Outlet Store Quality
Q: Is the merchandise sold in outlet stores of lesser quality than items sold in regular retail stores, and if they are from a previous season?
A: We checked with the outlet stores for Saks Fifth Avenue and Gymboree for your answer. Both said there is no difference in quality or material. Saks said its outlet items are often left over from the previous season. But the quality is no different from the regular retail store. Gymboree said it remakes last year's collection for outlet stores. However, its outlets only carry basic sizes. The merchandise comes in discounted 25-percent, and often gets marked down from there.
TV Energy Usage
Q: Do small TVs use less energy than big ones?
A: The Alliance to Save Energy gave us your answer. It says, all factors being equal, the smaller the TV the less energy it uses. However, keep in mind that plasma TVs consume more energy than others. Also, old TVs typically use up more energy than new ones of the same size. The Alliance to Save Energy recommends that you buy a TV with the Energy Star label on it. These TVs meet the US Department of Energy and the EPA's strict energy guidelines.
Fading Receipts
Q: How do I protect store receipts so they don't fade to the point of becoming illegible?
A: Target gave us the answer to your question. Target says many stores have switched to thermal paper and printers to speed up checkout. It says receipts now print twice as fast as they used to. Target says thermal paper receipts should last at least 90 days. But it says if you need a receipt to last longer, you should photocopy it.
