Bargains abound as the big day nears
Black Friday has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t bargains to be found. You still have 24 more shopping days until Christmas to find a little something for everyone. Here are some tips for making it through the holidays, and beyond, while still saving money.
Add items to your online shopping cart and step away. Some retailers will recognize that you’ve left items in your cart and send a coupon code as an incentive to close the deal. I most recently experienced this with Pottery Barn.
Be wary of rebate offers. Rebates often require the purchase receipt and a UPC code to be mailed in, which would ruin the product’s packaging. If the item is a gift, that could be a problem if it needed to be returned. Look into what’s required before springing for a rebate deal and always ask for a duplicate receipt if you do make the purchase.
Shop around for gift cards. Even though many stores, like Kroger and Walmart, offer gift cards to various restaurants, stores and online services they’re not always the best deal. Occasionally Target and CVS offer rewards or discounts on gift card purchases.
Some stores and restaurants offer incentives, like additional free gift cards, if you purchase them at the brick-and-mortar location. For example, Outback Steakhouse is offering a free $20 bonus card for each $100 purchased in gift cards.
It’s also possible to find discounts on gift cards online. Best Buy.com has offered discounted iTunes gift cards in the past.
Keep all of your receipts in one place. There’s nothing worse than having to return an item and not get the full purchase price back because the receipt went missing. Find a system that works for you.
You’re not safe if you only buy gift cards. It’s wise to hold onto those receipts as well in case there’s an issue redeeming the cards.
If you do happen to lose a receipt, check the store’s return policy. Some retailers, like Lowe’s, can look up the purchase with the credit card merchandise was bought with.
Research offers from your bank and credit card. Many banks and credit companies offer incentives during the holidays for extra cash back or discounts. You’re not always automatically enrolled, but can be as simple as calling or clicking to sign up. I recently received an offer for discounted hotels and airfare from Bank of America.
Look out for frauds. My rule: If a deal seems too good to be true it probably is. This is especially true with online shopping, but can be a problem in retail as well. Research companies before you make a purchase and if possible speak to a real person before you hand over any information.
There’s no shame in coupons. Just because you’re buying a gift doesn’t mean you can’t save as much as possible. Use coupons, daily deals, store rewards and any other discounts you come across. The recipient will enjoy his or her spoils no matter the cost.
Beware of flash sales. Yes, some of these are great deals — but not all of them. If a sale is timed or warns of “limited quantities” our first instinct is to snatch it up. Research all of the items on your shopping list in advance so you know what a good price is and you could avoid paying too much during a “sale.” There’s also a lot of fine print that can be attached to these deals, so research the return policy, shipping costs and any additional fees before you commit.
Consider freebies with purchase, but don’t let those seal the deal. Some freebies are worth it, while others are a decoy. A free $20 gift card with the purchase of a product could be used for more shopping or as an additional gift. Free products with purchase, like free games with the purchase of a game system, are often items with little value. You may not be getting a deal in that case.
Take store rewards into account. If there’s not a better offer available, buying gift cards at Kroger for four times the gas points (available at most stores through Dec. 9) is a good deal. If you’re an avid Walgreens or CVS shopper, buying gift cards at those retailers that are accompanied with big ExtraBucks or Balance Rewards can pay off in the long run.
Use common sense and be a smart shopper. Don’t stress over pennies and don’t shop around so much you run out of time. The holidays are about being around friends and family more than anything, even though finding the perfect gift can feel pretty fantastic, too.
What’s your best tip for making it through the holiday shopping season?
December 1, 2012 - 5:00 AM
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Odd question for you – do you have any experience with ebates.com? The basic premise, from what I can gather, is that you set up an account, then shop online, as usual. To get the rebates (sent 4 times a year), you start your shopping at the ebates website.
It seems like an interesting concept – a lot of stores like Kohl’s and JC Penney were offering anywhere from 4-8% rebates.
Mary J.: I have tried experimenting with eBates, but don’t have a ton of experience with it. I think the hardest part is remembering to go through their site as you’re shopping. I have heard good things from other shoppers, though, so it is a reliable site.
It’s on my list of things to play with a little more, and possibly get enough insight to write a column about it. If you give it a try let me know what you think!
Mary J and Rebecca, I have been using Ebates for about a year now. Rebecca, you are right about having to remember to link through the site first. Usually, as long as you have opened a ticket and ordered the same day, they will honor it if you send a note to customer service with confirmation of your same-day order. I’ve gotten several checks over the past year, the most recent that I am waiting on is around $95.00. I figure it’s better to get something back, than nothing! You just need to check to see if the websites you frequent participate and what the rebate percentage is. My rebates haven’t always been this much, I just happened to remember to link more than usual as I was doing Christmas shopping during October and November! I’m use it to treat myself once it arrives!
Wow, that’s great Maria! I’ll definitely have to give it a try now.
Shop At Home is another rebate site that offers cash back. I need to do some research and see who participates with more retailers and offers the most in return.