Texas Sales-Tax Free Weekend: 8/17/07 - 8/19/07 (Happy: foreclosure, mortgages, to buy)

[beowulf7]

Interesting discussion. I wasn't aware that TX had this "holiday" until I heard about it on the radio. I somehow missed it last year (my 1st year in TX). My coworkers told me malls will be very crowded. I'll stop by Sports Authority and a store or 2 near my gym this weekend to pick up some clothes I normally get and know what a good price on them is. I assume stores will compete w/ each other and have at least the usual sales, so I don't mind saving 8.25% on something I would normally buy. However, if lines are crazy like on Black Fri., then I'll pass. I just started this thread to pass it along as FYI to some people who may not be aware of it.

[beowulf7]

I went shopping at Sports Authority and a few stores at the mall today late afternoon. Traffic was a little higher than normal, but nothing bad and nowhere like Black Fri. traffic. I also picked up some really good deals on clearance (and using the 25% off coupon for SA). So to those who say traffic is overkill and deals stink on the annual tax-free weekend, well, I honestly didn't experience that in Fort Worth. Hope others were able to take adv. of this "holiday" as well.

[CallMeLaura]

Originally Posted by navyvet79

$200 for shirts and underwear? Are you shopping for several kids or are they wearing underclothes by Abercrombie & Fitch?

Actually, no kids. He prefers Norstroms or Dilliards, which is more expensive than Hanes, but nicer to wear, too. Sometimes it's more economical to spend more on high quality stuff less often, than less on cheap stuff you have to replace more frequently. Not to mention you enjoy it more.

I did end up missing it, though, because the movers showed up late and took all day Saturday, then we bought a bed, rugs, and the wrong thing to hook up the dryer. Just ran out of time.

[beowulf7]

Originally Posted by CallMeLaura

Actually, no kids. He prefers Norstroms or Dilliards, which is more expensive than Hanes, but nicer to wear, too. Sometimes it's more economical to spend more on high quality stuff less often, than less on cheap stuff you have to replace more frequently. Not to mention you enjoy it more.

I did end up missing it, though, because the movers showed up late and took all day Saturday, then we bought a bed, rugs, and the wrong thing to hook up the dryer. Just ran out of time.

There's always next year for tax-free clothes/shoes/backpack shopping.

[momof2dfw]

I don't make it a point to run out and shop on tax-free weekend. For the first few years it was a madhouse - no thanks. My time is worth more than the $8-16 bucks I might save. I'd likely spend the savings on Tylenol and wine . Anyway, the only things we go buy BEFORE school starts are tennis shoes if their current ones do not fit (only 1 child needs those this year), backpacks if last years is worn out (all in good shape there), socks (for the tennis shoes wearing days), and a new outfit for the first day of school. Now we don't go overboard on that either and it will most likely be shorts/skirt and a shirt. One year a few days before school started they found a skort and shirt they liked at Target that was on sale and I spent a whooping $20 bucks total for the two of them. At least some parents have stopped having their kid wear the whole new wardrobe on the first day coat and all (YIKES). That always cracks me up on the first day of school when you see the kids decked out head to toe in total fall/winter wear. We won't buy jeans till it gets cooler. No sense on spending money on them now if they are going to outgrow them before they even wear them. BTW, I'm one of those cash shoppers and don't even carry a credit card on me (well the debit card is also a "visa" but it still comes out on the cash side). I love giving a young clerk a $100 bill and they totally freak out like they have never seen one before. LOL!!!

[beowulf7]

I'm glad I didn't go during peak hours if it is a madhouse. As of Sun. late afternoon/early evening, I didn't encounter too much crowd. And I didn't go out of the way; the stores are right next to my gym, so I went shopping after a workout.

[CallMeLaura]

Originally Posted by beowulf7

There's always next year for tax-free clothes/shoes/backpack shopping.

Well, we'll likely go before then, as he threw out all the stained or holey ones when we moved and only has about a week's worth now. I'm not spending every weekend doing laundry...

[jwb123]

Well, this was my first Texas tax-free shopping experience. I went Friday - because I, too, heard of all the crowds and madness. It was fine. Perhaps more than an average Friday, but I guess it's also to be expected the week before school starts.

I bought shoes, and feel like I got a pretty good deal. Most of everything I saw had some sort of discount on it, on top of the taxfree discount. I was looking at clothes too - and saw some good deals, but they will be wearing summer stuff for the next two months anyway - no point in buying fall clothes right now.

My only complaint was that school supplies aren't included in the tax free holiday, and even though I would have only saved about $6, I still think it's kind of silly they aren't included.

I would go again. As the previous poster said, if I am going out to spend money anyway (for example, 3 kids needed new shoes for the start of school) I might as well save the extra money.

[beowulf7]

While the above 2 posters were shopping for their kids, I admit I shopped for myself. (I have no kids.)

[$DFW8$]

We spent about $1200 this year on back to school clothes. We went to the mall Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Tax Free Weekend.