Yeoman's in the Fork Blog

What is it about a sale that makes us all stop in our tracks and take a look at what the heavens are they getting rid of? It is true, my wife calls me the 'Clearance Sucker'... why not? Aren't we all supposed to be looking to get a great deal? I thought this was like #118 on the list of things for parents to relay to their children before they leave the nest! These days I must admit to having become somewhat numb by the sheer volume of SALE items, signs, banners and ads that present themselves from dawn to dusk. The marketers have taken over the universe!

While I know that I am venting a little about sale ads and the absolute pandemonium that seems to surround the entire retail world, I do know that I add just a little bit to it. Our store does put items on sale... We do send out catalogs (four times a year) that advertise special prices on certain items... Does this make me the distributor of the drug that so vexes me??? Holidays and special occasions have been so taken over by those wanting to make a buck, it is hard to distinguish what we should and should not celebrate anymore. Did you realize that you could be buying a package of aspirin that is on sale, using a coupon to reduce the price even further, while celebrating the National Richter Scale Appreciation Day (April 26) during the week that celebrates National Playground Safety (April 25-29). All of this is taking place in 2011 and we all know that this is the Chinese 'Year of the Rabbit.'

What is going on with us as a society? Have we lost the art of the simple pleasure? Do we just not feel satisfied or whole to buy something (a book for example) and enjoy it for what it is? Do we not find pleasure and comfort in the sheer fact that we can afford what we want (for whatever the purpose) and therefore purchase what we can afford? Take into consideration that I am writing this blog only three days from our own Big Spring Book Sale folks... This is our spring clearance event and thousands of books will priced from 25 cents to $5... OK, I am part of the problem! Gotta love America!

HA....

Mike Cotter, Director of Operations