Sears is my new favorite store. Credit: justj0000lie/Flickr

I’ve been meaning to write about Sears since I began shopping there months ago for maternity clothes. Now I take my daughter Lucy into Sears regularly to get her baby photos. I’m continually impressed with the value and customer service Sears offers.

• I bought a pair of grey corduroy maternity pants at Sears. A few weeks later, I was at Macy’s and noticed the SAME pair of maternity pants for $10 more. Now I’m convinced that Sears sells many of the same brands other department stores sell, but for less. How does Sears offer lower prices? I think it’s because they put less money into the appearance of their stores.
• The prices are oftenlower than tagged. This has happened to me with picture frames, maternity clothes, and a yellow sports bra that was marked $24. Turns out the sports bra cost $3.99!!!
• The Sears photography department almost always has a photo coupon or two available. For Lucy’s one-, two-, and three-month portraits, I snagged a $7.99 coupon that included one 8 x 10 photo, 2 5 x 7 photos, 4 3.5 x 5 photos, and 16 wallets! That’s 23 photos for $8.57 (including tax)!
• Sears has a ton of price check kiosks so you don’t have to wait in the check out line to figure out the final price of something. Very convenient.
• Sears gives you coupons after you make a purchase, which is kind of annoying because you can’t use them right then. But you can outsmart the system by purchasing one small item, then using the coupons from that transaction on another purchase. The caveat is that sometimes the coupons are not valid for a few days, requiring you to return to Sears on another day. Annoying!
• When you check out you have the option of receiving your receipt by email. Very cool!
• I signed up for the free Sears loyalty program and we’ve earned several dollars in rewards so far, largely because we bought four new tires for our Honda Element from the Sears Auto department. In my baby fog, I lost track of my rewards points, which can be used like cash towards a future purchase. But while buying a few picture frames, the sales clerk noticed I had $15 in rewards points and asked me if I wanted to use then. Heck yeah! I wonder if another store would have so generously reminded me of my credits.
• On my numerous visits to Sears, the staff has offered to help me find things. In the photo department, the photographers have been especially friendly and are always willing to work with me to get a great shot of Lucy. I think it’s because they earn commission.
• You can use gift cards for Land’s End on any Sears purchase. Sweet!
• The bathrooms (in the Sears I shop at) are right by the maternity section. It’s probably a coincidence, but I was extremely grateful for this layout when I was pregnant!
• One downside to shopping at Sears is that the store, at least the one I go to, is not as tidy and organized as other department stores. I chalk this up to part of how Sears is able to offer lower prices.

What is your experience shopping at Sears? Are you a fan?