Q: Do you know of a place that provides hot nutritous meals delivered for lunch?

A: There are 8 in my Smart Shopping Montreal book, on pages 233-234. Here’s one: Plats Cusinees BVM, Tel: 514-725-1670 .Open more than 19 years, there are over 45 meals to choose from here ($4.95+ for 350g), from pepper steak on rice to chicken with pineapple, roast beef, fish cake, chicken pie, sausages in tomato sauce, veal meatballs, shepherd’s pie, and canelloni with meat or cheese.

For delivery ($6.25 fee), you must order a minimum of 10 meals (11th is free) 2 days in advance, and there are set days for areas: Wed for Outremont, VSL, New Bordeaux and Ahuntsic, Thurs is Montreal Nord, Laval and Ville d’Anjou area, Fri is the center of town, Rosemont and South Shore (here and Laval you must order 15 meals). Desserts are available (mixed berry Baladin, tiramisu).

You can go to the store in person and buy just a couple to try them out whenever you want. There are in-store deals plus fair trade coffee, olives, balsamic vinegars and more.     www.platsbvm.ca

Q: Would you have any idea where I could buy suit covers? The storage bags to hang a suit. Not special ones, just plain plastic.

A: Probably any store that has a “closet dept” where you buy shelving, storage boxes, shoe racks, would also have garment bags. However, I just called Boutique Jacques (5970 Cote de Neiges) as they sell men’s suits (high end, discounted ones, pg 25 of my book). They will graciously sell them to you for $3 and they are thicker plastic than you would get in the mass market stores.

Q: When should I buy a car to get the best deal?

A: The best time to buy a car is at the end of the day, at the end of  the month at the end of a selling quarter  – or – during a day of rainstorms or a snowstorm.

Q: I am looking to buy microfibre fabric which is sold by the bolt to make sheets.  The fabric is 65% acrylic brushed and 35% polyester on the back.  Would you know where I might get samples before I purchase bolts.

A: There is an entire section in my book listing fabric stores. It is very hard to find that fabric here (it’s from China and they keep it there for manufacturing).

Some shops do sell 100% cotton sheeting here. Here’s one from my web site (in the top left corner click on Household, scroll down to Fabric and you will see a few fabric places there. Tissus Dores  http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=223  or C&M (for cotton only) http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=39

Q: Can you tell me if there is a place where I can buy wool, yarn, or silk – on large spools or cones?

A: There are about a 1/2 dozen stores to buy wool in my book (pages 92-93, 168-170). Here’s one: Magasin de Fibre L.B., 2270 Mont-Royal e.: Wool, wool and more wool – this company has been the source for hand knitters and weavers for the last 39 years. They have it all the needles and accessories plus – mohair, acrylic, boucle, metallic, viscose, cotton, soya, bamboo, alpaca, etc., and can ply it while you wait. Browse through the bins and bins, and be prepared to buy at decent prices.  www.labobineuse.com

Q: Hi Sandra, I was wondering if you can help me to find a second hand store that sells turntables. I would really want an old one because I believe that years ago they made a better system.

A: In my book, on page 150, there’s  Radio Hovsep, 5945 Ave du Parc which has been taking care of radios and audio equipment for 52 years. He might have some turntables. Also inside the St-Michel Flea Market, there is definitely a booth that sells them. They’re on my site: http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=23

Q:  Can you please advise me by e-mail when your annual sales are…

A: Thank you for your interest in my work. To find out when manufacturers offer warehouse sales, you can:

1) go to my shlog each day at www.smartshoppingmontreal.com

2) follow me on Twitter  @smartshopperSandra

3) at the bottom left hand side of the shlog page there is a line that says in yellow “FEEDS”, under that you can click on RSS and that would send the shlog to your page every day.

4) If you buy  my book, Smart Shopping Montreal there are 15 pages of warehouse sales with phone numbers of each one and the months that they have sales.

Q: I remembered  your name from CJAD and I hope you can help me with my dilemma I have tried to locate a domestic retailer that would carry this model (Reebok 1330) but to no avail,it seems that it is an old model, no stock anywhere.

I have found sites in the USA but with shipping charges it comes to over $80. They should be around $60 Canadian. Can you recommend any of you’re sources?

A: Well if it is an old model, it’s very hard to find anywhere, you should be lucky to have found any and at $80 with shipping, it’s not a lot to pay for a favorite style. However, my book’s premise is shopping locally.

If you had looked in it, you would have found, on page 54 under Shoes, that we have a Reebok Outlet in Hudson. Phone: 450-424-8649. If the kids at the counter can’t help, maybe ask to speak to a manager or owner.

Q: I love your show on CJAD and your website. I am looking for a sun lamp….I have a friend that suffers from seasonal depression. I was told that the sun lamp therapy really helps. Any idea where in Montreal, I can buy this?

A: Union Lighting and Home, 8150 Boul. Decarie has the most extensive lighting selection in the city. You can try calling them and asking if they have it or can order it (it’s not a sun lamp, it’s for seasonal affective disorder).

This family company has been in the lighting business since 1914. Changing with the times, they’ve evolved, still selling all kinds of standing, hanging (mini chandeliers and colored crystal), recessed, track, desk (baby candelabra) and outdoor lighting fixtures, but now have added self-service aisles of bulbs, switches and shades.

From there it was on to fans, address plates, ceiling medallions, door and bath hardware, occasional furniture, mirrors and  kitchen accessories. They offer a 14-day no hassle return policy, a repair department and free gift wrapping. Crystal chandeliers have lifetime guarantees – bring them back for full credit towards a new one.

With their Prix Garantis , if you find the same item elsewhere or in a flyer for a lower price within 60 days, they will refund you the difference. Follow the yellow footsteps to the left rear of the store for their liquidation section.     www.unionltg.com

Q: Does Diamond ever allow retail sales?

A: Who do you mean by Diamond? Diamond Tea Gown? Designer Discount Lingerie, 2585 Bates Rd. sells that line. Years ago they used to have warehouse sales but as far as I know that stopped a long time ago.

If you really enjoy luxurious gowns and robes, you don’t have to pay full price. This shop is a tiny place hiding up in an industrial building where you can buy Diamond Tea, Bisbigli from Italy and Nanso from Finland, all at least 25% off.

Bridal ensembles, pregnancy nightwear, nursing bras, panty girdles, slips and camisoles are available, as well as alterations. They specialize in minimizer bras (cups A-G), and can fit you properly and sell you bras by Chantelle, Anita, Wackoal, Rosa Fraie, Grenier, etc. Look for the sale rack at up to 60% off.