Are you a careful shopper?

How many times have you bought something only to be disappointed with your purchase when you examined it at home?

Unfortunately many consumers have had this experience as they make purchases based on a whim without really carefully examining it for defects or other signs of damage.

During a whirl wind shopping trip, I found myself beside a woman who was debating her purchase. The bath set was on sale for only $500.00 and it included a mat and a toilet seat cover.

The price was attractive but I realized that she was carefully examining the quality of the product. After a few moments, she reluctantly replaced it on the shelf.  I took up the product and saw why she had reservations as there were very obvious signs of damage at the back of the mats.

This really makes me upset because it seems as though the persons who place such items on sale think consumers are so willing to pay less that they will pay for an inferior product.

Of course not every sale is a disaster, but often the price being charged is so inflated that even if they promise a whopping 50% discount then the final price is really what it should have been to begin with and not the originally marked price.

Deals and Layaway Plans

The shopping season is not over although the new year looms ahead. Many stores will be dropping prices soon to make way for new stock on their shelves.

The best thing consumers can do to keep abreast of new developments at the stores is ask to be added to the store’s SMS or email list so they can be informed of sales and arrival of new stock.

What if you see an item at a good price but it is not in your budget?

One option is to access the lay away plan that some stores offer to their customers. This is not a credit facility as no interest is charged.  The store accepts a deposit and keeps the item until the consumer has paid the full cost.  The consumer would then not run the risk of paying double for the item.

So happy shopping but remember to leave some money for a ‘rainy day’! Leave me a line below!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner online writer

Tags: discounts