Trip to the store is a Pet Bloggers Market Research time
I had to find a new dress for the Jewish Holidays so last week I went to the Mall to check out what was available. There were a few dressed I liked but nothing that I was in love with for any number of reasons. I did find a shirt I liked for an interview I had last week after trying on about 25. I usually have really good luck with INC ad I did love one of the shirts but it wasn’t going to be appropriate to pair with a skirt for work let alone synagogue. I thought it would be ok for work but got voted down. I am crossing my fingers it is still there and on sale in a few weeks and I can get it for BarkWorld to wear one night and to take with me when I visit a pet brand’s headquarters next month.
Today I had to take some time away from Blogging and all the behind the scenes work to go out again. The first store I tried today had a dress I liked but didn’t carry it in the size I was looking for and instead of offering to order it for me and have it delivered to the store (so I could save on shipping) they told me to order it online. Well ummm. No. Since I couldn’t try it on in the size I wanted I had no idea if I would like how it fit in the right size or and which one of two sizes would be the right one. So off I went to another store one that I tend to refuse to visit because in Miami the store was always trashed. I hated to even go to the strip mall it was in because my skin would crawl. I don’t care what kind of deals you could find there I couldn’t walk into the store.
Well things are a little different here at the Ross in Gainesville, Georgia and the store was amazing. The clothes were on their racks and the other stuff was not in the middle of the floor or vying for space. I didn’t feel like the store was going to swallow me whole. Everything had its place and some of the things were really nice. In fact I found two dresses I liked just not sure which I am going to keep. Now you are wondering how I could think a trip to the store to buy a dress could turn into a Pet Bloggers Market Research. That’s easy. I spent more time in the pet section then I did in the dress section. (I tried to find either of the dressed online to show you but they don’t show their merchandise. I did find that the dress I am iffy about because it is a print in pretty bold colors is apparently a fall trend. Things Pet Bloggers learn in a day. I went to a second store hoping I might find an even better dress or skirt set but they had absolutely nothing. They did however have a more extensive pet selection.
I checked out dog beds and cat beds took pictures of bowls and toys re-hung their bling collar and flipped everything over so I could check out the back of the packaging or the bottom of the product to see who the manufacturer is. I was even impressed to find that one of the pet brands who even 6 months ago that made their treats in China now makes them in India. Still not the US but maybe a step in the right direction. I know the people in the store were interested in what I was doing considering I was moving things around so I could get better pictures on my Blackberry on some of the items. They sent two people to the back to keep an eye on me. Which is fine with me. They never told me to stop taking pictures or asked me what I was doing but all of a sudden it was very important that they do inventory in a nearby portion of the store. I continued doing what I wanted to do and it was clear I wasn’t harming anything in fact my genuine interest might have brought a few people over who were just walking by browsing.
While the Pet Product selection at Ross and Marshall’s is not all that extensive they do have some great brands and products to offer at really discounted prices. Think half off what you might normally pay for the same items. Of course it is going to be hit and miss but it is very possible to find some real treasures like I did today. Yes I will be contacting a few brands I would love to work with at least it is on my to do list sometimes it is hard enough just keeping up with the pitches we receive in a day. But every once in a while while doing Pet Blogger Market Research I come across something I really want to feature.
I wouldn’t ever think to look at Ross for pet stuff! I saw some stuff at my last trip to TJ Maxx, but wasn’t impressed. I will keep it in mind next time I need something big for the dog (like a bed) though! Thanks 🙂
And yes, I’ve turned random trips into “market research” for the blog before. In fact, just this past week I found a few good ideas for DIY projects 🙂
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Both Ross and Marshall’s had great dog beds in all sizes.
I am a huge Ross fan, though our local store can be quite trashed. I love scanning for new products and doing blogger research, I never know what great brands I’ll discover.
I find myself constantly seeking out new products so that I can be more informed..and I look at everything I do as a possible blog post. In fact, I have about 20 “In the bag” or “in my mind” but not on the blog…teehee. My trouble is I am better at the prep work then I am at the blog work!
Still Blonde after all these YEARS recently posted..911: Women over 45, Never ever forget!
I have way more fun with the blog work then the prep work. I can pretend I am over 45 and blog for you and you can pretend you have a dog and do the prep work for us. lol!
I don’t do it so much shopping in person as I do online and when I’m going through new magazines- I always find new stuff in them.
I know I should subscribe to some magazines because I always find fun stuff in them when I do have one in my hands but I feel like i will never have time to read through them.
Reading your blog really makes me want a dog of my own. If I ever have the chance to own a dog I would love a cavalier. Thanks for making me want a dog even more now.
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I never knew Ross had pet products. See what I learn on your blog!
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You might be a pet lover when…
So very true!
I love to go to those stores it is like treasure hunting. Yes, I shop all the time.. you have to be a blogger right?
I think I am probably missing out on interesting stuff by shopping online for the basics I normally use
Lena – @elenka29 recently posted..Walking Off pounds with Omron Pedometer
Online you are less likely to have impulse purchases. At least that is the way it works out for me.
Actually = we have so few stores around here, so it’s basically Walmart and Walgreens, unless we go to the Big City. I’m learning that online shopping is the way to go!
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I always check out the pet department, I may not need
it but i always need things for raffle baskets and goodie bags
Those are both great reasons to check out the pet department.
I really love your blog, thanks for all the great info. I do seem to look at pet stuff when I go into any store that has it. I don’t always buy, but I love to see the selection and prices. My hubby gets mad at me when I do that, but if I don’t look, I won’t know what is out there!
naturally like your web-site however you have to test the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very troublesome to tell the truth then again I will certainly come again again.