Since I don’t post on Sundays, you guys get hit with two awesome tips for Clearance Shopping today. Here they are:
Clearance Shopping Tip #4:
Don’t be fooled by something that is “on clearance”. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen a clearance sticker and the clearance price is only a few pennies cheaper than the regular price. Just a few weeks ago, I saw an item that was marked on clearance for $14.50. But the regular price was $14.99. Crazy, right? (Now I wish I would have taken a picture of it so I could show it to you all!) So make sure you are always checking the original prices. If the clearance price still sounds high, or you don’t know what the original price of something was, you can do a quick search online on your phone. That way you can quickly see what the regular price of that item is and if it really is a great deal. Some stores, like Walmart, don’t always post the original price on their clearance stickers either.
Clearance Shopping Tip #5:
Shop right after Holidays to grab items you want for the next year! You should still be finding Christmas Clearance at a lot of stores. But my guess is that they are pretty low on inventory. The first couple days after a Holiday are the best times to grab Holiday Clearance deals. If you are still lucky enough to haveChristmas Clearance items at your store, they are probably 70%-90% off right now. So grab whatever you think you can use for next year- decorations, storage items, wrapping paper……
Now get ready for Valentine’s Day Clearance. Since a lot of the V-Day Clearance is “love” or “heart” themed, you can actually use those items all yearlong for things like Anniversary’s, Weddings or any special occasion for you and your spouse! It’s one of the best overall clearance sales because you don’t necessarily have to wait 1 year to use those items for the next holiday! So on February 15th, you will want to be at the store checking out all of the awesome clearance deals! Mark your calendar so you don’t forget. 🙂
What is your helpful clearance tip?? Leave a comment below and get another entry into our #F2D15DayChallenge. 30 People will be winning Target Gift Cards!
Dont forget that you can also snap a pic of a clearance deal you have found in store and share it on YOUR Instagram page tagging @Freebies2Deals with the hashtags #F2D15DayChallenge and #Clearance. If you do that, you will get another entry into the Giveaway!
**More details over here,if you missed the first announcement.
Jo Ann
When you get Christmas Clearance candy, like M & M’s for example, you can separate the colors and use the red candy for Valentine’s and the green candy for St. Patrick’s Day. This is another way to be able to use the clearance items quickly.
Melanie
Feb 15th falls on a Sunday this year. Can’t shop on the Sabbath! Hopefully there’ll still be lots of good stuff on Monday!!
Julie
I have noticed that on clearance items. It seems to be harder and harder to get good deals but all your tips are helpful. Thanks!
Cristal
I agree with watching how much the clearance really is. I try to have a base price to compare to.
Crystal
Just the other day I was in Walmart’s clearance isle and found a glue gun that was marked down because the package was open and it was missing the glue sticks it should have came with. I put it in my cart and decided to see how much of a difference the clearance item was from an unopened glue gun with everything intact, you will never believe this but the opened glue gun was marked higher than the new package. At first I couldn’t believe it, I checked both packages closely just to make sure there were no differences and they were the SAME EXACT ITEM, and they were! The opened Glue Gun was in clearance and marked higher then a new one. BEWARE
Leigh
In that case, I would have taken both to the customer service desk. I then would have been very nice & asked if they could take a % off the opened package. If not, well, I’d say thank you anyway & still pass on the item.
At Kohl’s, there was a multi-pack of earrings on clearance. However, there were only three pairs of earrings. The price made them close to $2.00 each. I said that & asked for a % off. Translation: I got them practically for FREE. I also had a coupon. It never hurts to ask.
At Wal-Mart, I too saw some dry shampoo on clearance & compared the price to the shelf. Yep, same. It’s so weird!! At first, I thought someone else just laid it there but, when I saw multiple cans, either they hadn’t been marked down yet OR they had.
Kallie
I love shopping the day after a holiday for great markdowns!
Megan
I’ve seem the Walmart “pretend” clearance quite often with similar prices or higher like Crystal mentioned. Best advise is to make sure and review the before and after price like you suggest!
Momsy
I think outlet malls are just a ploy to get you there thinking you are getting a bargain. I can find better quality items at their regular stores for less money and am able to use a coupon. I would rather go to their regular store that is much closer than the outlet malls.
Michelle
Sometimes the clearance prices are actually more than the price of the item when it is on sale. I usually compare the clearance price to the “on sale” price especially for consumable items!
Staci
I buy Target Dollar Spot at 70% off items after Christmas (Christmas items technically but I focus on the wintery or gift looking items). I use lots of items for my 2 kids birthday parties in Jan and Feb. Party examples: Sledding, build a snowman party, cooking party, cookie decorating party, etc I also use some items for the party gift bags or teacher gifts for next year.
Karen
Knowing the approximate regular price of items helps you identify if the clearance price is really a good deal. Even if it is a good deal before you buy, stop and think what you already have and whether or not this item will really get used. Even if you get the item at a good price if it sits in the closet and does not get used, it was not a deal but instead a waste of money.
Monica Steele
I love buying baking items after Christmas! I found red and green frosting at Target on Christmas clearance (a week or 2 after Christmas) that I can use for this year’s Christmas cookie baking, since they don’t expire until 2016! I was thrilled with that find!
Leigh
I had the same experience w/ Walgreens’ Christmas candy!! It too had like a 2 year expiration date. : )
Laura C
I love finding the craft stuff on clearance. I wanted a wreath for Christmas, but couldn’t find one for less than $30. I found rolls of the material on clearance in red, white and green….SO much cheaper than normally priced!
Shawnee Burt
At Target, most of the clearance stickers will have a tiny number in the corner telling you what percentage it is off the regular price like 50 or 70, that way you know you are getting a good deal!
Maria
I loved buying things after Christmas, I usually get great prices …