Shop Smarter!

I have often noticed that during this time of the year every store advertises that they are offering the best sale.  The prices are slashed to 50% according to the sensational headlines which are prominently displayed.

If consumers are not careful they could be caught in the trap of buying items that are really not discounted.

Pitfalls

The most common mistake consumers make is that they don’t check the original price of the product.  If they did then they would realize that merchants often inflate those prices then reduce it to what it should have been sold for in the first place.

The quality of discounted items are also of a concern.  I have seen items for sale that were shop worn as they had been on display for a long time and were simply not worth the cost.  Merchants are aware that the items are not of the best quality but instead of disposing or donating the items they have these sales to get rid of older stock.

At the time you purchase the item you might not have noticed any damage but if it is identified after you get home then that is a new problem.  Some stores do not have a return policy on sales items. this is the case even when they would normally take returns.  This means you could get stuck with the item.

Another concern is that as you strive to meet your financial goals you do not need to derail them by buying things you do not need.  Some sales tactics can be very persuasive especially with their enticing promise of deals. However it is vital that you stick to the budget and remind yourself of the importance of starting the new year debt free.

Another issue I have with excessive shopping is the accumulation of debt. It is easy to swipe the card and take home your purchases but remember soon you will have to pay that credit card bill. Often persons accumulate massive debts as they assure themselves that the deal is worth the cost of the item.

It is important to note that credit cards accrue interest so the discount you received on the item will be significantly reduced if you miss a payment or only pay the minimum amount.

Be smart

So what can you do to ensure that you shop smarter?

Firstly, don’t get caught up in the lure of catchy advertisements that promise unrealistic deals.

Secondly check out the original price for the item and shop around to get the best price. Most importantly if you don’t need it then don’t buy it!

What’s your take?

Let me hear from you!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner online writer

Tags: deals, discounts