Dear Annie: From chipped knickknacks to BOGO soap - Are my friends even trying?
Marcus Chen
Marcus Chen
Senior Reporter · Syracuse, NY
With a degree in Business Journalism from Columbia University, Marcus has spent a decade reporting on economic trends and local businesses for the Albany Times Union and formerly for NPR’s Upstate New York affiliate. His deep understanding of the financial landscape equips him to provide context to local economic shifts impacting Syracuse families.
More from Marcus →Senior Reporter · Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 11:00 PM · 1 min read
Dear Annie: What do you think about friends who give gifts such as thrift store items or items that they no longer want in their homes? I have one friend who gives thrift store items to me as gifts. They are almost always cracked or chipped with the thrift store tag still on them and wrapped in used tissue paper.