Checking Our List #13: ATG Stores {Review & $75 Gift Certificate Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Dana!}

When we moved into this house nearly seven years ago, the previous owner had been an expert gardener. She had beautiful plants and flowers throughout the yard that all complemented each other and bloomed at the right time and were pretty much pruned to perfection. Our neighbors told us she used to spend a few hours every evening out there doing work to keep it looking so nice.

Right.

Then my husband and I moved in and we did a decent job somewhat keeping up with things for the first few years... and then we had kids. We're to the point now where we're happy if the lawn is mowed and the weeds in the back aren't so tall that they're growing over the neighbor's fence.

Part of the problem, however, is that we never really had the tools to keep things under control. I mean, you can only do so much with one tiny pair of old hedge clippers, right? Well, thanks to ATG Stores, my husband has no excuse to let the yard be overgrown now that he has a high quality Lopping Pruner set to use for just about every cutting, trimming or pruning task that is out there.

If you're not familiar with ATG Stores, you're missing out on some amazing shopping. Started in 1999, the Allied Trade Group, Inc. launched its first website, LightingUniverse.com, and has since grown to over 500 websites throughout multiple home furnishing categories. From FixtureUniverse.com to DecorUniverse.com to HomeFurnitureShowroom.com, there is something for everyone.

But more than just general shopping, ATG Stores has sites like SportingGoodsCentral.com, NewBabySupply.com, OutdoorLivingShowroom.com and CookingandTableware.com so that you can narrow down your search and find exactly what you're looking for quickly and easily. With over 3 million products available from the name brand manufacturers that you know and love, chances are that you're sure to find what you're looking for when you shop with ATG.

And these pruners were just the thing that we needed around here. Arriving in a convenient molded carrying case, simply pop open the two clasps on the side and this 6-piece set has everything you need to get to work.

Right away I appreciated how each tool was securely held in its own designated spot yet they were not difficult to pull out. As I examined each one, it was clear that this wasn't just another cheap kit, these are high quality, well-crafted pieces that are going to last for years and years to come.

First, for small, more common tasks, the Utility Bypass Pruner fits perfectly in your hand and has a great locking mechanism to ensure that it stays closed when not in use. Even better, it comes with its own clip-on holster so that you can easily have both hands free but not find that you've lost your tools in the leaves or brush by setting it down.

Next, for larger plants and ones that might be a little further out of reach, the Telescoping Bypass Lopper and Hedge Shear are strong, durable, easy to use and open and close very smoothly. Both of these feel solid and sturdy in your hands but aren't at all too heavy that anyone would have a problem holding them up to do a variety of outdoor jobs.

For reaching even higher, I like how easily the handles on both the Telescoping Bypass Lopper and Hedge Shear extend. Simply turn each one outwards a quarter turn (they are conveniently labeled to remind you) and you can choose the length you want them extended. The Bypass Lopper handles stretch an extra 4½" and the Hedge Shears an extra 1½" allowing both to give you that extra length that you need to reach the higher branches.

Finally, for thicker cutting, the Serrated Folding Saw is extremely handy to take care of the job. Instead of pulling out a large handsaw, this folds easily to fit in a pocket or tool belt (or the holster meant for the Utility Bypass Pruner) and stays locked closed until you press the safety release button - a great feature for keeping everyone protected.

ATG Stores prides themselves on maintaining the highest level of personal and corporate integrity, as well as providing the best selection of products at a great value for their customers. Their prompt and professional service, longstanding history of quality and their HUGE selection of everything you need for your home or business makes their collection of sites the ones to head for the next time you are looking to build, remodel or just beautify your home. Or, in our case, our yard!

Thanks to the generosity of ATG Stores, multiple people will win great prizes and gift certificates to their stores in the great contests they are having on Twitter and Facebook! Don't miss the next Twitter party coming up on November 30th, co-hosted by Jenna at A Mom's Balancing Act and I! And, just in time for the holidays, one person will be able to do some great shopping as well, because...

One lucky person will win a $75 gift certificate to ATG Stores!

To enter to win: Visit ATG Stores and LEAVE ME THE LINK to an item that you might purchase if you won this gift certificate.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry if you head over to A Mom's Balancing Act and enter to win a $75 gift certificate to ATG Stores over there, too!
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the Holiday Gift Guide giveaways (Checking Our List giveaways ONLY) running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Checking Our List 13: WIN a $75 gift certificate from @ATGStores and #thxmailcarrier! http://bit.ly/absg5u #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per method) if you follow ATG Stores on Twitter, follow their blog with Google Friend Connect and/or Like them on Facebook.
2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email or become a fan on Facebook.
2 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and ATG Stores. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you have our Checking Our List {Holiday Gift Guide 2010} button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you subscribe to the ATG Stores email list.

Giveaway will end on December 17th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only. Anyone who is currently hosting an ATG Stores product review or giveaway on their blog is not eligible to enter and you are only eligible to win an ATG Stores blog giveaway 3 times in total.

A big thank you to ATG Stores for providing a Lopping Pruner Set for me to review as well as a $75 gift certificate for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.