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Discount Flexibility
By Daphne | July 8, 2008
Not all discounters are the same. For people who are particular about the clothing they wear or items that they use, thrifting at thrift stores may not be something they are interested in. Although there are other discounters which have a range in quality such as A.J. Wright, T.J. Maxx, Marshall’s, Filene’s Basement, Sym’s or even Loehmann’s.
When shopping at discounters remember the key is to be flexible. Even the discounters have clearance areas. When looking for clearance items, make sure that all of the parts are there if it is a set, that it is something you can actually use and that the item is in good condition. Many items such as glassware or ceramicware may be just tossed into one section with other items. Also when items are put into a clearance area, there is often less care to their arrangement. An item that hasn’t found a home may be out of its box and something that other people do not now what it is used for.
I purchased a large espresso maker for only $7 from a discounter, as well as a great brand of coffee for the pot because the espresso maker’s box was in Italian. The coffee as well.
Colors that are not longer fashionable for the season or year or stores that have just one or two of an item left may offer greater discounts for the items just to get rid of them.
If you are looking for perishable items, check stores like those previously mentioned to find discounts on packaged teas, cookies, coffee and gourmet oils and jellies. Checking discounters for specialty items like teas could allow you to try some different ones and also to combine them with items like a bamboo tea box for a gift later on in the year. Think ahead when visiting discounters or thrift stores. If you are checking to see if there is anything you can use for a gift in three or four months that is one thing but if you are waiting to find a specific item, you may have difficulty.
It’s all in the name and packaging. When you are shopping at discounters, a name or the packaging may have changed so then the items are shipped off to discounters. Perfumes and colognes are often available at some places. If this is your favorite fragrance and you can’t find it anywhere except online, take a gander at the fragrance section of a discounter; it may be there. When you find it there, remember to check to see if it has been opened and a considerable amount used by others who want to smell the fragrance. Also, if this is your favorite and you have a difficult time finding it and the price is great buy more than one if you can. I found a fragrance I like at a discounters with lotions for half of what it was selling for online so I bought two since I use the fragrance several times a week.
Be aware of prices because even the same item may cost more among discounters.
Topics: July 2008 |