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Black Belt Shopper
(featured column)
Don’t Get Mauled at the Mall
by Larry
Wiener
The book was gorgeous and would make a perfect gift for my
niece. She is just getting old enough to enjoy being in the kitchen and this
book which I found in a very high end kitchen store would be ideal. But, like
just about everything else in the store, it was offered at a price that would
make a black belt shopper cringe.
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What to do? Do I splurge? After all, I can afford it and
Stephanie is a wonderful girl. Still, I may get better value buying something
else.
I went home and did what every black belt shopper knows you
can usually do in the New Economy–I checked on prices. In this case, I found
that beautiful book for 35% less at buy.com, an online general merchandise site.
If you’ve read about the New Economy, you know that choices,
timing, and information are the three key words for thriving in the New Economy.
Thanks to the plethora of ways to buy and gain information about purchases, a
buyer today has more options, particularly if (s)he is not in a hurry and is
flexible about brands, models, etc. I have noticed this is particularly true
about major purchases and upscale items.
Some of these options can be confusing, but if you know how to
use them, the resources of the New Economy can help you get more value for your
dollar. Many mall merchants hope that you see an item you want and just buy it.
Black belt shoppers know better.
So what does a black belt shopper do when (s)he sees a great
item at a not-so-great price? Here are some of the tools I use to snag those
bargains.
 | Wait for a Sale Michelle
Jones once said on this site that if something isn’t on sale today, it
probably will be soon. This is particularly true in mall-anchoring department
stores. Those stores are so anxious to stay current in fashions that they put
their apparel on sale very quickly. They rotate sales on household items and
regularly have coupon and percent off sales. Looking in your local newspaper
will help you time those sales. |
| Look Online While not every
online merchant has low prices, plenty still do. I saved 35% on that child’s
cookbook by going online and happened to get in on a free-shipping window. An
online consignment store called half.com has an incredible selection of books,
movies, software, and the like both new and used. Overstock.com is an online
closeout store with very low shipping fees and a wide variety of merchandise.
And don’t forget ebay and other auction sites. Biz-rate.com and mysimon.com
are two sites that will help you compare prices and rate websites and items
currently sold online. Epinions.com will also help you price shop online. |
| Check out the Closeout Stores
They’re not beautifully decorated and sometimes you really have to look to
find things, but closeout stores can really get you some bargains on
surprisingly attractive merchandise. Stores like Big Lots specialize in
everyday merchandise while outlets such as TJ Maxx and Marshall’s attempt to
emulate the higher end department stores in their offerings. |
| Consider an Alternative Item
Many mall merchants are dead set on having you crave certain designer brands.
We have designer clothing and cookware. Certain tools are touted to be better
than any other. Sometimes certain brands have the reputation because they
actually deserve them. Other times, however, the "must have" brand
may not actually be the best for your use. Sometimes the most expensive brand
isn’t even the most durable. Checking with professional ratings at Consumer
Reports and the people’s ratings at sites such as epinions.com or amazon.com
can help you see how people who have actually used the items have responded to
them. |
| When in Doubt, Wait Mall
stores are designed to make the merchandise so attractive that you feel that
you have to have it that moment. If you’re not sure if you want or need an
item you see, step back a little. Walk around. Go home. Talk with someone to
see if the purchase you are considering really will add value to your life. |
| Try to Forecast Your Needs and Plan Ahead.
When I first saw that cookbook, my niece’s birthday was three months away. I
had time to order online and even wait while the book was back-ordered. The
same is true when you buy groceries ahead, you can combine a sale and a
coupon. If you can think ahead enough to buy at the best time, you’ll get
value. |
Malls can be dangerous places in more ways than one. The
presence of security officers reminds us of the physical danger. I’m here to
remind you that the clever placement of high-profit items to attract your
attention can be dangerous to your financial well-being if you are not careful.
The New Economy, however, provides so many options for wise
shopping that stepping back a little and being a little more methodical will
help you get so much more for your dollar. Don’t get mauled at the mall.
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© 2003 by Larry Wiener | |
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