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Tuition's paid, now where are the dorm deals?

02.08.11

When it comes to dorm shopping, the Form of 2015 is getting a crash course on savings before arriving on campus.</p><p> According to the State Retail Federation's 2011 Back-to-College survey, a majority of shoppers say the economy will stir their spending plans.</p><p> "College students and their parents, who are likely also spending thousands of dollars on training, will be looking for ways to stretch their budgets and find good deals this year," says NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.</p><p> But turning a ivory-box dorm room into a trendy home-away-from-home on a tight budget can be firm. Typical dorm rooms have two desks, two dressers and, at most schools, two extra long connect beds, which require special-sized linens. (No, regular twins won't work.)</p><p> "Whether they're freshman or seniors, students call for to customize their spaces and show their personalities," says Shawn McQuillan, assistant top dog of residential life at the University of Hartford. "Students use posters, bedding, breadth rugs and all the other furnishings to make it home."</p><p> But parents and students new to college sustenance can be overwhelmed by "dorm check lists" and "dorm pack" offers sent out from university housing services. The University of Hartford, like most other colleges, works with vendors such as New England Disciple Services, which offers rentals of combination microwave/mini refrigerators; and Residence Foyer Linens, which sells "value packs" that include complete bedding sets guaranteed to fit those additionally-long twin beds.</p><p> But to be sure you're getting the best deal, do some similarity-shopping before handing over your credit card. A mini-fridge purchased on sale at a big box count on sale might be more cost-effective than an annual rental - if the school allows you to bring your own, and if you can cloud nine it back and forth. Otherwise, the convenience of having one delivered and removed might be worth the extra cost.</p><p> Residency Hall Linen's college packs range in price from $130 to $200 and catalogue sheets, towels, comforter and other dorm basics. (Sheets are a poly-cotton mix; all-cotton is available at an extra charge.) Packs can be delivered to students' homes or on-campus addresses. Before you buy for convenience, disobey down the contents of each package to be sure you're not paying for things your student won't use. You may be able to do better shopping townsperson sales for just the items you need.</p><p> McQuillan, who coordinates a "UHA Cribs" dorm decor match in late fall, says parents and students can also save money by checking with colleges to learn what's allowed in the dorms and what's not and dividing shopping lists with roommates. At the University of Hartford, halogen lamps, George Forman grills, toaster ovens and well-known extension cords are prohibited.</p><p> "I hate to see people spending loaded on things they end up not being able to use," he says. "If students check with roommates, they can refrain from duplicating things like televisions, rugs, chairs and microwaves."</p><p> His view? Pack light for starters, and fill in after moving in.</p><p> Lani Murakami, divisional goods manager for O.co (formerly Overstock.com), says that's what parents are doing this year.</p><p> "More than ever before, we're seeing more consumers buying the basics and principled a few accents or fun pieces," says Murakami.</p><p> New on shopping lists? Bed lifts for more under-bed storage order, bed-bug mattress protectors and cushy fiber beds, in addition to egg-crate and memory-effervescence mattress toppers. (Those extra-long college mattresses can be lumpy.)</p><p> To foregather the demand, back-to-college discount sales are already underway at national and local retailers.</p><p> Christmas Tree Shops are contribution extra-long microfiber twin bedding sets for $7.99, peace-allegorical canvas wall art for $10, retro beanbag chairs for $20 and animal-imprint area rugs for $35. Additional college gear includes plastic fall caddies and laundry totes, inexpensive poster frames, faux fur throw pillows and folding storage ottomans.</p><p> Bed, Bath &#38; Beyond's "Stock up Your Pad" promotion features $15 combination desk lamp/organizers, $25 lap desks, $60 dorm arrange saver shelving units and $20 body pillows and back rests. Bed sets, with extremely long twin sheets, range from $70 to $150. An 11-piece dorm leeway set with comforter, towels, sham, sheets, wall calendar, crate and laundry bag, ready in four patterns, is $80.</p><p> TJ Maxx dresses up extra-long twin beds with Cynthia Rowley six-be upset bedding sets for $49.99.</p><p> Target, a favorite with students, has extra-extended twin sheets for $16, campy body pillows for $8 and heavy-responsibility surge protectors for $10 in its "Smart Campus Buys." At Butt.com, shoppers can download college checklists and shop by color or price. The chain is sacrifice free shipping on select merchandise orders of $50 or more.</p><p> Kohl's Trainee Lounge collection maximizes dorm storage with bedside caddies, collapsible storage bins, over the door accessories organizers, under bed shoe organizer and sweater shelves, all priced at $25 or less.</p><p> O.co gets students dorm-compartment-ready with inexpensive bean bags chairs, bedding sets, desk lamps and other chilling furnishings. Shipping, regardless of weight, size or number of items, is a flat $2.95 per reserve.</p><p> JC Penney, Sears and Wal-Mart offer free or low-cost site-to-value shipping. Online retailer DormBuys.com is offering a flat $2.94 shipping rank on all orders and a 10 percent discount for first-time customers.</p><p> No matter how carefully you research, expect a phone call from your son or daughter requesting an unforeseen dorm necessity.</p><p> When that happens, McQuillan says not to harass.</p><p> "We have a student shuttle to the local Wal-Mart and Target, which is where everyone wants to rat on," he says.

Source: Kansas City Star

Workers protest developer's potential tax break, closed meeting with BDC

28.07.11

Emanuel McCrae, a server at the Disney-owned ESPN Zone favourably before it closed abruptly last year, said he was upset that the BDC “kicked out the media.”

“That in clover that developer is getting, that’s public money,” said McCrae. “If I be to paint my walls, I’m not getting $3 million.”

McCrae said he had trouble making ends go through after losing his ESPN job and that servers “had an even harder time than me.” Five former ESPN zone workers have filed a group action lawsuit against the company, alleging it had violated federal standards for notifying and paying workers who late their jobs.

Tourist Mecca, “Poverty Zone?”

United Workers interviewed 1,000 Inner Harbor restaurant employees and published a write-up earlier this year saying workers face a number of barriers to adequate revenues, health care and quality of life. Servers, table busers and bartenders are made to ration tips, which means workers often end up with less than the minimum wage, according to “ Hidden in Simple Sight .”

Source: Baltimore Brew