Stores Offer Deals for Michigan's Unemployed
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Updated: 8:25 AM Jul 9, 2009
Stores Offer Deals for Michigan's Unemployed
Kmart, Sears and other stores are trying to decrease the pain of the economy with deals for the unemployed.
Kmart, Sears and other stores are trying to decrease the pain of the economy with deals for the unemployed.
Posted: 6:18 PM Jul 8, 2009
Reporter: Tiffany Teasley
Email Address: Tiffany.Teasley@wilx.com
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Stores are recognizing the recession with reduced prices.

"It's a big benefit right now because people can take advantage of it right now," said Kmart Hardlines Manager Nick Trier.

Kmart stores kicked off their Smart Assist Program -- a pilot program only in Michigan Kmart stores offering 20 percent off Kmart brands for six months for Michigan's jobless.

"They bring their state issued ID, that card they get on the website, and then also the State of Michigan unemployment confirmation, and then once they have those 3 items they can come in and get their 20 percent discount off the brand items," Trier said.

Because of the 20 percent savings, the Kmart brands are selling out quickly forcing them to bring in additional units to replenish the shelves.

"A lot of phone calls, customers asking about it, use at the registers," Trier said.

Customers like Rose DeSander say the program is perfect for her husband who recently lost his job

"I think it would really help because I love Kmart and I'm always here, I think it's a great idea," DeSander said.

Sears is also giving customers a break with its Buyer Protection Program that just began Monday on major appliances more than $399 like washing machines.

"If you were to get unemployed after 60 days of buying them, we pretty much pay on your sears card 1/12 of the price for 12 months or until you're re-employed," said Sears manger Michael Wendel.

And if you're still unemployed after 12 months the balance on your Sears card is paid off, Wendel say it's a must-have for Michigan workers.

"You never know when a GM plant might go down or one the suppliers for it that have all the full-time positions, most people will be able to buy in confidence and not worry about if they ever lose their job," Wendel said.

The Kmart Smart Assist Program Visit lasts until the end of 2009, for more information visit: http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/dap_10151_10101_DAP_Unemployment+Program?keywordRedirect=smart+assist

The Sears Buyer Protection Program lasts from July 6 - Aug. 1, for more information visit: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/v_10153_12605_Appliances?adCell=WF


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Bernero Wins Another Four Years
Bernero Wins Another Four Years
  • Posted By: Sandito all of you who voted for Virg. Well most of the jobs went to out of town workers, like the guys who did the streets, from OHIO!, the workers down town who are from all over but Lansing. The people who have tried to work with him in neighborhoods know that its either his way or his way. He does not care what was told or promised to you, he makes sure it's his way. If you don't like it TOO BAD FOR YOU!! If you opossed him on something gee something is not right in you neighborhood and it is not the citys fault. You and your neighbors are doing something ilegal. How do I know? I have one of the letters they sent to my neighborhood. Good Luck Lansing
  • Posted By: Congradulations to the City of Lansing! You re-elected someone who is totally beyond belief. A man who thinks if your a developer your the best thing to happen to the city, even it your less than honest. But if your a home owner who lives here... So you wanted him and we are now stuck with him for another 4 years. A man who went into QD for donuts, and had to have the clerk put them in a box for him because he did not know how. What a great guy for the mayor. Most of you have never had to try to deal with him, for fight him and his people for what was promised to them and then changed. You wait your turns are comming.
  • Posted By: BradBOY THATS JUST GREAT. I GUESS I'LL NEVER WORK IN LANSING THE NEXT FOR YEARS,BUTIM SURE VIRG WILL HIRE THE SCABS FROM GRAND RAPIDS AND HEAR HOW GREAT THE CITY IS DOING. THANKS VIRG FOR YOUR GREATGUIDENCE AND FABULOUS LIESD
  • Posted By: kI think you people are neglecting the real culprit for Lansing's troubles as well as the state of Michigan.Look who we have in the capitol sitting there in her office,telling us all a bunch of lies and making promises that she knows she can't keep. Don't be so hard on our Mayor when it's our governor who needs to be scrutinized.
  • Posted By: BillMy condolances to the residents of Lansing. You had your chance to rid yourself of your major embarrasment but chose not to. I hope it does not come back to haunt you in the next 4 loooooong years.
  • Posted By: BillGREAT! ! ! Michigan is still going to end up downhill. Why dont we just re-elect Granholm for Governor? Better off, why not elect Jim carry for president?, since this all seems to be such a comical situation... GO MICHIGAN! ! ! Move here!, NO JOBS! but it is such a pretty state.. Keep up the good work VIRG! ! Why cant you people making thousands take a cut? I personally think because taking from the middle class and the poor puts so much more in your pockets 2 thumbs down for you and our Govenor. Best wishes on continuing to bring down our state.
  • Posted By: BillThank GOD that Carol Wood did not win! Anyone who thinks that neighborhoods generate revenue needs to get their head out of the clouds and take an introductory economics course. Jobs come BEFORE better neighborhoods, not the other way around.
  • Posted By: Shocked...Congrats Virg...and I mean that with the utmost sarcarism...I do not live within the city of Lansing, thus could not vote but had I been able to I would not have voted for him. I am a city of Lansing employee and Virg has done NOTHING for the cities employees but cut jobs, benefits...take take take. Nor for the city in general...His motto in the last election was "Lansing Works" ironic that ALL of the construction on Michigan ave was done by scab's from Grand Rapids, and let's mention all the mums he planted along that road to the tune of $30,000.00 that only lasted one year and then died because they were not properly winterized, so the next spring they all got dug up, thrown away and more were planted to the tune of another $30,000.00. Tax payers money hard at work there. City employees have been working without a contract for nearly three years, no raises in site but his staff got a 20% increase last year alone...WAY to GO Virg...shame on you and your corrupt misguided politics...
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