaining about the money,you understand. Have a great weekend!

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  18. I think I could have him over forever! Would you give me a discount in that case??

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  19. Oh Des... what a crack up!!!

    A free handbag!!! I am addicted to handbags... I would have purchased 10 pairs of shoes!!!

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  20. good stuff on the new shoes and handbag...and your dad's a good shopper..funny! Let's spend our way of of this recession!

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  21. No stimulation going on over here in Hawaii yet, however, would you mind sending Des over here please?
    We could sure use his help to get some good deals.

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  22. DES Rocks! You should be very proud of him. Now he needs to figure out a way to get you to pay him to go pick it up for him. Tell him I said hello from way over here in the States.

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  23. Well done Des.Just goes to show how attitude can be more important than facts ! Are you still banned from Blogging ?It's time we heard from you-- straight from the horse's mouth as it were.
    love xx

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  24. I am loving that stimulus package sign! I think I need one of my own.

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  25. Your dad sounds like a really cool guy! What store did you buy your shoes in? I wish stores here did things like that.

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  26. I love free stuff. My heart skips a beat when they advertise, buy this and get this free.

    I love hearing Des stories. He's wonderful.

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  27. Hi Lily! I found you from connect2mums :) and just love your humour! Des sounds just like my dad was - always an angle, always wheeling and dealing!

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  28. As always I am stimulated by your thoughts!

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  29. Your Dad is a genius!

    And how lucky were you to get a free expensive handbag with your show purchase!

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  30. Having only just done my tax last week - I will be waiting a bit for my $900.

    Was at the airport AGAIN yesterday and got chosen for RANDOM, yeah right, bomb testing. They waved the wand over my LeSportsac handbag - did I already tell you this? I told somebody - might have been my digital scrapbooking forum. :)

    And I will be at the airport AGAIN week after next, going to a digital scrapbooking conference. Lucky me!

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  31. that pic is hilarious. and in the midst of our "recession" our gas prices just went up... ugh!

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  32. I'm stimulated enough to have a Prada bag and a Prada bag backup. Free handbag guilt? NO such thing. I think I would respond with deep feeling to a free handbag with each pair of shoes, & buy more handbags, with I'm positive is the PR point. ~Mary

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  33. OMG free handbags. It might be worth the airfare. I am coming down under. That way I will pick up Des becuse I need to do a bit of bargaining over here. We will be able to get lots of whisky duty free that way. How is he with air travel? Signed Sarh, the 5ft 8, 120lb Goddess

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  34. Hi, just dropping by to let you know that I have awarded you the "You don't say award". You can pick it up at Bella is reading . . ..

    I am giving this to you cause you are a 'new to me' blogger. Have fun!

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  35. Well that store front guy got my stimulus going! LoL

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  36. I have just been stimulating myself (don't get any other ideas) by going to some 70% off sales. If department stores are still earning profits with 70% off, then we have been had for a long long time. In the meantime, let the SALE-sales bloom and stimulate the economy.

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  37. Gosh - those stimulus packages sound good! I'm afraid I'm not doing my bit for the economy as I don't like shopping very much. (Shock! Horror!)

    Still, my weekly intake of chocolate should at least boost the salary of cocoa farmers...

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  38. Des sounds like a ton of fun.

    What was the name of that store who gave you the freebie handbag? Or is it too late.

    Have you thought about buying a vibrator for your daughter, apparently a sex therapist (Laura somebody, sorry laura) appeared on Oprah recently and suggested mums should do that for their daughters. OH MY GUD.

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  39. Your Dad sounds fabulous :)

    Can everyone please send "stimulous" vibes to the NZ government...I want one!

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  40. Oh, he'd do well in India!! Bless him. And can we see photos of the shoes AND the handbag?

    btw love your Blog Community Widget. I'm copying you :))
    (except it says I have no name!!!)
    xxx

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  41. Hilariously written post! What a great essay.

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  42. I love your posts about Des. Makes me miss my own Dad, who was also a character. Hmm, I may have to write a post about him.

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  43. I can't stand that ..the only stimulus package I'm getting is our Prime Minister's ....

    I'll give back the $900 for sex and dark chocolate.

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  44. I'll take the $900 err Sarah...

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  45. Hi Lils!

    Can your Dad negotiate with some utility companies for me? I also think he should be put in charge of US Congressional budgetting.

    Do we get to see the purse?! ;)

    {xoxo} Juls~

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  46. Hi Lily, thank you very much for visiting my blog, you always make my day=)

    are you kidding? a nice bag with a shoes? the closest thing i get for a giveaway is a green bag.

    ps
    your dad sounds like a very sweet and smart guy too! hehehe i am desperately in need of celfone as my old phone broke down(after 5 yrs of service). i wonder if I can have your dad haggle for a new phone for me;)

    Take care Lily.
    And best regards to your dad:)
    Man, i miss my dad!

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  47. Hahaha..stimulus package....NICE! hahaha And I love your comment that you felt guilty about the free handbag...for a second. haha I SO love coming to your blog. You always have something fun, exciting, and funny. Lifts my spirits and inspires me like you would not believe.

    **BIG HUGS**

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  48. We had stimulus payments just before Bush went out of office. We had to fight to get ours by contacting our state Senator. Boy, that picture is a bit risque, for a window display, but hubba, hubba(this is an old saying from the 1950's), it means you are so good looking. That handbag is a nice idea, bet they sold lots of shoes, maybe they received a stimulus payment also.I always like the bargain "buy one=get one", especially if it is milk, which is most of the time over three dollars. Have enjoyed coming by and thank you for stopping over, have a wonderful week end my friend.

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  49. Lol!!! Too funny Lilly. Have a great weekend across the waters my friend.
    Gary

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  50. We actually bit the big one and bought a trailer. I don't like tenting!! I figure the only debt we have is our mortgage, so why not? And, hey, we might just help the economy!

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  51. I think Des sounds quite sublime.

    Nearly every country is cajoling their populations to spend...maybe people have realised that all this buying doesn't really make them happy

    (except handbags and things in black and white)

    :)

    henry

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  52. how well could be adapt to the texas heat and rednecks?

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  53. Well welcome to the American way of life... RECESSION! Maybe you (Australia) can put in for some bailout funds we seem to hand out to everyone!!! All the best, Steve O

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  54. My stimulus package requires batteries. On a COMPLETELY UNRELATED note, I could sure put Des to work...

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  55. I loved this post! Nice to get a laugh out of this crap economy. You are the perfect gal to do that.

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  56. Hor funny and the comments are funny too. Have a great weekend.

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  57. @ Ugich

    I think the time has come to present Des the Bargainer Emeritus Award. Recession or not, Des moves in the BIG LEAGUE. I mean bargaining over Panasonic DVD players and getting them at a price he says, is like taking 10 wickets in an innings or throwing Googlies at Panasonic. (If he can work it with airline tickets, I am interested . In the meanwhile, I am buying lottery tickets.....)

    Des is on the case, which airline do you prefer??? Lets just say he is very competitive - must have come from his cricketing days....

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  58. I'm sorry ya'll are in recession too!

    I've never made my own PB, but Alton Brown has a recipe that looks really easy and good off the food network web site...you should try that!

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  59. I wonder if Des can teach classes...I could use the help in working some deals of my own. And dang a FREE bag with the purchase of shoes....definitely a HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY moment!

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  60. Your Dad is a star! Must run in the family...

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  61. Okay. He's hired. I'll do some online shoe shopping, send him the link the the pair(s) I want, and let him do the rest. Does that sound agreeable? :-)

    Blessings to you, Lilly!

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  62. Love the advertisement, Lilly :)
    It works for me too...LOL!
    Have a Happy and Stimulating Weekend :D

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  63. Your father is a hoot!! My father isn't!!!LOL

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  64. I ♥ Des stories.
    I am not being stimulated ...*sob*
    I always get a smile on my dial after visiting you though.

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  65. A free handbag? Now, aren't you glad you stimulated the economy? :)

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Thanks for your comments.