Tiffany Raiford
Stores are dirty liars. We love them, and we seem to be all right with that; but it doesn’t change the fact that they are not entirely honest with the average consumer. Stores want to turn a profit, and that means they’re not usually up to advertising the many ways in which you can save money and not spend an arm and a leg when it comes to doing your everyday shopping. It took me a while to figure this out myself, and then I did some research. You see, I love Old Navy for my kids clothing. For one, my 5-year-old can look at a new outfit and it will immediately become stained to oblivion and acquire about three holes in the knees, some marker stains and definite strawberry stains on the front; by looking at it.
Old Navy clothes are so cheap, I find that I don’t care if she messes them up before we even give them to her. However, I noticed a bit of trickery recently. I purchased her a few pair of leggings, some shorts and some shirts. I paid around $50 for the purchase, earned some Super Cash and then went to use the Super Cash this week now that it’s available. When I looked at the shorts I bought her a few weeks ago to get them in a few more colors because she loves them, I noticed that the price I paid (which was listed as the original price for the shorts a few weeks ago) was not there. I paid $15 full price for the shorts. Now that you can use Super Cash, full price is listed at $25 each pair. After looking at the other items I previously purchased for full price, I realized they were ALL marked up between $6 – $10 to a much higher “Full Price,” and I was shocked.
That’s not saving. I’m now paying MORE for the same items I bought a few weeks ago just to use my Super Cash. Not cool, Old Navy. After doing some research, I realized that retailers lie to us all the time, and I thought I’d share with you what they’re doing to keep the truth from all of us.
Shelf Placement
Did you know that stores very strategically place items throughout the area so that they can go the extra mile to see you pay for the most expensive items? If you want to avoid that, go ahead and look up or down. For example, you’re in the cracker aisle and want to some delicious crackers to snack on. You see them at eye level, pick the type you want and go on your way. No problem there, right? Wrong; you just paid far more than you should have for crackers because the less expensive ones are closer to the floor and the top of the shelf. That store literally put the most expensive crackers right in front of your face to make it more likely you’ll grab those.
End caps
This is a display area, and it’s a trick that many stores use. Did you know that many people buy items on the end cap of a supermarket because they are tricked into assuming it’s on sale or that it’s a good deal? It’s not, it’s just a little bit prettier, a little bit more noticeable and not always a better deal. However, stores know that consumers are more likely to pick something up from an end cap because they think it’s on sale. Just steer clear.
Purchase limit lies
When you see an item in the supermarket or in a flyer that says, “Limit 2 per customer,” you assume that it must be such a good deal that they have to stop people from taking all of them home. The real honest truth is that this fancy limit is just there to make you assume that. Ignore it, and you’ll save a lot of money in the first place.
BOGOs
We all love a BOGO deal. I know I do. However, stores often choose items to place in this sale so that you will take home more than you need and end up spending more because prices aren’t entirely accurate. Some stores will raise the price so you pay more. Other stores won’t raise the price, but they will offer a buy one, get one so that you buy the item even if you didn’t need it. Do you love Goldfish crackers? They’re often buy one get one in my local store, and my mom picks them up every single time. They don’t even eat the crackers, but she thinks it’s a deal. She could have saved $2 by not buying them in the first place. We buy them all the time because our kids love them, so it’s savings for us. If you see Ranch dressing on sale BOGO, make sure you actually need ranch dressing or it’s just a waste of money.
Photo by Getty Images
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