Smart Shopping - Getting the Best Deals For Your Hard Earn Money
When You Should Avoid Shopping
The worst time to shop for most merchandize in general, is immediately after a new model or brand comes out on the market. The reason for this is that the demand for most new brand of products, coming out on the market for the first The worst time to shop for bargain, especially when it comes to phones, computers, electronics, gazettes, and time, is usually high, especially when it comes to electronics, computers and most gadgets. This will naturally cause price to trend upward.
Many people want to make sure that they are the first to own the latest model or piece of technology and are therefore, willing to pay the high cost for these products. The cost of these products will remain relatively high for a while before the demand gradually falls, which will automatically cause price to fall. This is the best time to shop for bargain and save a couple of bucks.
Best Time of Year to Shop
By the first week of June, most stores usually start marking down designer- priced summer items by at least 40%. Lookout for that same 40% mark down on all Fall merchandise to occur within the first week of December. However, you can expect to see the greatest reduction in price of merchandise anywhere from the end of July to the beginning of August. During this period markdowns generally range from 60 to 80% of the original price of all items on sale. Winter items are usually markdown by that same 60-80% margin by the end of January to the beginning of February.
Very important Shopping Tips
One smart way to know whether or not you are really getting a deal, is by checking the original price of the items you are about to purchase, because sometimes certain items are manufactured specifically for sale purposes. Another important piece of advice that you should always bear in mind whenever you go shopping is that you should never assume that all store registers have been updated to reflect additional markdowns or coupons. Therefore, it’s your duty to do your own calculation, so always take a small pocket calculator along with you and be prepared the do the math.
It's also important to know that when there is additional markdown a day or two after you have purchased an item, you are often entitled to the additional savings, so it's a good practice to keep your receipts and always be sure to check with the cashier regarding the policy of that store in regards to price adjustments. In tough times like these, try to curtail your spending habit by planning ahead as to the amount you can afford to spend. No matter what, try to stick to your shopping budget.
Best Day of the Week to Shop
One final tip, if you can put aside the time to accommodate shopping on Friday nights, that would be great, because this is really a great time to shop, simply because sale items for Saturday are usually marked down on the Friday evening before. Most of the people I talk to, tend to agree that by Saturday, you will only be left with nothing but few choices or in other words, picked-over items. One of the main reasons for this is due to the fact that the stores usually don't have the time to restock the floor after the smart shoppers have taken advantage of the Friday evening marked down items.
Big Sale Events You Can't Afford To Miss
Selected List of Stores
Dillard's: End-Of-Season Sale Events
- Usually advertised in the Local Newspaper
- You may also check online
- Savings markdowns of at least 25% throughout the year
Macy's: Semi-Annual Storewide Clearance Sale Events
- Usually in early January and at end of August
- Savings markdowns of up to 50%
Neiman Marcus: Last Call, One-Week Mid-Summer and Winter Semi-Annual Sale Events.
- You may check online for dates
- Savings markdowns of up to 65%
- Percentage off varies by department
Nordstorm: Semi-Annual & Anniversary Sale Events
- Usually a two-week event on seasonal merchandise
- Online and In-store sale dates available
- Women and Kids - May and November
- Men - June and late December
- Anniversary Sale - Biggest Sale; held each July
- Usually up to 30% savings markdowns
Sacks Fifth Avenue: Semi-Annual Clearance
- Usually in January and July
- You may check online for any changes in dates
- Savings % markdowns varies by department
T.J.Maxx: Semi-Annual End-Of- Season Clearance Events
- Throughout July and January
- Savings markdowns of up to 70%
Victoria's Secrets: Semi-Annual Sale Events
- Usually starts in January
- Beauty- Usually 50% off all selected items