: You could befriend the salesman, get his name, and send her to him. She might
: get suspicious, though, when he says "oh, I have that set aside for
: you!"

Yeah, you're better off being direct.

: Or you could do what my wife does at the antique store - "THAT - RIGHT
: THERE". No misunderstanding about it!

That's the best policy. My wife also does that. You lose some of the 'fun' of the 'surprise' on Christmas morning, but you also get exactly what you need. Or, get a West Marine catalog. Leave it lying open to that page with the silver Etrex circled, and a note that says, "GPS City: $175"

If she sees that the West Marine price is $200 or whatever, no red-blooded American woman in her right mind is going to pay $25 extra. You're all set.

I'm not real big on gift-giving or gift-getting. If I want something, I buy it when I see it at the price I've been waiting for. I'd just as soon give to charity for Christmas, instead of obsessing about the "perfect present". Lots of times, I get stuff I'll never really use, even though it was given to me with the best of intentions. My mother-in-law is the worst about this. I feel guilty, since I feel like I've wasted her money.

Besides, since you're married (Congratulations, by the way), it's your money too, so you might as well make sure it's not wasted on the wrong Etrex, or the right Etrex at the wrong price, or worse-yet, an assortment of paisley ties and argyle socks!!

Shawn