This post is a sponsored post on behalf of Kmart via Izea. The opinions are mine.
I have to admit that I haven’t stepped foot in a Kmart for a while, like probably since before they merged up with Sears. But this assignment was totally worth it. Basically, the plan was this: take a $500 gift card and figure out what was cool to buy at Kmart. They want you to know that they’ve got all kinds of gifts and stuff people want. That was the basic theme. I was game for the idea, and I even came up with a way to do some good in the process. Here’s what we did, and what I found along the way.
Bring Along the Kids
My six year old daughter came through the front doors, and the girls clothes was to the right. She looked over and said, “These are beautiful,” and sunk into a rack of winter coats. That particular one in the picture is a Disney princess one, so that had to go in the cart. I thought I had her trained so well, with Bob the Builder toys in her little pink purses when she was 3, but no. She loves princess things. Alas.
Yes, I’m the kind of dad who buys clothes as part of the holiday gifts. My folks did it. Why should I be any different. There were lots of clothes my daughter willingly would wear. We didn’t exactly equip her, but she got a few things she absolutely *had* to have.
My nearly three-year-old son was another matter. He needed some clothes. I found everything he would want there, and with really no effort. And again, there was lots of good variety, and I felt like everything was great and of a quality I expected.
Dad note: I don’t know that I saw clothes I’d wear as a grown up. I mean, if you’re not very stylish, which I am not, there were some items. I liked that they had Joe Boxer underpants, for instance.
Name Brands
Since their merging with Sears, Kmart has upped their name brand game. They had a few that really surprised me, like Dyson vacuum cleaners. Those are pretty high end, right? And they had Craftsman tool supplies, which was nice, because I remember the “old” Kmart where their tools were more like pretend ones made out of chalky metal. But, I didn’t really buy any of that. I went right to electronics, and then into toys.
Electronics
I had a hunch that I’d have some fun in their electronics section, and I was right. They had quite a display of flat screen high definition TVs, and I knew most of the name brands. I’m not high def enough to tell you if they were really killer, but I give points for the brands, at least. They also had a small, but decent assortment of new movies on DVD. Their CD collection at the store I went to was small, but who buys CDs these days?
It was in games that I was impressed again. They had a really good selection of XBOX360, PS3, and WII games (we have a Wii at home), as well as DS and PSP games. I was surprised, plus I had that sort of “secret” feeling of realizing that I bet most people looking for games around the holidays have Kmart on their radar.
Toys
Here’s where I got clever. I had my kids pick out some toys to donate to Toys for Tots, so that this sponsored shopping spree could also be used for good. It was a lot of fun. There were all the name brands you’d expect, like Nerf and Star Wars and things like that.
The toy section was actually the best kept and best stocked at the store where I shopped. Some of the other sections seemed to have been attacked (this was, after all, the day after Black Friday), but toys? Fresh as a daisy.
In the End
If you click on the picture of the bill, and zoom in, you’ll see the biggest surprise I got from the entire experience. The shopping spree was for $500, and I went just a hair over at around $567. But, if you look at what I SAVED, I saved over $200 during this experience. Some of it was from holiday sales, but some was just their regular weekly stuff. So I saved over 30%? Is that right? That’s what the biggest surprise was, to me.
And Now, the Contest
Dad-o-Matic readers (you!) have a chance at doing your own version of my $500 shopping spree at Kmart. The official rules are here. But in a nutshell, here’s what you can do. One’s a bit of work, and the other is a lot easier (hint, hint).
(1) Place a comment on this blog post. Include a description and SKU or item numbers of items on your holiday wish list that total $500 or less. Contest participants must send their email address with the comment to the Participating Blog. This should be done in the private field provided by the Participating Blog and should not have to be included publicly in the comment.
(2) Use Twitter to tweet the message found on the blog post:
” RT @chrisbrogan is giving away a $500 Kmart Gift Card on his blog – simply tweet or comment to enter http://urlbrief.com/27bb3f”
*** That was updated. I had the info wrong.***
Now, I’m not telling you what to do, but step 1 takes a lot of typing, and step 2 is retweeting a link to this post.
Again, check out the official rules here because I might have left something out.
Good luck, and I hope you win. The experience opened my eyes, and I also found a way to give a bunch of kids some surprises this holiday season. Seems like a win, eh?
By the way, if you want to learn more about Kmart Gift Cards, that’s here.
The preceding was a sponsored post. For more information about the sponsor (Kmart), see Izea.
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Ah, this brought back memories! I used to work at a K-Mart and it was always an adventure in there. My K-Mart had a similarly well-stocked toy section. It was the bane of everyone working on the floor to keep it that way, though! XD
(retweeted @zoeblaize)
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Ah, this brought back memories! I used to work at a K-Mart and it was always an adventure in there. My K-Mart had a similarly well-stocked toy section. It was the bane of everyone working on the floor to keep it that way, though! XD
(retweeted @zoeblaize)
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Sony PLAYSTATION®3 40GB
Kmart item# 018W963975110001 Mfr. model# PS3 SCE 98006
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Sony PLAYSTATION®3 40GB
Kmart item# 018W963975110001 Mfr. model# PS3 SCE 98006
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I retweeted you! http://twitter.com/MommyNamedApril/status/1034396472
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I retweeted you! http://twitter.com/MommyNamedApril/status/1034396472
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Sounds like great fun. Here’s my wish list for some fun with the kids:
Wii Fit & Wii Balance Board (Kmart item #25500WIIRVLRRFNE) $89.99
Wii, Skate Party 3030 (Kmart item #255WIIDSI1019301) $29.99
Wii,We Ski (Kmart item #25500WIINAM80010) $29.99
Plus a little something for myself:
Orion L-Shaped Computer Work Center ( Kmart item# 2890000000037589 ) $149.99
I also didn’t know that Sears and Kmart merged.
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Sounds like great fun. Here’s my wish list for some fun with the kids:
Wii Fit & Wii Balance Board (Kmart item #25500WIIRVLRRFNE) $89.99
Wii, Skate Party 3030 (Kmart item #255WIIDSI1019301) $29.99
Wii,We Ski (Kmart item #25500WIINAM80010) $29.99
Plus a little something for myself:
Orion L-Shaped Computer Work Center ( Kmart item# 2890000000037589 ) $149.99
I also didn’t know that Sears and Kmart merged.
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I retweeted as well (from @Aliwicious)
I have a baby on the way, as well as a 1 yr old, so I am broke and desperate for essentials.
So we can ditched our used mattress:
Sealy Baby Crib Mattress Kmart item #9990000027318212 $79.99
To keep the new mattress nice and clean:
Sealy Stain Protection Crib Mattress Pad Kmart item #024W826742110001 $19.99
Cause otherwise baby #1 has no bed once she is kicked out of her crib for the baby#2 due in june:
Heritage Collection Wooden Toddler Bed-Natural item# 9990000006826512 $42.00
To keep the stink out:
Diaper Genie (II) Refill item# 024W923738110001 Qty: 10 = $59.90
To keep the hooligans contained:
Summer Infant Super Wide Custom Fit Gate item# 3460000000007160 $109.99
To keep them entertained:
Chicco Butterfly Spinner item# 1030000000121354 $12.99
So I can kick the hooligans outside:
Step 2 Naturally Playful Lookout Treehouse item# 1298480000776900 $129.99
To keep them entertained some more:
Blockway Show item# 1030000000520380 $39.99
For a grand total of $495.
Seriously though, please, gimme.
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I retweeted as well (from @Aliwicious)
I have a baby on the way, as well as a 1 yr old, so I am broke and desperate for essentials.
So we can ditched our used mattress:
Sealy Baby Crib Mattress Kmart item #9990000027318212 $79.99
To keep the new mattress nice and clean:
Sealy Stain Protection Crib Mattress Pad Kmart item #024W826742110001 $19.99
Cause otherwise baby #1 has no bed once she is kicked out of her crib for the baby#2 due in june:
Heritage Collection Wooden Toddler Bed-Natural item# 9990000006826512 $42.00
To keep the stink out:
Diaper Genie (II) Refill item# 024W923738110001 Qty: 10 = $59.90
To keep the hooligans contained:
Summer Infant Super Wide Custom Fit Gate item# 3460000000007160 $109.99
To keep them entertained:
Chicco Butterfly Spinner item# 1030000000121354 $12.99
So I can kick the hooligans outside:
Step 2 Naturally Playful Lookout Treehouse item# 1298480000776900 $129.99
To keep them entertained some more:
Blockway Show item# 1030000000520380 $39.99
For a grand total of $495.
Seriously though, please, gimme.
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I might get some Rokenbok parts for my kids. Been looking for these forever! Thanks!!!
#1030000000701125 curved beams 14.99
#1030000000701094 s beams 14.99
#1030000000701111 beam set 14.99
# 1030000000701123 Block set 9.99
A train table with a storage drawer!! Get all those wooden trains and tracks a place to live!
# 05286701000 80.00
Hmm then something for the eHermit..
What no bluray players.. ok never mind
A nice throw in the pocket digital camera then
# 020W377312110001 119.00
For me..
Flip video!
#105FVULTRA60MINW 179.00
A tripod for it
#020W730235170001 14.99
And a waterproof case just for fun!
#020W730235130001 49.99
That should do it!
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I might get some Rokenbok parts for my kids. Been looking for these forever! Thanks!!!
#1030000000701125 curved beams 14.99
#1030000000701094 s beams 14.99
#1030000000701111 beam set 14.99
# 1030000000701123 Block set 9.99
A train table with a storage drawer!! Get all those wooden trains and tracks a place to live!
# 05286701000 80.00
Hmm then something for the eHermit..
What no bluray players.. ok never mind
A nice throw in the pocket digital camera then
# 020W377312110001 119.00
For me..
Flip video!
#105FVULTRA60MINW 179.00
A tripod for it
#020W730235170001 14.99
And a waterproof case just for fun!
#020W730235130001 49.99
That should do it!
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Great idea! I think I would spend my first $100 on a Christmas Tree. This is the first time in three years that I haven’t lived on a Christmas Tree farm, so I won’t be getting one for free. I’ve also had to reluctantly admit that I think I’m allergic to them. But if I’m going fake, I’m going all the way with the white tree. http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_009B389492110001P
It’s Kmart item # 009W389492110001 and
Mfr. model # K-P81155
I’d spend the rest on Christmas presents for my family and the toys for tots program, I think.
I hope I win, because my local K-Mart could really use $500. It’s a bit on the down-trodden side.
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Great idea! I think I would spend my first $100 on a Christmas Tree. This is the first time in three years that I haven’t lived on a Christmas Tree farm, so I won’t be getting one for free. I’ve also had to reluctantly admit that I think I’m allergic to them. But if I’m going fake, I’m going all the way with the white tree. http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_009B389492110001P
It’s Kmart item # 009W389492110001 and
Mfr. model # K-P81155
I’d spend the rest on Christmas presents for my family and the toys for tots program, I think.
I hope I win, because my local K-Mart could really use $500. It’s a bit on the down-trodden side.
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Oh, I could so use a Dyson! My vacuum is kaput! I retweeted as well @90210organics.
Kmart item #006W734090110001
$429.99
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Oh, I could so use a Dyson! My vacuum is kaput! I retweeted as well @90210organics.
Kmart item #006W734090110001
$429.99
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Cool contest. Here’s mine:
$499.99 Sony 19 in. (Diagonal) Class LCD Integrated HDTV (720p), Kmart item# 018W809619110001 Mfr. model# KDL-19M4000
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Cool contest. Here’s mine:
$499.99 Sony 19 in. (Diagonal) Class LCD Integrated HDTV (720p), Kmart item# 018W809619110001 Mfr. model# KDL-19M4000
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Retweeted – name @thepinkc
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Retweeted – name @thepinkc
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SKU 018W677925110001 model# LC320SS9 Sylvania 32 in. (Diagonal) Class LCD Integrated HDTV
This would make my day!
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SKU 018W677925110001 model# LC320SS9 Sylvania 32 in. (Diagonal) Class LCD Integrated HDTV
This would make my day!
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Sylvania 32 in. (Diagonal) Class LCD Integrated HDTV
Kmart item# 018W677925110001 Mfr. model# LC320SS9
This would make my day! 🙂
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Sylvania 32 in. (Diagonal) Class LCD Integrated HDTV
Kmart item# 018W677925110001 Mfr. model# LC320SS9
This would make my day! 🙂
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Mattel Batman Dark Fall Batpod
Kmart item # 1030000000671848 Mfr.model # 671848
Bratz Magic Fashion Nails – Cloe
Kmart item # 1030000000660958 Mfr.model # 660958
Oregon Scientific Barbie Digital Camera
Kmart item # 1030000000714154 Mfr.model # 714154
Smartparts 5.6 in. Digital Picture Frame – Black
Kmart item # 020W331269110001 Mfr.model # SP56M
Learning Resources Pretend and Play – 20-Piece Tool Set
Kmart item # 1030000000123206 Mfr.model # 123206
Datamax Jr.
Kmart item # 1030000000461892 Mfr.model # 461892
Disney Princess: Enchanted Tales Bedtopper
Kmart item # 1030000000689265 Mfr.model # 689265
South Shore Platform Bed 60in and Molding – Chocolate
Kmart item # 187000003159-233 Mfr.model # 3159-233
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Mattel Batman Dark Fall Batpod
Kmart item # 1030000000671848 Mfr.model # 671848
Bratz Magic Fashion Nails – Cloe
Kmart item # 1030000000660958 Mfr.model # 660958
Oregon Scientific Barbie Digital Camera
Kmart item # 1030000000714154 Mfr.model # 714154
Smartparts 5.6 in. Digital Picture Frame – Black
Kmart item # 020W331269110001 Mfr.model # SP56M
Learning Resources Pretend and Play – 20-Piece Tool Set
Kmart item # 1030000000123206 Mfr.model # 123206
Datamax Jr.
Kmart item # 1030000000461892 Mfr.model # 461892
Disney Princess: Enchanted Tales Bedtopper
Kmart item # 1030000000689265 Mfr.model # 689265
South Shore Platform Bed 60in and Molding – Chocolate
Kmart item # 187000003159-233 Mfr.model # 3159-233
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I tweeted!!! @gretablau
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I tweeted!!! @gretablau
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retweeted! @shopbatty (http://twitter.com/shopbatty)
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retweeted! @shopbatty (http://twitter.com/shopbatty)
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I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/amh615/status/1034477320
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I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/amh615/status/1034477320
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i would go for one thing…. Sylvania 32 in. (Diagonal) Class LCD Integrated HDTV
Kmart item# 018W677925110001 Mfr. model# LC320SS9
$429
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i would go for one thing…. Sylvania 32 in. (Diagonal) Class LCD Integrated HDTV
Kmart item# 018W677925110001 Mfr. model# LC320SS9
$429
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well lets see i would like a camra $165 and $150 dollars worth of NEW cloths $50 bord games for the family to bond with
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well lets see i would like a camra $165 and $150 dollars worth of NEW cloths $50 bord games for the family to bond with
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Great contest! Could really use 2 of item # 9990000025779411 ($52.24 -Essential Home Twin Size Mattress) from Kmart for my 2 kids.
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Great contest! Could really use 2 of item # 9990000025779411 ($52.24 -Essential Home Twin Size Mattress) from Kmart for my 2 kids.
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I retweeted!
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I retweeted!
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http://twitter.com/stephmcdonald
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http://twitter.com/stephmcdonald
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Yeah Chris you are truly “SUPER DAD”. Ok so looking around on the site It was hard to chose but here are few things I saw that I would like to give my family!
WII, Petz Crazy Monkeyz game
Wii Incredible Hulk Game
Call of Duty for Xbox
Free standing Bike Rack (2)
Apple to Apples Game
Flip Video for my mom
LEGO LEGO Star Wars: Ultimate Collectors AT-ST Kmart item #1030000000298378
LEGO LEGO Star Wars Vader’s TIE Advanced (10175) Kmart item #1030000000681367
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Yeah Chris you are truly “SUPER DAD”. Ok so looking around on the site It was hard to chose but here are few things I saw that I would like to give my family!
WII, Petz Crazy Monkeyz game
Wii Incredible Hulk Game
Call of Duty for Xbox
Free standing Bike Rack (2)
Apple to Apples Game
Flip Video for my mom
LEGO LEGO Star Wars: Ultimate Collectors AT-ST Kmart item #1030000000298378
LEGO LEGO Star Wars Vader’s TIE Advanced (10175) Kmart item #1030000000681367
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Dyson Root 6 Handheld
Kmart item# 006W765844110001 Mfr. model# 00099
That about does it, just need a good vacuum for once lol, Carm
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Dyson Root 6 Handheld
Kmart item# 006W765844110001 Mfr. model# 00099
That about does it, just need a good vacuum for once lol, Carm
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I tweeted!
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I tweeted!
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I tweeted your contest @ConsumerQueen
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I tweeted your contest @ConsumerQueen