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Ask the Bargain-shopper: The 10 Commandments of Shopping

Written by: Anne Garber

Article Overview: What do you mean "Thou shalt not covet?" Retail Therapy is all about coveting!

Ask the Bargain-shopper: The 10 Commandments of Shopping

Negotiate:
If something isn't on sale, why not ask for a better price? Don't ask for a specific amount off as you never know when you're leaving money on the table. Instead ask, "Is this the best deal you can give me?" It might feel a little awkward at first, but once you get the hang of it you'll be unstoppable!

Make a Date:
Every type of product has a time of year when it goes on sale. For example, running shoes hit the clearance shelf in January and June when new stock comes out and used cars show their true (and worst) characteristics in winter. So mark your calendar and make a date to shop.

Know what you need:
This is about being honest with yourself. Know your needs, your wants, your lifestyle and your budget. If you live in a city are you sure you need a mountain bike? Is picture-in-picture TV something you really can't live without? Realistically analyze what is worth paying for.

Don't be a sucker:
Though there's "one born every minute," there are certainly some categories of products where you can "go cheap" and still get quality. These include household cleaners as well as many cosmetics and beauty products. Learn your active ingredients and be a label-reader.

Be a savvy-shopper:
Do your research. Don't depend on sales people to educate you -- their job is to sell. So ask your friends for recommendations, do some surfing on the web, and call ahead to check pricing. And of course, check right here on evalu8.org for the best objective, expert-written reviews online. We're not hyping anything, we don't have "personal axes to grind," and we DO say when a product doesn't make the grade.

Be Nice:
You'll catch more deals with honey than with vinegar. This also means tipping well, or just being really polite -- especially at places you frequent.

Kick the Tires:
Take products out for a test drive whenever possible. Demo that sporting equipment and make sure you can take that sweater back if it doesn't work with the rest of the outfit at home.

Stay on your Game:
You went in for the skirt, and the salesperson is insisting you also need the matching shoes, bag and earrings. Be resistant and control impulse-buying. We like to quote the Libby Gelman-Wexler/Paul Rudnick one-week rule: If you have revisited the item, or you're still thinking about that product one week later, perhaps it means you were meant to be together!

Keep your Cool:
Nothing ruins a fun day of shopping like bad service. When complaining, be sure to stay calm. Speak to the appropriate person (like a manager) and be specific about what you want. An apology? A replacement? A discount? When I had a complaint at Fred Meyer's recently (PS: They fixed me right up), I felt that THEIR customer service had let me down, so I said firmly: "No, I'm not going to do your job for you; YOU should figure out how to make this up to me." And they did, so five stars for good follow-up, there.

Wear comfortable clothes -- AND shoes! :
Need we say more?

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Article Tags: active ingredients, axes, beauty products, clearance shelf, cosmetics, demo, home stay, honey, household cleaners, lifestyle, mountain bike, objective, running shoes, savvy shopper, sporting equipment, sucker, test drive, time of year, tires, vinegar



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