For over 100 years Swann’s furniture has been turning people’s houses into their dream home. Swann’s Furniture first opened in downtown Tyler and was family owned and run. At Swann’s it is very important for the customer to be matched with the perfect furniture and designs for their home. Saleswomen and men are all prepared to help you find what you are looking for.
While I was shopping at the store I really felt the pressure that the saleswomen were trying to meet their quota. I told the same lady about four times that I was fine and did not need any help but I almost felt like I was being stalked. I really just wanted to leave the store. That is not a great feeling when you just want to look at furniture for your house.
But besides the obnoxious sales team, I enjoyed my time at Swann’s Furniture. They really do have what you need to make you house beautiful. Something that stood out to me was that Swann’s not only had the large furniture items, such as beds, couches, and tables, but also had the small details that really make your house stand out such as their large selection of clocks and upholstery. It was quite humorous to hear the saleswoman talk about the upholstery and try to sell me the products by naming the brand names of the products. I had no idea who any of those people were, but they had such a big selection that you really can find the right colors to match your house.
My personal shopping experience may not of been the best, but it really is undeniable that Swann’s has some of the most beautiful furniture. Swann’s furniture has everything you need to transform your bedrooms, dining room, living rooms (including entertainment centers) and home offices.
When shopping for cars the most annoying thing about the shopping experience is definitely the salesmen. I hate that the moment you drive into the Jack O’ Diamonds parking lot you are immediately bombarded by men trying to get you to buy a car before you even have a chance to park.
We have been looking around for a car lately, and decided to hold our breath and deal with the annoying salesmen at Jack O’ Diamonds. They have cars in all sizes. It is a great place to look if you want a car for your family that gets more than 15 gallons of gas per a mile.
The car lot has many different makes of cars for sale. You can buy Lincoln, Mercury, Honda, and even can find a few Fords there. Personally I love the look and make of a Honda. We came looking for a car that was able to fit more than two car seats and that would not empty our wallets because of the horrible gas mileage.
Not to our surprise we were immediately approached by a salesman before we were able to park. They asked questions before we were even able to get out of the car or get our children out. Once we really explained that we wanted all these things at a price that would fit our low budget, the salesman was extremely helpful, and surprisingly was not pushing us to get way over our budget.
He showed us a few cars that were exactly what we were looking for, but we needed to discuss the purchase a little bit longer before we went ahead and bought the car. We were very impressed by how the salesman was not extremely pushing to make the decision and respected our need to sleep on it.
Although we did not purchase a car that day we will be going back in hopes that we get the same car salesman and find the car perfect for us. Finding a car is extremely stressful and I think that sales men should help you make a choice and not put more pressure on you that are unnecessary.
Sadly, usually the salesmen are more pushing and frustrating at Jack O’ Diamonds. Even as we were leaving, another salesman yelled after us, asking why we did not find what we were looking for. Hopefully if you are looking for a Tyler car you will have the luck we had!
4015 S Broadway Ave
Tyler, TX 75701-8727
(903) 534-9278
Hastings parking lot maybe an awesome hang out for the East Texas teenagers, but I think that there are more people in the parking lot than in the store. The store does have a great variety of books, movies, music, and video games. This store is probably the dirtiest store in East Texas. I feel like I have to take a bath after renting a movie. The well known store may be struggling to stay in business.
As I try to find the door through the clouds of smoke from the teenagers hanging out side the door, I already know that I really want to get a movie and leave as fast as you can. You can dig through the towers in the aisle to find cheap movies to buy. “Buy two get the third for a penny.” They have great deals for movies on sale and as the world of electronics grows to the newest level; Hastings is starting to sale and rent movies on Blue Ray.
Hastings lack of convenience may be the thing that puts them out of business. Although you can shop online for movies and music and much more, you have to return to the store. The great thing about the competing rental companies, such as Red Box and Netflix, is that they are convenient to your every day life.
The odd and, many times, unhelpful people that work at Hastings add to the frustration of the shopping experience. The oddly disturbing action figures and adult board games makes me rush out the store with my hands over my eyes.
Although you can find most music, movies and books, I would look everywhere in Tyler before I endure the torture of shopping in Hastings. The good thing about the store is that they buy those old movies and CDs that have been sitting on your shelf just collecting dust and taking up space.
Hastings is my “last stop store”; if I can not find a movie I have been wanting to watch for months in Red Box, or the dollar rental machine at Brookshires, or if it is not at the other failing rental store, Blockbuster, I go to Hastings, then I go home and take a bath until I can not smell the stink of the store in my hair.
This family-friendly Christian owned and operated grocery store in the center of the popular shopping area in Tyler is a delight to shop at.
As you walk into the store you will be surprised at the quality and variety of fruit and vegetables on sale. Much of the produce available is organic and grown locally too. Look out for samples of their seasonal items.
Brookshires Grocery Store
Before you start to shop you might want to treat yourself to a gourmet coffee – sold just inside the door on the left at the coffee bar. You will notice that there are many who take advantage of the little cafe area there too. If you have time you could stop and drink your coffee while you look at the weekly paper containing details of the latest special offers at Brookshires. Of particular note is the meat section -they have the most amazing deals on particular cuts of meat and these offers change weekly.
Continue on through the store stopping perhaps at the excellent delicatessen or the bakery section where you can buy delicious breads of all sorts of types and containing healthy grains, baked in store. The meat section is very good too and the seafood is one of the best in a supermarket around here.
As for the rest of the store – it is clearly laid out and you will find all sorts of goodies here that you won’t see at Walmart.
Brookshires tries to cater for all palates and budgets and this is reflected in the choice available. ‘Food Club’ is their own brand of goods. If you come from ‘out of town’ like me then be sure to look for the International section where you can buy various familiar food items from Europe. There is also a significant Asian and Mexican section.
The food at Brookshires is slightly more pricey than at Walmart – though the special offers favor comparably. However, the shopping experience is so much nicer and the variety of goods they stock is amazing for East Texas. I have to add that the customer care is second to none – all the staff are so helpful and attentive to your needs. They make you feel valued and important here.
Don’t forget there is a bank instore, a photo shop and an excellent pharmacy, where you can make use of $4 generic prescriptions. There is even a drive-thru pick-up service.
One quick word about prices – there is a dual pricing system – one for the regular shopper and the other for visitors. If you plan to shop at Brookshires more than once, get yourself a ‘Thank you card’ by applying at the cash register or customer services. This means that you qualify for the lower prices and special offers. Don’t worry, they won’t bombard you with junk mail and they won’t give your personal details to any other company. You must present this card when checking out to receive the lower prices.
As you leave the store, enjoy the chance to have your bags packed for you (you can request brown bags rather than plastic or use our own and receive 5c back for each one used). Your cart will then be loaded and your shopping placed in your car for you. Don’t even think about tipping for this – it is all part of the everyday service at Brookshires.
One other thing to note – kids are welcomed at Brookshires. There are mini shopping carts for kid’s use and at the bakery they will happily offer your child a free cookie (while you drool over the amazing cakes on sale).
Altogether a nice experience – shopping at Brookshires in Rice Road is to be recommended.
As a mom of two young girls the shopping experience can become stressful. The Tyler Texas area, being so spread out, is inconvenient, to say the least, for the mother on the go. Second hand stores, to high priced brand names, to big chains, we have what you are looking for, you just have to know where to look.
As a second hand store “Mommy and me” is a hot spot for hot prices. You can get a cute out fit for a dollar, but you might want to stop and get some club soda to get out the old spit up stains. If you are willing to dig deep you can get your moneys worth. I have found outfits that were not torn or faded, or just out of date. Although the employees that work there are always helpful and polite, and answer any questions you might have. I do love a personal touch to a store and its services. If you do decide to shop “Mommy and me” expect to find great conversation and great prices but not the cleanest or nicest hand-me-downs.
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If the name on the tag is more important than the price on the tag, shop “Snug as a Bug”. Honestly, I don’t understand why you should pay $50 for a pair of shoes that your kids will wear for three months, but maybe that’s just my opinion. There is more than just clothes at this quaint corner store, your child’s room could be filled with beauty and value. From furniture, to curtains, to diaper bags, they have it all. Though I love the style and look of the “Snug as a Bug” products, the prices are not worth my time.
At the big chain stores, you can be sure to find good products at decent prices. “The Children’s Place” (Broadway Square Mall) and “Babies R Us” (Corner of Loop 323 and Donnybrook) are two of my personal favorite stores in Tyler. Its easy to find what you are looking for in the right sizes. No need to get stressed or have to dig, which is very convenient when you have to shop with small children. You can always expect new items determined by the season.
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The main frustration of shopping big chain stores is that the personal services are lacking, like the feeling everyone sees you and knows you need help but avoids you in hope that their shift will go by faster. I hate circling the store looking for someone to tell me if they have a 18 months size of the shirt I have been carrying around for ten minutes. The employees at these two stores are usually very helpful, but I have had times that I felt lost and frustrated. The shopping experience should be convenient and easy. When its all laid out or hung up on the RIGHT places its much more delightful to shop at those stores. You might even enjoy yourself!
Though second hand stores such as “Mommy and Me” have great prices, and top name brands such as “Snug as a bug” have great value, I will stick with the big chain stores so that I can always be certain of convenience, prices, and value with no let downs
