Big Frick Dot Com

Once again BigFrick to the rescue.

For all you lazy Luke’s and Last Minute Lucy’s; I feel your pain.  You see, I too procrastinate until the last possible moment before buying Christmas gifts.

It’s not that I don’t like buying people gifts; it’s just that I don’t like shopping, even for myself.  While some look at shopping as a competitive sport and will spend hours studying the playbook, more commonly known as the sale papers, I want to get what I need and get out before I am devoured like a limping zebra at the watering hole.

 My beloved first born makes a shopping trip almost like a scavenger hunt, checking competitive pricing on the internet before going to the store and then taking advantage of the oft advertised but rarely used price match policies.  She not only gets a discount off the store price but gets a discount below the competing stores price as well.  She is very much like me in that she too hates to shop but the challenge of getting the discounts and rebates are enough to keep her shopping cart rolling.

I, on the other hand, would prefer to pay a premium if it meant speaking to someone who knows what the hell they are talking about and are able to communicate that information in English.  I would pay even more if it would entitle me to expedited service through the checkout lines and still more for a few blocker cars to run interference and help me get out of the parking lot where carnivorous Christmas shoppers circle in wait for a harried shopping neophyte like me.

I considered shopping on-line this year and found a few interesting ideas. 

For the ladies on my list I considered the new line of high fashion pantyhose designed by that stalwart of American values Lindsay Lohan.  Ms. Lohan just released her new line of couture leggings called 6126 which include a pair of black nylons intentionally tattered with huge holes and runs down both legs.  These ripped up stockings are designed for the “I just had a terrible car wreck” look that is so popular today.  While they will only set you back a measly $80.00 per pair, I decide against it.

For the guys I thought that while Michael Jordan and Charlie Sheen are all over the TV tube hawking the working man’s underwear from Haines, if you really want to make a guy feel like a star down thar you need only buy a pair of Hanro Cotton Sporty Knit Boxers Model 3505.  These delightful underbritches are touted by none other than megastar and apparent underpants aficionado Adam Sandler, who wore them in a scene of that blockbuster movie “Spanglish” (at least I think it was a movie).  The little butt huggers are far from being tighty whities, advertised as full cut for roominess and comfort and only $70.00 per pair.  Once again, I decided against it. 

I had no choice but to venture out onto the precipice of insanity and go shopping. 

I wanted to go to a place where I could buy for just about everyone on my list.  My choice was the big box store that I racked over the burning coals last Christmas season for the inept, apathetic service delivered by teenaged assistants who were far more interested in scoring a little cuddle time with other assistants than helping confused shoppers like me.  I prepared for the worst, braced myself for the impending doom and went to Best Buy.

What a surprise.

Instead of having to search for a libido driven adolescent in a blue polo shirt I was greeted by a plethora of adult sales clerks, each asking if I needed any help finding something and even offering advice on some of the hottest items.  And this wasn’t at just one store.  I went to several Best Buys in three different states and had the same experience.  Helpful associates who didn’t point and say “It’s over there” but rather walked me to the items I was looking for and before leaving asked if there was anything else I needed.  At the checkout, there were sufficient registers open to keep the crush of shoppers waiting in line to a minimum and a few floor managers walking around asking if anybody needed further assistance.

It is obvious that Best Buy has made a corporate decision to keep as many of their currently cash strapped customers as possible in this recessionary market.  I wondered if the horrid job market played a part, allowing retailers like Best Buy to get more qualified, mature salespeople to work the floors than in years past.  Whatever the reason, it made me want to give my limited holiday dollars to a store chain that took customer service back to where it used to be.  Actual service.

While this experience may not make me look forward to Christmas shopping, at least I can walk with my head held high and my undies unbundled.

Even if they aren’t Hanro Model 3505’s.

Tags: best buy, Christmas, shopping