Discounts and sales – Are they really worth it?

If you are like me then you love a good sale. There is a thrill of finding an item that normally would have been out of range that you now can afford.  The natural attraction for consumers is to be able to shop without that feeling of guilt afterwards that they had spent too much money.

Are all sales or discounts equal/

How to shop

The first thing to remember when shopping is that the main aim of store managers are to make a profit.  They are not too concerned about the consumer’s budget or the quality of the product on sale.

So it becomes the consumer’s job to ensure that anything bought on a sale is something that is worth the price. One of the most important things is to check the original price of the item.  If the price is super inflated then the discount might simply be reducing the price of the item to what it should have been originally.

The other aspect of shopping is to examine the product carefully before celebrating a low price. The item might be shop worn or be otherwise damaged.  Sometimes consumers who take a chance on some damaged items might be able to repair them and still walk away with a bargain.

Sales Gimmicks

Another aspect to being a savvy shopper is to check the fine print.  Sometimes the stores use vocabulary which suggests that there is a rush as if the item will be gone if you don’t buy it now.  This might make consumers feel that they can’t pass by a sale and so they feel rushed to make a purchase.

That can be very misleading because sales often last for weeks and so you can be sure that there is enough time to check your budget and other stores before you make a decision.

Sales persons also tend to be very pushy during sales. They can try and convince you that the item that you are looking at is the only one that you really need! Of course they are doing their job but don’t allow them to persuade you if you realize that you need additional time to make a decision.

So the bottom line is that before you make a purchase whether it is a sale or not examine your needs, your budget and compare prices. It is important that you pay for an item and feel happy that the purchase has not depleted your funds!

What’s your take? Let me hear from you!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner online writer

Tags: discounts, sales, shopping