If you missed it, we are doing a super fun Freebies2Deals 15 -Day Clearance Shopping Challenge! Head over here to read about it and get caught up on what is going on.. and to know how to win one of 30 Target Gift Cards!
Clearance Shopping Tip #1:
The biggest question I get is “Should I grab the item on clearance now… or wait to see if it goes lower before purchasing it?”. This can be a tough situation because if you purchase the item too soon, you might notice that the percentage off goes even higher and you could have bought the item for a lot cheaper. Or if you wait too long to purchase, the item might be sold out. Debacle??
- Clearance Schedules usually go something like this: 15% off, 30% off, 50% off, 70% or 75% off and if you are lucky 90% off
- See how many are left of that item in the clearance section. Is there a lot? Or only a few left? If there are only a few left, grab it!
- If the clearance section has been at 30% off for a long time, you might ask an employee to see when the clearance will change to 50% off. If they know or hint it might be soon, you may want to wait to purchase your clearance item.
- If you have a coupon, I would purchase the item right away. The clearance items that also have a coupon available to use usually sell out quickly.
There you have it! Stay Tuned for tomorrow’s Clearance Shopping Tip. And don’t forget that leaving a helpful clearance comment on this post gets you another entry into our HUGE Target Gift Card Giveaway. To see other giveaway entry options and details for the #F2D15DayClearanceChallenge, head here.
Amy
If you’re asking yourself, “should I wait to see if it goes on a better clearance?” Then yes, you should, because if you’re asking that you don’t need it that badly.
Jo Ann
My smaller grocery store had 11.5 oz Twix mini cookie bars on clearance after Christmas for $2.00 a bag. Since I love Twix and don’t see too many sales for them, I bought a couple of bags right then. I’m glad I did, because the next time I went to that store there weren’t any of the Twix or M & M Mars candy left. I only wish I had been prepared with coupons for them too.
Cindy Davidson
I always start to buy for Christmas the day after Christmas. You can find great deals on wrapping paper and Christmas decorations for the next year and since I have not put my Christmas stuff away yet I just pack them away. I also look for things that I might want to give during the next year. For example I got a great deal on a NFL T-shirt/Long Sleeve shirt combo. Regularly 50.00 bought for 15.00. I also try to buy a little something each month to ease the Christmas budget in November/December.
Shannon
This is the time of year that I start buying for my kids’ wardrobes for next year. I hate to buy anything for my daughter full price since I don’t have any other girls and once she outgrows it we are done with it. I buy the bulk of her wardrobe during clearance time for the previous season. The trick it to keep an eye on what you have already bought so you have a balanced wardrobe come next winter. 🙂
Kathy
smart
Karen
Today Target has started their January toy clearance. They have some toys for 70% and some are still 50%. Use the tips here to decide if you want to buy the toys that are 50% but for most part if it is a toy that is perfect for someone in your life, go for it!
Romina Guzman
We just moved in to our new house. I have a lot of things to shop for and I appreciate you guys sharing all the awesome deals out there. Target has become my favorite store thanks to Freebies. Thank you Melea.
Erin J.
My favorite way to combine deals at Target is to 1) shop sales 2) use Target coupons (via mail, mobile phone, or web coupons from Target.com), 3) combine with manufacturers coupons (if available), and finally 4) use my Target red debit card for an extra 5% off! It also gives you free shipping when shopping online, but I find the clearance selection is better in stores.
Lana Carter
At Target I always scan every item I buy using the mobile ap before going to the check stand. There is usually something I missed that there was a coupon for.
Calli
Pair clearance deals with Cartwheel by scanning the tag with your phone! You can save tons. I bought most of my daughters’ Christmas clothes there for next to nothing!
Also, ask or figure out your store’s markdown schedule. They all have a certain day they are most likely marking down toys or home, etc, but they aren’t necessarily the same. The two store nearest to me are always a day apart.
Cristal
I do the are there a lot rule and how soon am I returning to this store.
Kathy
I didn’t do so hot this year on clearance was kind a bummer. Maybe next year will be better.
Angela
If I think it will sell out before it goes more on sale then I will buy it and wait to see if it goes more on sale and bring it back to get the difference. But only if I frequent the store. Otherwise it’s not worth the drive back and forth.
Angie
This isn’t the most hidden secret but I will buy items on clearance. And if find that same item on a deep discount I just re-buy it and return the other item I purchased since I keep hold of my receipts. I’ve done this with a Hello Kitty CD and Karaoke system at Target. I purchased it at 30% and seen they got marked down to 75%. So I returned it and purchased the cheaper price.
Maria
I usually get gift for my nieces and nephews at this time of the year. I save me a lot of money. I loved January’s clearance time .
Monica Steele
I always question whether to buy something now, or wait and see if it goes to a lower price. Most of those items aren’t items I need (like Christmas clearance candy, baking items, wrapping items, decorations, etc.) – they’re just items that I want or would definitely use. I usually end up leaving the store – then going back the next day (or even later that same day!) because I regretted not buying the items right then! So my tip would be to buy it right away – at least in my case. It would save me that extra trip – although thankfully the 2 stores I shop at a lot, Target and Meijer, are not far from me 🙂
Lois
I like to use gift cards for clearance items. It makes for some super awesome deals!
Madalyn D
Since I live so far from a Target, I usually just buy whatever is on clearance at the time! If I lived closer, I would probably be more choosy over the percentage!
Becky C
I love Target’s clearance too – today I scored on Target’s toy clearance in our area!
beth enk
I buy my sons winter coat, hats and gloves for next year. I have been able to find great deals the last couple years. I also make sure I do a quick search to see if there are any coupons I can stack with clearance deals.
Andrea
When I purchase something on clearance, I almost always purchase things online. The main reason is I shop through a rebate site like ebates or shopathome which always provide more of a percentage off. Recently I did this with Old Navy’s 25% off clearance sale (which they are doing again) and bought my boy a coat for next year. With the rebate site and the 25% off the sale price, I got his coat for an amazing deal! I bought him quite a few items for next year. I always try to buy my kids clothes for next season when they go on clearance this season.
Emily
I would like to know how all of you have any extra money this month! Lol
There is always a lot of clearance stuff at Walgreens that I like to go through when I can. I can usually find some great deals!
Kathy
Budgeting. They buy now for future so come december you are not killing yourself by overpaying.
Christine
Sam’s Club does some awesome unmarked clearance deals. Look for a $ amount ending in 1. It is always a clearance price. Last week I bought Gerber Graduates Grabbers box of 9 pouches for only $0.91. That’s only $0.10 a pouch!!! The pouches don’t expire til July. It looks like they were clearance because Gerber changed the packaging. Sometimes Sam’s puts clearance priced items in a cart next to an aisle display or on a flat bed cart at the end of an aisle. Just look for the price to end in a penny.
Megan
Tip I learned at MECCA and used this last week!! Texted for a Target Mobile Coupon for $25 off a $100 purchase in bedding. Then I checked the cartwheels and found another 10% off the items I purchased. Paid $86 for items that I would have paid $124! All together it ended up being about 30% savings on something I planned to pay full price for!!!!!
Julie
Good idea on how to decide!