The big gift

Once in awhile (like every 5-10 years) we splurge on a big gift.  This year DD and I decided to splurge on DH for a big combined birthday and Father's Day gift, since both fall in June. He has a 1999 pick up truck, bought new in mid 1998.  For years now he has wanted some running board type steps for it. I decided it's finally time he had some (and it would really make life easier getting in and out of that thing as it is a bit raised up and I am not getting any younger and neither is he).

We had no idea what exactly he wanted or even how much they cost. I'm thinking maybe $500 at the most? So, I tell him the other day that that is what DD and I want to give to him as a present, but he'll have to order or go purchase, since we have no clue. Last night he went online to search out the kind he wanted and says "ohh....how much were you thinking of spending" and I said well, I was hoping in the $500 range. They were about $700 plus $150 shipping! Yikes. Then he searched some more and found them on ebay for $719, including shipping. Well, that's better.....(I said wincing). I told him to send me the link so I could order it.

But, my handy dandy "Price Blink" add-on popped up and said I could find it for $667 with free shipping through another store.  Ok, this is getting better. I clicked on that link, had DH verify that it was still exactly the same parts he wanted and then I did a search for an online coupon code for this store. Came up with several coupon codes - 15%, 10%, 8% off.  I tried the first 2 and they wouldn't work, stating that brand wasn't eligible. I almost gave up but tried the 8% one and it worked. Take another $53.36 off! Free shipping and no sales tax (which I would have had to pay on ebay). Final price was $613 - much closer to my $500 range. I could live with that and DH is good on the splurge gift for another 5 years or so.  I'm not sure how much DD plans to chip in, not too much, but it will help.  And since we are spending a lot less this year on landscaping and no remodel projects, the disposable income is there for this gift.