Columnist Muriel Stevens: All hail a special sale

Wednesday, April 19, 2000 | 9:21 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' shopping column appears Wednesdays. Her dining column appears Fridays. Reach her at muriel@lasvegassun.com or 259-4080.

I'm always happy when a store extends its hours for a special sale, so late Saturday afternoon a friend and I headed for Macy's in the Fashion Show for its "one day only" really big sale.

The sale was terrific. Most of the merchandise on sale had already been reduced. For Saturday only shoppers could get an additional reduction of 30 percent to 40 percent off the first sale price, a substantial saving.

I broke my own rule by not going when the store opened. Early birds get the pick of the merchandise and beat the crowds. There was plenty to buy, but the shoe department, my prime interest, was too busy for me. My shopping zeal wanes when confronted with a mob. After perusing various departments that were equally crowded, we headed for the Macy Home Store on Spring Mountain Road.

There were some great values here, especially on housewares, none of which I needed but I always like to comparison shop. Macy's Home Store also has a good selection of bedding and linens. The quality is good and for this one-day sale the prices were excellent. In the housewares section we each bought a small grill pan for $9.95. The weight and design were just right. Both the grill pan and a large, heavyweight saute pan that we didn't buy were exceptional values.

Both were part of Tools of the Trade, Macy's house label. These are the best pans for the money I've ever encountered. A large, heavy saute pan was a rare buy at just under $10. If you're in the market for cookware check out this line of cookware. Tools of the Trade pots and pans are as good as many lines costing four times the price. Check the Macy's sales ads. They're usually included.

Kid stuff on sale: The spring issue of Pottery Barn Kids has a slew of "sale by mail" pages. This delightful catalog debuted just a short while ago. Many of the items are exclusive to the Pottery Barn. Merchandise covers youngsters "from pipsqueak to pre-teen" and is available only by catalog.

The catalog includes furniture, bedding and irresistible decorative accessories. The bathroom hampers, laundry bags and storage units would appeal to any kid. There are kid-size outdoor furniture, a themed croquet set, numbered hop-sack sets -- a great party game -- colorful artwork, puzzles and charming lamps.

The Lilliputian-size furniture is styled after Pottery Barn's furniture for adults. This is a winning sale catalog. To get one call (800) 430-7373.

Thanks, a bunch: Thanks readers, for your e-mail and calls.

The Vermont Country Store, recently written about, may not have an 800 number, but, says a reader, it does have a website, which my catalog did not include: www.VCS@sover.net.

The Poi Company responded to its mention by e-mailing its Internet address -- www.thepoicompany.com. Now I can get a price list and order some more of those poifect English muffins.

And I now own one of those lights sold on TV that you can put anywhere. They're available as single units at Longs Drug Stores. Buy as few as you want. The price is low, but does not include the four AA batteries needed to make it work. Some of the boxed sets do. When is a bargain not a bargain? When the batteries cost more than the product.