Trimingham?s launched its going-out-of-business sales yesterday with up to 30 percent discounts offered in all departments.

Word of the sale drew a lunchtime crowd through the doors of the 163-year-old business, but reaction to the actual size of the discounts was less than enthusiastic.

One Bermudian bank administrator, who asked not to be named, purchased an item discounted 20 percent ?just for the sake of buying something?.

She said: ?I came by because I knew the sale was on. I?m not being negative but I thought the prices would be reduced even more with July just around the corner.?

Bermuda resident April Andruczyk described the bargains as only ?okay?.

?I wouldn?t say they are great. I thought they would take a higher percent off, but I guess a sale is a sale,? she said.

Ms Andruczyk, an American who has lived here for the past two-and-a-half years, is a regular Trimingham?s shopper and is sorry to see the historic store close down. She hopes that other retailers such as A.S. Cooper and Sons and Gibbons Company will find a way to fill the void left behind by the large store, otherwise she thinks the closure may have a severe impact on the industry?s bid to encourage residents to buy Bermuda.

?There is a small selection of retail stores here and Trimingham?s is one of the places I visit most frequently and [with it closing it might encourage people to get off the Island more to shop.?

New York tourist Walter Munz and his wife have been visiting the Island every year for the past two decades and they are regular shoppers at Trimingham?s. While they were making some purchases yesterday, Mr. Munz too described the discounts offered as ?no big deal?.

?Trimingham?s have offered bargains all the time. Every time I come here it is ten to 20 percent off,? he said.

?The discounts are alright, but not the greatest. If they really wanted to get rid of the stock, they would offer it at 30-35 percent off and you would buy it whether it fits or not.?

While cosmetics and fragrance were on sale at a discount, the store was offering price cuts in other departments that are never usually discounted. The crystal department was quite busy with customers eyeing Waterford crystal marked off by ten percent and other brands such as Wedgwood and Baccarat discounted by 20 percent. However, in that department as everywhere yesterday, some shoppers were pondering whether to buy then or gamble on the chance that even deeper discounts would be implemented when Trimingham?s Wednesday July 27 closing date drew closer.