Category: Bargain Banter

Jul 20

Summer Heat Means Sizzlin’ Sales!

*Macy’s.  This retailer has been discounting merchandise the past two weeks with clearance racks up to 80% off.  Stock is limited at that level; however, there remains a good selection of merchandise at 65% off.

Herbergers.  Like it’s sister store, Younkers, yellow dot clearance marked up to 60% off last markdown.  MarkdownMom found Ralph Lauren, Evan-Picone and other designers at terrific savings.  Check out their ºyellow dot shoe sale that includes summer sandals.

Target and WalMart.  These retailers have controlled their inventory and stock is limited on apparel.  MarkdownMom finds high-end retailers mentioned are a better bet for higher quality designer merchandise at competitive prices.  However, check out summer hard goods for lawn and patio, in addition to electronics. Stores are beginning to stock Back-to-School.

Home Shopping Networks.  You will continue to see markdowns and increased number of easy pay,value pays, and flex pay payments extending consumer payments on merchandise bought.  However, markdowns are usually less than mortar and bricks retailers, but for big ticket items of electronics this may be the way to go.  One caveat is to compare prices with other retailers before weighing in on monthly payments for the best deal. 

Auto Sales.  Because of the Cash for Clunkers and the cost of new cars, inventory of preowned vehicles is down and prices reflect that.  However, next month the new models will be coming out and trade-ins should ease this shortage.  If you are looking for a new car, start looking for deals on 2010 vehicles as sales are down and dealers are more inclined to make a sale. 

TIP:  Retailers inventory was heavy going into summer and financial experts expect that will continue  into Back-to- School especially retailers like Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle Outfitters, so you may see early Back -to- School markdowns.

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Apr 13

Tip of the Week #60: Sometimes Patience Pays Off

Remember Markdown Mom’s post on Tip Of The Week #58: 3 Ways To Save That Shopping Network Item For Later Purchase in February when she was waiting to see if her top on waitlist would come in?   Well, it indeed did!  Of course, getting this item way beyond the 45 days on waitlist was due to the designer carrying over the popular top into the next season. 

But this recalls another item that Markdown Mom wanted from Pottery Barn that was reduced and sold out.  However, the style was carried over into a new season, but not in the color that she wanted.  Never say die, she went on Ebay and found the item in the color that she wanted for around the same sale price.  This brings up another bargain fact of life:  there are entrepreneurs out there that will buy up clearance items from designer retailers like Pottery Barn for later sale on Eba.  Sometimes this is done on an item-by-item basis, sometimes it is a jobber buying all the overstocks. 

What is important to remember is to keep frequent tabs on the stock of an item especially if you are hoping for a better price.  If you get skunked and the item is sold out before you can purchase it–check on Ebay and if really desperate, it doesn’t hurt to post a “ wanted to buy” listing on Craigslist; however, take measures so that the crazies and the spammers won’t inundate you.  

Tenacity & Patience Are Not Only Virtues, Sometimes They Pay Off! 

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Mar 03

Tim Gunn Thinks This Fashion’s A Croc!

Tim Gunn may not understand the fashionation of Crocs™, but take a trip to any Disney® theme park and family fun includes wearing Crocs; in fact, Disney has it’s own signature designed Crocs. 

 Crocs are indestructible, go anywbere foot attire.  Covering the feet of the entire family, the line has expanded to include lined crocs for winter and even crocs with heels for a more formal look.  Lightweight, transitioning seasons, and perfect for going through security at the airports, they meet the needs of people on the move.

For the bargainista, you find deals of 50% off at the Crocs™Outlet.  Even Tim Gunn would find these ©Disney Winnie The Pooh Pelican Crocs™ especially adorable for toddlers ages 1-3, $19.99!

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Feb 24

Wednesday Steal: Junior Fashions Right On Target!

Target has joined other retailers in offering Daily Deals but with an extra twist, free shipping!  However, these selections are on the clock and are only good for 1 day. 

 MarkdownMom Chics found this smart, versatile Junior Self Esteem Cap Sleeve, reg.$34.00, steal priced at $12.99, sizes S-XL, colors include fuschia, brown, and green.

Great Price and Free Shipping, Too!

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Feb 19

Bargain Banter: News From The Front

KMart or the Big K is having a great instore and online clearance sale.  Take an additional 40% off the markdown priceMarkdownMom found stylish tees in men’s and women’s departments for under $3!  Also, MarkdownMom picked up a Giorgio bath kit, reg.$12.99, for 99¢.

Pottery Barn’s latest catalog has added another dimension to its’ decorating line–antiques.  They have picked up antiques in Europe like  glass pickle canning jars, glass oil bottles, etc.  Prices are not cheap, but does give us DIYers more decorating ideas.

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Feb 18

Tip Of The Week #58: 3 Ways To Save That Shopping Network Item For Later Purchase

Ever debated about buying an item on a televised home shopping network, just to have it sell it out during the hour?  Here’s MarkdownMom’s suggestion on how to keep the information for later purchase. 

1).  If debating, put it immediately in your wishlist.   By doing this, should it come back into stock–and there is even a chance that can occur even on limited items–the item will reappear for purchase on your wishlist. 

 2).  Didn’t act fast enough to get it on your wishlist?  Look it up on the networks’ program guide information and bookmark it so that you can check back to see if it comes in.  

3).  Can’t find it on the program guide?  Use search engines such as  Google and Bing to locate item and then bookmark it.  Remember, persistance is a virtue.  MarkdownMom missed out on a Susan Graver top on QVC, put it on her wishlist, and guess what it has come back as a waitlist item–here’s hoping!

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Feb 12

The Cosmetic Cop & Bargain Hunter Launches Radio Talk Blog

Paula Begoun, often referred to as the Cosmetic Cop, and author of bargain substitutions for pricey cosmetics, has launched a radio talk blog. This site gives a listing of the full range of topics she will cover and the airing schedule.

Known for her investigative abilities to ferret out skincare products that work, and those that don’t  work, she has appeared with such popular television personalities as Oprah Winfrey  plus consumer oriented programs and has authored such bestselling books as:

and DVD, $13.49

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Feb 02

Mommysavers Author On Showcase Minnesota Today!

Kimberly Danger appeared on Showcase Minnesota today sharing tips and ideas for saving money from her book:

 

 

 

Instant Bargains 600+  Ways To Shrink Your Grocery Bills and Eat Well for Less. At Amazon reg.$12.99, sale $9.35.

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Feb 01

How Much Do You Want To Pay For Accessories This Spring, 2010?

Natural gemstones are all over the home shopping networks.  Particularly hot is designer Deb Guyot adding extra sparkle with multi-faceted, chunking quartz and incorporating other precious materials like pearls into her designs. 

One hot item has been her quartz twisted necklace and bracelets.  If you buy a designer original or from HSN expect to  pay $200 +up and well worth it given the amount of gemstones. 

However if you just want the sparkle without the big tag price, MarkdownMom found  a great substitute necklace chunky, mega sparkle in multi-faceted plastique colors offered onyx, blues/purples multi, or MarkdownMom’s personal favorite,clear, for $7!  Instore at WalMart.

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Jan 29

The Coupon Sherpa

The coupon man, Luke Knowles, shares with the world how to save cash by avoiding certain expenses.

WATCH:

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