Liquidation... sales???

We all hear about stores that are closing and having huge liquidation sales, but are they TRULY bargains like they allege?

You may think that liquidation sales are a wonderful chance to find deals, however, liquidation sales offer few bargains.

I came across an interesting article that raise very good points. It has certainly been helpful to me. Next time you feel tempted by the advertisements, think again and keep these facts in mind.

"You don't need it: If you heard about a liquidation sale where a company is selling some type of gadget and now you find yourself wanting one, you did exactly what the liquidator wanted you to do. If you really wanted the gadget, it would have been on your list, after all.

The first rule of smart shopping is that, if you don't need it, it's not a bargain no matter what the price. Liquidation sales are a good way to convince yourself that a want is within reach, and therefore a need.

The prices aren't that good: When people hear the words "liquidation sale," they assume the main purpose is to get rid of merchandise quickly, meaning cheaply. While moving the inventory is one goal, it's not the primary goal. The main point is to make money.

Since "liquidation sales" usually last several months -- Circuit City's will last till the end of March -- there is no incentive to slash prices from the outset. In fact, most liquidators will actually raise prices to full retail or a token 10% off because they know the store will be packed with people. That means prices at liquidation sales are often higher than you could have gotten at the store before it went into bankruptcy. Those "75% off or more" discounts that you are imagining won't arrive until the final week of the liquidation sale -- a time when anything you would really want will already be long gone.

If you still feel you must go to the liquidation sale because you are sure prices will be good, do your homework. Know the prices at area rivals and online. This way, you'll know what a good deal is.

There are limited forms of payment: The way you can pay for merchandise at a liquidation sale can be limited. Checks, coupons and gift cards probably won't be accepted. You probably can't use credit cards in the final weeks, when large discounts come into play.

All sales are final: Since the store is going out of business, sales are usually final. If you have trouble with that big-screen TV or gadget, the store isn't going to help you. Especially for expensive items, it may not be worth the risk if you are only saving a few dollars.

If you do decide to buy at a liquidation sale, see that the item is in good working condition. Plug it in to make sure it works and open the box to be certain all the pieces are there. You need to take extra care since you won't be able to return it. Fully understand the return policies and any terms of the sale before you buy. If you can, use a credit card to get protections.

There's no knowledgeable help: The goal of liquidators is to sell, not to help you decide which of several similar gadgets would best suit your needs. All staff will likely be working the cash registers, and any floor help may have little to no knowledge with technical questions. Basically, there will be no service of any kind, so unless you know exactly what you want, liquidation sales are not the place to try and find something.

Good deals can usually be found at the end of a liquidation sale, but only on items that aren't in high demand. Don't be fooled into thinking that, just because a business is being sold through liquidation, it guarantees a good price. Liquidation sales carry a lot of disadvantages. Or better yet, skip the liquidation sales altogether and spend your money on things that are on your need list."

courtesy of Yahoo.

Overpriced!

The Spring semester has begun and with it come expenses. I simply could not believe that a book that would be only used for 4 months, 16 weeks, 2 days per week in lectures, would be priced for more than $250!!!! Immediately, I began searching through many ( and I mean MANY) sites where I could find this particular book much cheaper. But my hard work was not in vain, the purchase of 7 books totaled $230! Today, I came across a Betsey Johnson purse that I really like. And yes, I compared prices for it. One site is selling this purse for $195 and others for about $165.


I just placed an order for this purse; it was selling for $97.50

More $$$$ for my pocket! : )

Recessionista 411

recessionista

n. A person who dresses stylishly on a tight budget.

Does that commonly used term describe you? Here are some tips that can help you stretch your dollar:



1 Purchase trendy clothing at discount department stores. Dont repress your fashion cravings, select clothing from clearance aisles or clearance racks. The clothing may be ticketed about 50 to 70 percent of its retail price.

2 Shop at outlet malls. You will find your favorite brands at a lower price. Get wonderful deals!


3 Become a member of frequent shopping clubs. Doing so, you will be eligible to receive reward discounts in addition to low prices. You may be also be entitled to receive cupons through mail or email.


4 Buy celebrity trends lower cost fashion stores and women boutiques. You may be able to find a similiar clothing piece that you recently saw your favorite celebrity wearing at a fashion event.

5 Shop vintage, thrift stores and consignment stores for winter wear. You will be amazed at the great clothing you will find there!!

6 Create a designer swap party. Invite a group of friends and encourage them to bring at least 10 clothing items that they own and no longer use. In addition to spending quality time, you may become the new owner of new clothes!


Be creative and search for great shopping opportunities, but most important of all, explore a variety of stores to find great savings!

Recessionista

Don't let the economic downturn affect your wardrobe! Shop for stylish clothing, but most importantly, shop wisely. Here are few clothing items that I came across. They are trendy, yet inexpensive.

SALE SALE SALE!

2009 is here!!! To welcome the new year, Shop Ashiya is currently holding a HUGE sale. This sale includes all of its products and ranges from 20% to 70%. Did I mention that this sale is occurring for an unlimited time? Yes, that's right....unlimited time! Take advantage of great prices and don't miss out.