With the new year upon us, I found myself in desperate need of a new desk calendar. At the time, I wasn’t looking forward to venturing onto the busy streets and adding to the post-Christmas hustle and bustle, but it turns out that the Honeybee needed a new planner for 2016, and she was willing to drive, so we hopped in the car for a quick trip to our local Staples office supply store.
After roaming a few aisles, we both found what we were looking for and headed off to the busy checkout counter at the front of the store.
Now, I don’t know about you, but there are times when I don’t bother looking at the price tag for things I intend to buy — more often than not, it’s times like this one when I need something quickly and I’m really not worried about getting a great deal.
I mean, come on … how much can a small 11-inch by 17-inch desk calendar and a personal planner cost anyway? After all, it’s just a little paper and ink, right?
In fact, here’s a picture of what the Honeybee and I bought:
Anyway, when the clerk rang up the bill for these two items, let’s just say I was more than a bit surprised.
With that in mind, it’s time to find out … Are you smarter than a 5th grader? Here’s the question:
What do you think the final bill at the checkout counter came to for these two little items? Don’t forget to include California state and local sales taxes of 8%.
After you make your guess, you can click here for the answer.
So … what do you think of the price we paid for the desk calendar and planner? Did we get a good deal — or were we ripped off?
Photo Credit: OakleyOriginals
I just purchased a planner as a gift for Christmas(amazon) and it was around $20. I didn’t feel like that was too much considering my wife uses it every day.
I think $20 is reasonable too for a planner. $27 … not so much. I think $11 for a cheap desk calendar is even more of a rip off.
You are right, we used to get the desk calendars from vendors all of the time. They said they only cost them a few dollars each and those were custom printed.
I about fell off my chair at the answer. I’ve seen the desk calendars a lot cheaper than $11–some places $1-2. I was thinking $15-20 for the planner. I don’t think I would’ve had it in me to actually pay.
Believe me, Tiffany … I almost sent the stuff back. Almost.
In hindsight, after reading everyone’s comments, I should have.
Ouch! Next time, go to a Barnes & Noble or whatever is the closest book store chain to buy those items. I got a 365-day desk calendar, weekly planner and a box of 20 Christmas cards for exactly $20 a couple weeks ago. Everything was 50% off.
Oh sure … Now you tell me! lol
If you bought these after the first of the year, you should have gotten a discount at least on the desk calendar..
I agree. But as long as there are suckers like me purchasing them … maybe not.
Dollar store !! The paper quality is a little less & the ink not as sharp, but just as functional.
Yep. I think that is EXACTLY what I am going to do next year, Lynn!
I buy a wall calendar at Costco every year. They usually arrive around October /November, and have many many themes to choose from. Somewhere in the $10-15 ballpark and I remember one time for $8.99.
The planners are a rip-off. Google “Erin Condren” planners though and you won’t feel so bad.
Thanks for the tip, Sam.
Golly, $42.10 that is a lot. Anything more than $20 for these items together is way too expensive.
As for me, I rely on Outlook (for work) and Google (for home) calendar / planning. Honestly, I don’t spend a dime on paper.
When it comes to planners, I too rely on Outlook. However, I have an editorial calendar for this blog and I use the desk calendar for that; for me, it does the job better. There are still some things where paper and pencil have an advantage over electronic solutions.
You been ripped off!
That kind of planner don’t worth more than 6$, what is important with that office stuff? Brand office products can be 3-4 times more expensive than same no name products.
Yes, I was, Sandra. That is quite a mark-up!
I remember that show. While I was watching those 5th grader, I kept asking myself are they really 5th grader? Where are these kids studying? Because they are really smart and could really be a good financial adviser.
I was indeed shocked at the price, but even more shocked that you didn’t looked at the price first!! Lesson learned my friend. Love your words of wisdom each week!!!
Yes, my bad, Carolyn. I’m glad you enjoy the blog!
Ripoff on the planner. I paid $9.48 for my Day Timer weekly planner at Amazon and it looks exactly like this one. The desk calendar, I don’t know.
Ouch.
Definitely ripped off and I am so surprised you didn’t cancel the purchase. I stopped buying the simpler planners they carry because the price was $10 or more. I was shocked at THAT price and it was several years ago. Fortunately for me, our exterminator provides a free lovely desk planner every year. Of course, I am paying for the exterminator services but they do an outstanding job and I don’t have ants on my toilet seat anymore!
Yes, Ellen … I really should have cancelled the purchase. My only excuse is that I guess I was suffering from PTTS syndrome: Price tag traumatic shock.
I print off desktop calendars, but my primer accepts larger than 8×10 paper.
Another good tip. Thanks, Karen.
Well, I came up with exactly $42.10. I’m not too proud, though. I figured $14.99 for the planner (I swear I saw that price just last week in a St. Louis Office Depot for the same kind of planner.) and $23.99 for the desk calendar, because it’s so much bigger. I guess I shouldn’t try my luck on The Price Is Right any time soon….
For the last two years I’ve bought Amy Knapp’s Big Grid Family Calendar on Christmas shopping trips to the mall. It’s great if you need lots of space to write in multiple items per day. I pay $15-17 for it at the kiosks that pop up that time of year that sell only calendars.
Thanks for the tip, Amanda. I do need lots of space, so I will check it out!