I'm not really an "online" guy and prefer to shop in brick-and-mortar stores, especially with so much holiday shopping coming up. Any ideas for those companies that will help save me some money? – Thomas Thrifty
Dear Mr. Thrifty: Kudos to you for trying to be consumer savvy. Even with Internet shopping sales beating out many major chains, we've got plenty of the latter from which to choose, especially if customers like to "sniff and lick," as my sister-in-law is inclined to do. Take a look at the following, compliments of Woman's Day and Rather-Be-Shopping.com. Afterwards, reward yourself with something special after all your savings mount up.
Shop on Amazon but pay at Target. Huh, you say? Check out online behemoth Amazon to find your gifts, but then march on over to Target - one of the few chains that'll price-match the online retailer. As an aside, if you purchase items at Sam's Club, Costco, Babies (or Toys) R Us, and Best Buy, among others, you'll receive the same savings that you would at Amazon. Just be sure the item is in stock and is the identically same one. (To determine the exact matching criteria, check online.)
Ellen Phillips Kohl's sales can go low and lower. While red equates the regular clearance price - often a nice deal itself - yellow tags are the final and lowest sale price. Moreover, check a Kohl's Kiosk to buy an out-of-stock item using in-store coupons or cash rewards; most items arrive at the customer's home with free standard shipping.
Make friends with Walmart store managers. Many consumers aren't aware that local managers have lots of discretion on sale items. Introduce yourself and make a point to speak to him or her by way of re-introduction whenever you visit the store. Once your face is familiar, Mr. Manager will be much more apt to hand you a price rollback, for example, even if the sale ended the day before. Another way to save money is to crack their price code. A price ending with a 7 is typically the original price. Examples include $2.97 or $5.57. Know that you're paying full price if you see a price ending in 7. Prices ending with a 5 are the 1st markdown price. Examples include $3.25 or $19.95. This price is better than the above obviously, but not the cheapest the item may potentially go. The price ending with a 1 is the FINAL markdown price with examples including $4.91 or $57.01. This is the holy grail at Walmart and is the cheapest price the item will go.
Use the Walmart Savings Catcher app. Always scan the items you want; if the "Catcher" finds a cheaper local price for any article you bought, Walmart gives a credit for the difference.
Wine drinkers and hostess gift takers, drive on over to Costco. Not only can we find worlds of savings on everything from toilet tissue to cheeses, but the chain's wine selection is outstanding, especially the Kirkland's (store) brand. One illustration shows their Kirkland Chateauneuf-du-Pape red wine that sells for about $20. Wine that tastes this delicious and pairs so beautifully with food often sells for twice this amount elsewhere. Pour it into Great Grandmother Florence's crystal decanter and serve it, accompanied by cries of bliss once your guests taste the first drop.
And, finally, don't forget the many stores/companies that offer a 10 percent dicount on any given item. Those of us over 55 also appreciate the senior discount offered by most all stores on a certain day of the week, as do members of the military (past and present) who gain a discount simply by showing their ID card.
Contact Ellen Phillips at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com