20 Money-Saving Tricks Shops Don’t Want You to Know

Bargain hunting isn’t as straightforward as simply looking for signs that say “SALE”. Knowing how shops work and what their secrets are will help you find great deals in the most unexpected ways. With these 20 tricks shops don’t want you to know, you can save money and still get a lot of bang for your buck. /money/photos/tricks-to-save-money-shopping/ 18684

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Abandon your cart

According to Cracked.com, you can get discounts if you shop online and abandon your cart. The trick is to go through the checkout process and then close the tab just before you finalize the transaction. Most retailers will email you a promotional coupon to lure you back.

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Use typos on eBay

Cracked.com says that one way to get bargains on eBay is to deliberately misspell products’ names. For example, search for Noika instead of Nokia. Items that are listed with typos in their names will have fewer competitive bidders. Remember that you can also sell your valuable things on eBay for extra cash.

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Look for the hidden codes

The website Money Saving Expert says that when staff prepare for sales, they often scribble codes on the price tags to identify the items that will go on sale. When you see these, hold off on your purchase for a while because you might get it on sale within a week or so. Alternatively, get a job at the store so you not only have insider info on sales but also get great discounts.

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“On sale” isn’t always cheaper

According to Time, some retailers increase the original price of items before they go on sale, so their profit margins can stay intact. They may even double the price and then tell you that the item is 50 per cent off, so the "sale" price is actually the same as what the item used to cost. Beware of this trick especially when the shop has a big sale on.

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Know what you’re buying at outlet stores

Time says that many of the items in outlet stores have never even seen the inside of the name-brand version of the store. Merchandise is often made specifically for outlet stores and can be of poorer quality. You might as well shop at the name-brand store, as long as you can resist the temptation to buy a ridiculously expensive dress.

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Watch the staff

Money Saving Expert says that when retail staff start rearranging items in the shop, this often means that they’re preparing for a sale. When you see them moving things around, wait a bit before you purchase anything.

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Value packs aren’t always value

According to Time, those value packs that big retailers sell aren’t always value. Sometimes it’s cheaper to buy the items separately. Bring a calculator when you shop so you can work out the per-unit price of things and see where the better deal is. After all, you’ll never retire at 50 if you keep spending more than you should.

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Look for prices ending in 7, 8 or 1

According to Money Saving Expert, shops selling electronics often use prices as a secret code to tell their staff which items are clearance stock. When prices end in 7, 8 or 1 rather than the more common 9, 0 or 5 you may have the perfect bargaining opportunity.

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Buy brand-name clothes in their country of origin

Goods like food and wine are usually cheaper in their country of origin and this goes for brand-name clothes too. Money Saving Expert uses the example of Zara, which is much cheaper in its native Spain than elsewhere. What better excuse do you need for proudly buying Canada’s most successful brands?

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Haggle through live chat

Money Saving Expert says that you can get discounts on some shopping sites if you go to the help window and use live chat to haggle. You’ll have more success if you first ask some questions about the product and then ask for a discount.

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You can get a discount simply by asking

Unless you have one of those jobs that pay over $200,000 a year, a discount here and there can make a huge difference to your budget. According to Money Saving Expert, some shops have it built into their policies that if you ask for a discount, they’ll automatically give you 10 per cent off. Of course you won’t be successful everywhere but you’ll never know unless you ask.

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Ask for a price match

A trick from GOBankingRates is to look for shops that offer price-match guarantees. Then look online for the item you want to buy and if you can find it at a lower price elsewhere, go to the shop’s service desk and show them the lower price. You’ll get a discount and save on shipping costs to boot.

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Check the mirror

Some stores use lighting and distorted mirrors in their dressing rooms to flatter you, so when you’re trying on clothes, check your reflection in a mirror on the sales floor too. Also make sure you can return items for a full refund.

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Know when the bargain days are

According to GOBankingRates, shops have their own sales schedules. If you regularly shop at a certain store, make a note of the days on which you find more items on sale and you’ll soon learn their sales schedule. Shopping on bargain days will soon become one of the frugal habits that could make you a millionaire.

Store shelves pricier items on the right side of the store

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Keep left

GOBankingRates says that many shops place the pricier items on the right side of the store and may also use brighter lights and louder music to lure you to that area. If you want to avoid temptation, keep to the left of the store. This will help you stay within your budget: one of the most important tips for getting rich.

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Avoid the deli counter

Saving on your grocery bill is one way to help save $1,000 each month. According to Cracked.com, items displayed at the deli counter are often more expensive. If you want to buy cheese, for instance, go to the dairy section and you may find the exact same cheese there at a lower price than at the deli counter.

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Know when to shop

Realtor.com says the best times to shop at an actual store and find good deals or discounts are in September, October and January, the end of the month, holiday weekends – but beware of holiday overspending – and off-season. For online shopping, the best times are November, Thursdays, the fourth or fifth day of the month and at 3PM.

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Buy white

According to Realtor.com, white appliances are less popular than black, stainless steel or trendy colours. This means that they are often also much cheaper.

You may also like: 14 ways you're destroying your appliances.

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Look in the back of the store

When you’re buying furniture, look in the back of the store and in corners. This is where you’ll find floor models or pieces with tiny imperfections at bargain prices. Some of the world’s thriftiest billionaires have been known to buy flawed items at discount prices.

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Look at the back of the shelf

Grocery stores usually place new stock at the back of the shelf, behind the older stock. This not only means that the items at the back of the shelf are usually fresher but also that they may be cheaper, as prices fluctuate. Remember too that for some items, it’s better to buy at the dollar store.