Australian sales are things of legends. Not because they're ancient or monumental, but because the term "sale" is just so incredibly far from what actually is happening. There are millions of signs proclaiming "sales," but few, if any, of them actually are remarkable. In fact, most sales are remarkable for being unremarkable.
I'm continually blown away by ads promise an amazing 25% off all dresses! 25%! To an American, that's practically standard. Our ears don't really perk up and register "sale" unless it's 50% (acceptable) or 75% -- now that qualifies as amazing. It doesn't happen every day, but it does actually happen. (Have I mentioned how much I love Kohl's?) And it's allowed to use amazing when it does, because 75% qualifies. 25% does not.
Supermarkets are also continually spruiking items evidently meant to be on sale -- but really just not-so-creatively relabeled. 2 for $7.50!! screams an ad for products normally costing $4 apiece. Or 3 for $10 -- when they're $3.30 to begin with. Keeps you on your toes, I suppose, but really. Just give me a sale for goodness sake!
(Oh gosh. Now does that need an apostrophe? It feels like it does (after the last s, obviously. and certainly no additional s nonsense), but it looks a bit funny. I'm leaving it out. Hope you don't mind. Glad we've settled that.)
Thursday, November 17, 2011
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1 comment:
Technically it needs an apostrophe but most people wouldn't bother so it falls into the 'usage' category.
And yes, we always get amused by things like 2kg bags of potatoes for, say $4 but 1kg bags are $1.98 each. My husband (a maths teacher) likes to remark that it's to catch out the ones who can't do maths.
We are a two-person household so it can be a bit disappointing to see food that is genuinely on special but, due to the quantities you have to buy, it would actually work out dearer for us because we wouldn't use it all before it went off.
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