Aside from a few things (classic handbag, perfect length jeans, jewelry) I rarely ever pay full price for anything. Ever since I started spending more time online and researching for the blog, I found more ways to save. It’s less about being cheap and more about taking advantage of the system. If there’s a coupon, why not use it? It’s almost like we pay full price for convenience because if you take the time to do research, you’ll find a deal.
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve purchased something at retail and it went on sale three weeks later for a ¼ of the original price. For an analytical mind like mine, paying $100 for a top when I could have gotten it for $35, drives me nuts!
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve definitely waited too long to purchase something and lost out. But overall, I’d say doing my research and getting familiar with the system has allowed me to become a better more savvy shopper. Speaking of, I just scored a vintage Coach crossbody on Threadflip =)
Sometimes I think I’m crazy, but most of the time I’m happy I was able to find shoes I’ve been wanting for half off. What do you think? Do you pay full price because it’s easier or do you search for deals?
Learn more about the shopping tips and tricks I live by after the jump.
Image courtesy of Teen Vogue
This is GREAT advice! I do a lot of these sames things. Having worked in retail in some compacity or another since high school, I know how quickly items go on sale and since the stores are usually so ahead of the actual season, it only makes sense to wait. My favorite examples are the jeans, sweaters, and jackets that are in stores in July and (in OH) they aren’t wearable until at least the end of September. By the time they can be worn they are marked down to the perfect deal!
Christine, I’m so glad you like this! Since we all shop, I thought it would be fun to share different tips and tricks we personally follow. Thanks for sharing yours
This is such great advice! I’m the same way! I would rather wait to spend a lot of money on something I really, really love than buy something in the heat of the moment!
Oh yes! I’m right there with you. I never, ever buy anything that isn’t on some sort of sale. To be perfectly honest, I have fun hunting for deals and get a thrill from it, plus I save my money, a win win!
great advice… I definitely am guilty of over paying for an item out of convenience. But I do always love something more when I know that I put some effort into scoring it for a deal. Speaking of which… can’t wait to check out some Memorial Day sales at my mall this weekend… looking for summer hats and tees!
xx
Here&Now
Really, really helpful! I love scoring a good deal but tend to wait too long and buy full price. I always wondered how you kept up with being so stylish and trendy
You know how to rock a sale!!
GREAT post! It’s good to be a smart shopper. I actually do a lot of my shopping this way too…when it comes to online shopping, it’s smart to be smart!
xo,
nancy
Great advice! I also subscribe to a ton of emails because I don’t want to miss out on anything either. I rarely pay full-price for stuff (unless it’s Zara – their sales are such a mess usually that I never find anything I want, and sometimes stuff just runs out!), and use a lot of the tricks you mentioned!
Great tip on the shoes, btw – I sometimes, but not all the time fit the Zara size 36 shoes – will definitely have to to check the kids’ shoe section!
Good tips! I hate when something goes on sale a few weeks after I’ve purchased it, so frustrating!
I love this post so so much, basically because I relate to it completely!! I always go to the sale racks, especially at Anthropologie. 85% of my J.crew clothes are all from the extra 30% off sale items, yes, I always always wait, same with my Madewell ones. I think I’ve only gotten 2 things at full price. I’m one of those that thinks that if you can save then there’s no reason to pay more, period. I don’t see the point on not taking care of your well earned money. Of course there are times when I splurge, I do it on items I utterly love and those that I know I’ll use forever. I’ve never been a super impulsive buyer, I think about a purchase a lot, even a small one. For my online purchases I give it at least 24 hours to think about it, sometimes even more! Unless I’m at the fitting room and it fits really good and the price is great.
So glad to know that we relate on this Crystalin
I go straight to the sale racks and used to feel shame in it, but now I don’t care at all. It is silly to pay full price unless you are seriously seriously obsessing over something. I know from experience that impulse purchases are a poor idea and usually lead to regret/buyers’ remorse. It’s not a good feeling. Glad to see you know how to get a steal. It’s so important to be a smart shopper! I know too many girls who have gone into shopping debt… it is really sad!
Hey, I don’t blame you! I hardly ever do either. Especially being a college student- it’s just not in the books for me at this point! Happy Thursday!
Cheers, Elizabeth @ The Corner Apartment
Pingback: Blogger Shopping Tips | Styles and Savings
I do alot of the same things. I do believe in cost per wear though so if I think something will dissappear I will pay full price if I a. LOVE IT and b. will wear it alot. Still most retailers will adjust your reciept if there is a sale within 2 weeks of you buying the item. If they give you a hassle, just return it and then buy it again, ON SALE.
One thing I really hate paying for is shipping. So I shop around for free shipping, which to Canada isn’t as easy. But sometimes the retailers own site charges expensive shipping whereas Shopbop will ship it for free AND in less time.
i agree crystalin!
i have a separate email folder for shopping deals, and all the emails from my favourite stores go in there automatically so my inbox doesn’t get cluttered …
also, i always try to try on clothes in real stores before ordering online so as to not waste money purchasing multiples, shipping, returns etc (not a ton of free shipping in canada
) … i feel like i wasted some money back in the day when ebay was huge and i was totally addicted!
i also love craigslist, list4all, smashion & shopmyclothes for gently used/new clothing
thanks for the tips!
xo julesinflats.blogspot.com
Yeah, really, very, very rarely…I worked in luxury retail and lived near what was once the best (and I think only) Neimans outlet, and once you’ve bought Ann Demeulemeester for <$20, it's difficult to take MSRPs seriously ever again. Once I added in serious thrift store shopping (which is pretty much all I do in my current location), it was all over. I have paid full price things–when I was younger and approached my shopping differently, and then also when I could easily afford it, but as I get better and better deals on things I find myself more and more unwilling to pay the higher prices. Increasingly it seems that a lot of today's offerings' value is not commensurate with their price, and I just don't feel any urgency for inferior goods. Plus, I have a lot of clothes, so I'm not exactly going naked waiting for things to get marked down.
x
I’m about go to from working full time to part time. This are such great tips!
Several retailers – Anthropologie, Gap, Banana – will price adust if an item goes on sale within 14 days of purchase. You just have to be savvy and check online to see if your items price has dropped.
I’ve also found if I order online from a retailer that’s not in my state I save on the sales tax. I make sure to google coupons to get free shipping as well.
After reading this blog my goal is to not pay full price for anything for the rest of the year!!
Meredith
http://www.thelovelyowl.com
Love this post! I am definitely a bargain shopper and exercise a lot of these strategies! Have you checked out Ebates? They give you cash back on online purchases and it’s awesome!
Tracy
Therightshoes-Tracy.blogspot.com