99 Cents Only Store

Apple iPad, Day 21: Apple App Store Annoyances

Trying Apps . Sure, there have been 15 billion apps downloaded. How many of those apps are still installed or used on any sort of regular basis? I have 109 apps on my iPad now, but I have probably paid for or downloaded at least 150--maybe 200. Sometimes an app sounds promising, so I download it and then figure out it doesn't do what I thought, or doesn't fit my needs so I remove it.

If the app was free, no blood no foul. But, I have spent a decent amount of money just this month buying apps to check them out for this series, then tossing them aside after a matter of only a few hours. Apple needs a better system for allowing users to try apps out without taking their money.

Many app developers offer a Lite version and a Full version of a given app. The Lite version is typically an ad-supported free version to let you try it out, and if you like the app and don't want the ads you can buy the Full version.

There are two problems with this approach. First, it skews the app volume numbers. If there are 425,000 apps, and 100,00 of them are Lite versions then those shouldn't count as a separate app, and there are really only 325,000 apps. Second, the iOS device treats them as separate apps as well. If you get the Lite version, and then decide to get the Full version, you end up with both and you have to delete the Lite version. It should treat it as unlocking the Full version, or at least replace the Lite version as an upgrade when the Full version is purchased.

Really, Apple needs to implement a system more like the Android Market. There should be some established period of 'buyer's remorse' that enables users to download an app and try it for some period of time before the transaction is processed, and lets them uninstall the app and cancel the transaction if the apps doesn't meet their needs.

$0.99 Only Store!

Josie, I love shopping at the 99 cent only store. They have produce (only when its in season. They don’t carry everything all the time) and they have new items before they hit all the big stores. I found the crackerfuls at the 99 cent only stores before they hit the drug stores. I also buy my eyelashes there (they even sell the adhesive) the same brand I found on bloom.com!!!

Mine restocks on Mondays. I have found Yoplait for .25 and the Trix Yogurt 6 for .99. I can always get softsoap hand soap if I need it. It is true that it can be hit and miss. I love getting bags of Red Potatoes there. At the beginning of summer I found the Bannana boat spray sunblock. Got enough for the whole summer for what it would have cost me to buy one even with coupon! Gift bags are always great….mine only charges .79. I don’t buy alot of produce because I can get alot more at my local Latin Market. But I am definitely a fan

It’s kind of a hit and miss depending on which store you get some are GREAT others not so much. I one down the street my house is always pretty bad nothing good but the closest one after that one which is about 3 to 4 miles away is EXCELLENT. They always have tons of produce and a huge variety and a lot of it is organic. In my area they have bread delivered and I happened to be in the store yesterday when it arrived. It was Nature’s Own and Sara Lee. They brought sandwich bread, hot dog and hamburger buns, giant sourdough rolls and those thing hamburger buns which are always around $4 and all in white, whole wheat and whole grain varieties plus they also have eggs by the dozen and milk!

Definitely worth it! Like some others have said, it’s hit or miss depending on what they have when you go but most times, you can find some really great stuff. It’s kind of like an adventure..you just never know what you’ll find when you visit. I will never forget the time the store I frequent had FULL institutional sized bottles of Febreze. I totally stocked up that day…

Word to the wise – if you see a really good deal, make sure you take advantage because it’s not guaranteed to be there the next time!

I love the place, the only problem is I am leary where the food comes from so I read the lables very closely. I am afraid of stuff from China due to the past scares we have had. Like the Polar brand friut and vegtables are all from China, all the garlic and mushrooms, but great deals on brand name stuff. It is hit and miss, sometimes they have 6 inch plants that would be at least $4 at Home Depot or Lowes. Love it!! But on certain items we can do better (like free!) with coupons and your blog!! Thanks!

The 99 Cent Only Stores Cookbook, Gourmet Recipes at Discount Prices

99 Cents Only Stores, Labor Productivity Benchmarks and International Gap Analysis

The Value line investment survey

All the Money in the World, How the Forbes 400 Make--and Spend--Their Fortunes

The Economist