Thursday, May 23, 2013

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Anchorage Businesses Contend For Customers' PFD Dollars
From ice cream to ottomans, it seems like most businesses around town offer a special deal just in time for the permanent fund dividend
By Alexis Fernandez


As Alaskans anxiously wait for the official amount of the Permanent Fund Dividend to be announced, local businesses are coming up with strategies to get people to buy at their store.

Local stores like Bailey’s Furniture say this is the time of year they look forward to.

“A lot of people start thinking home improvement and things like that, so as soon as dividends come out it really becomes a huge part of the furniture industry,” said Buddy Bailey, creative director for Bailey’s Furniture.

Bailey’s has started giving away free televisions during PFD season if you spend $3,000 at the store.

“We try and tweak things a little bit and throw something new and different in a little bit here and there,” he said.

There are also sweeter deals out there. The ice cream shop Tastee Freez is also trying to cash in by offering customers double the amount of their PFD in food and ice cream.

“We thought that they should be able to have fun with their PFD, not just be able to drive it, sit on it, or sleep in it,” said Rich Owens, owner of Tastee Freez in South Anchorage.

But do all these deals really make a difference to the consumer? Well, it depends on who you ask.

“I suppose if I were looking for something in particular it would, for me, the most important thing right now is paying my tuition. That’s what I’ll be using it for,” said UAA student Elizabeth Raines.

Also, Owens says the economy just isn’t the same as it used to be. He says years ago Alaskans would spend a lot more but are now paying bills and purchasing basic items with their PFD.