Chadwick's and Bedford Fair Catalogs: Review

Pity the mall store owners who are waiting and hoping to lure me into crossing their thresholds to purchase their wide assortment of wares. I am not a member in good standing of the "Shop til you Drop" club. Admittedly, there are times when I must swallow my pride and step foot into the mall but it is only as a last resort and I then become a woman with a mission--find my item and get out quickly!

Catalog shopping is a welcome solution to walking endless corridors and hallways to find that "must have" item. Catalog shopping with Chadwick's and Bedford Fair, two well established women's clothing and accessories catalogs, is an alternative to shopping in "brick and mortar" stores.

Selection of Merchandise
In Chadwick's and Bedford Fair's catalogs a range of ladies' clothing and accessories are available to peruse. The pages contain different categories of items such as suits, shoes, accessories and the all time favorite clearance section which I check first, especially at the end of each season. Sales and bargains and markdowns are offered in Chadwick's and Bedford Fair on par with the local retail stores. I do not need to look through endless racks of clothes to find a blouse that I like. In fact, less stock often works well for me. Chadwick's and Bedford Fair offer clothing in sizes ranging from petite to Misses.

Shop without Pressure
One thing I dislike is to go into a store and have a salesperson lurking around the corner watching my every move and asking if they can be of service. I can appreciate that they are told by their employer to approach customers but I will approach the salesperson when I need assistance. I prefer being left alone to look at the merchandise because sometimes I do not know what I want until I see it. So, to be asked "what are you looking for" does not always have a ready answer from me.

Price
Chadwick's and Bedford Fair catalogs offer sales in their catalogs and on their websites which can amount to quite a savings if you have the patience to wait. Both catalogs will send out coupons to eliminate shipping or offer a percentage discount on their merchandise to encourage you to spend. I notice that if there is a hiatus in your ordering habits, this will often trigger a coupon or special offer to be sent to you by mail. The catalogs make use of email addresses to inform you of the latest offerings. However, you are free to unsubscribe from their mailing list if you prefer not to be notified of special offerings.

Armchair Comfort
Next to price, my favorite reason for catalog shopping with Chadwick's and Bedford Fair is that it can be done from the convenience of your home without traffic and parking hassles. There is no need to be concerned about hours of operation because Chadwick's and Bedford Fair offer 24 hour customer service to take orders and resolve problems and complaints.

Websites
Visit the website www.chadwicks.com and www.bedfordfair.com to view their online catalogs. For convenient ordering, you may call the toll free numbers listed on the website for quick service and to speak with a customer service representative.

Disadvantages
As a proponent of catalog shopping, I must be fair and mention the downsides of catalog shopping. It is true that sometimes the merchandise pictured does not match your perception when you receive it. However, with the zoom feature that is offered by Chadwick's and Bedford Fair, you often can get a close up view of the item and the color samples. So, for the times that items must be returned, I can share a helpful tip. When you receive merchandise from Chadwick's or Bedford Fair, carefully slit open one end of the package. Review the contents and if it is necessary to return the items, turn the vinyl package inside out, place a new label on the package and return. Some catalog companies will either refund your postage or will include a postage paid label for your return. Other companies will deduct the return postage from your refund credit.

Although both Chadwick's and Bedford Fair have their own credit cards, the rate of interest is quite high. If you use the Chadwick's or Bedford Fair credit card, I recommend that you pay off the balance immediately or within two payments to avoid high interest. I find that the major credit cards might be less costly if you have a low annual percentage rate.

Catalog shopping indeed offers the opportunity to shop 'til you drop in the comfort of your own home!