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 Is it possible to save 70% to 90% off of purchases like groceries,
vacations, clothing, toys, shoes, and house wares? Yes, it is. You just
need to know where and how to look for the deals. In this article you will
discover how to do just that. Ever try looking through the water of a
river without polarized sunglasses? With polarization you see a world of
life under the water that was invisible before. The same thing happens
when you look at the world through “deal glasses”. All of a sudden you see
huge savings that were invisible to you before.
You know there is a catch, though, right? The catch involves two things:
patience and planning. Instant gratification and convenience are the
reasons most people are paying much more than they should be. Tremendous
amounts of money are sacrificed when shopping impulsively, at
indiscriminate times, or at “convenience pricing” (buying souvenirs at the
airport, for example). The best news is that there are many tools and
resources available to make it easier, and once you have organized your
efforts into a system that works for you, finding deals becomes almost
automatic.
3 keys to getting the best deals
1) Be prepared: pre-plan your purchase
well in advance and save for it. You will then be ready to act when you
find the right opportunity.
2) Be knowledgeable: thoroughly
understand what the best prices, quality, and features are. Knowing these
things will help you spot the best deals.
3) Be patient: Don’t buy emotionally;
buy strategically. Buy when you are financially ready to; not when you
just want to. Taking your time can save you money!
Turn time into savings!
When is it NOT time to buy?
“Compare at price” or “Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price” - For you,
this is not a valid or even reasonable price. This price is intended to
make your eyes bug out and make you feel good about this retailer’s
“everyday low price”. You will be hard pressed to find this “compare at
price” for this product or service anywhere. No one is going to pay that
price.
“Our everyday low price” - While this figure will look conservative listed
next to the “compare at price” it isn’t the best price, because in almost
all cases there will be many opportunities in the future to buy at a lower
cost on sale, with better terms, or other incentives. Furniture stores,
appliance retailers, and clothing shops are notorious for this.
This is just the starting point for the deals!
“Our sale price” - It may say “sale”, but that doesn’t mean this price is
only good now (remember seasonal markdowns and clearances). It may be
their lowest price, but is it THE lowest price of all sellers? Based on
your research are there times when prices are lower or will there be
competitors who can beat this retailer’s sale price?
Here are the 5 best ways to buy:
The lowest sale price (LSP) in the industry
 If you have done your research you will spot this opportunity. You will
recognize that this is the lowest price this item has been offered
anywhere that is accessible to you. Be careful that the quality you
receive at this lowest price is the same or better.
Tip: Mark your calendar! Stocking up when you find the best deals allows
you to save during the year. Example: toys will be most expensive at
Christmas time. Buy them in early January, mid August, or Black Friday
when they are priced much lower. Hide them and give them for gifts later
in the year.
LSP + bonus
You have established that this is the best price, but you found the seller
that will sweeten the deal for you by throwing in a bonus at no cost. Free
delivery or shipping, a second free item, an additional supply, a better
warranty, free future upgrades, a gift card, etc.
LSP + bonus + coupon
You have arranged one of the bonus scenarios listed in the last example,
but the seller is also willing to accept a coupon (from their own store, a
manufacturer, or even a competitor) or give you another discount for using
their own brand name credit card. Don’t forget to do a quick search for
online coupon codes as well (retailmenot.com, for example) prior to
buying!
Tip: rather than clipping one coupon out of your newspaper, buy 10 of them
from an eBay coupon collector.
LSP + bonus + coupon + miles or cash back on
credit card
The difference here is that, in addition to getting the lowest possible
price along with using a coupon and receiving a bonus of some sort, you
complete the purchase on one of your credit cards that pays you a perk for
using the card. Of course, this only works if you are going to PAY IT OFF
BEFORE THE INTEREST STARTS! Any incentive they give you for just doing
what you had planned on doing anyway helps.
All of the above done through a rebate or bonus
site
You may even be able to complete your normal purchase just like above, but
do it through a referral site. Even some grocery stores are now giving you
additional credit for making your normal purchases through their site (try
fuelperksmall.com, aaa.com, or ebates.com, for example). Additionally,
take the time to sign up for the store rebates online (RiteAid and
Walgreens do these a lot) or take the time to fill out and mail rebate
forms!
Save Even More With These 3 Credits
1) Credit for being a loyal customer:
Also be sure to look at the receipt that is either printed or emailed to
you. During holidays, some stores publish specials on their receipts that
allow you to earn gift cards for future purchases. Giant Eagle’s "Fuelperks"
is a good example of a program that rewards your loyalty with future
discounts.
2) Credit for referring a friend:
If you are purchasing in a store or from a salesperson be sure to ask what
incentive they can give you for referring additional business to them. If
you are buying online be sure to read the company’s posted policies on
referred.
3) Credit for buying more than one:
What does a salesperson love better than making a sale? Making two sales!
It will take a lot less energy for her to sell you another item than
trying to make a sale to the next 10 customers that come in just to
browse. Many sellers will be happy to give you another discount for making
multiple purchases.
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article at 412-376-SAVE (7283).
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