Smart Shopping

I attended a short class on base called Smart Shopping. I thought the notes might be helpful to some of you:



Shopping Psychology

1. Where are most sale items located? The back.
2. They give you bags to fill in some stores (so you feel like you have to fill them) or they'll start a dressing room for you.
3. Why is sale merchandise often in bins, barrels, or in complete disarray on clothing rack?
It gets your attention to come over because you don't want to miss out on what people are getting.
4. Where are most generic items located on grocery shelves? Bottom.
5. What's located at eye level? What they want you to buy.
6. On cereal aisle and checkout, who is being targeted? Kids. Have a plan so it's not chaotic.

Fast Food

-Red and yellow colors on restaurants names (to attract you).
-Those colors stimulate hunger.
-Green color is healthy.

Retail Schemes

-If you use a cart, you feel like you have to fill it even if you only need a few items. Mentally prepare yourself to only get a few things and grab a basket.
-Mirrors on wall. If you don't like the way you look in the mirror, you'll want to buy stuff to make you look better.

Check out prices

-Compare clearance prices to original prices.
-Check the prices that come up at register.
-Price out accessories and merchandise from "discount stores."

Credit card loyalty discounts

-Sign up now for 10% off now.
-For every $400 you spend, you get a 20% gift card.

What you're really getting!!

-Extremely high rates!!!
-An invitation to impulse buy (it's easier to put it on a card than pay cash).
-More debt (the only way the card is useful is if you pay them off at register).

Is buying bulk better?

-Practical shipping: what will you use? Check expiration dates.
-Comparison shipping: what should you consider? Shop with a calculator to see if it's a good deal.
-Don't go for the gimmick!
-Carry cash and don't go over your limit.
-Don't get to register and be surprised.
-Use your notepad to make a grocery list.
-Use a calculator to keep a tally of your items.
-Kids think "it's just money" when they see you swipe your card instead of cash.

Best time to buy things

-6 weeks after your merchandise hits the floor, on a Thursday evening or Friday morning.
-At outlets, don't buy unless it's on sale.
-Right after a "friends and family sale - this is end of the season merchandise.

1. Big appliances - Sept/Oct
2. Cars - Sept (look at date on car and get a car fax report)
3. Computers - July/Aug
4. Cookware - April/May, Oct/Nov
5. Furniture - Jan/July
6. Jewelry - Avoid holidays, V-days, and Mother's Day (100% of jewelers' profits are during that time!)
7. Linens and bedding - Jan
8. Toys - Oct/Nov
9. TVs and home theaters - winter holiday sales and Jan
10. Airline tickets - depends
- don't buy before 120 days out
-90 days is the same
-21 days is pushing it
-14 days it will go up
- best time to purchase is middle of the week
-8:30, 12:30, 5:30 are times prices are updated
-look for tickets late on Wednesday evenings

Shopping online

www.retailmenot.com

Can the item be shipped to store? It's not free shipping if you have to spend a certain amount to get it.

Coupon Clipping

Where can you find them?

1. Commissary - when you enter
2. Sunday paper
3. Online sites like www.couponmom.com

-double coupons
-store rewards

-get coupon organizer
-make shopping lists
-ask friends about their favorite deals