How to save money on clothing
Years of part time work in the clothing retail sector have made it difficult for me to pay full price for clothing (the 50% discount helps with this affliction) but when I have to buy something from another store, you can bet I hunt for bargains too! In retail clothing, everything eventually goes on sale: the question is will your size still be available at this time. In the meantime, the following tips will save you money when buying your clothing:
Visit your favourite stores regularly
You don’t want to become known as the creepy customer who haunts the store, but visiting every two to three weeks is appropriate. Two reasons to do this are you never know when a last minute sale will come along and you may see something you’ve had your eye on for a while on sale, unexpectedly. Also, if you visit the store regularly and build a rapport with the sales associates, and let him or her know that you’re waiting for an item to go on sale, the associate may be able to give you some inside information on what sales are coming up!
Ask about a preferred customer program
Sales associates are encouraged to talk up such programs with you, but sometimes they forget. For a small fee or for free, you provide your contact information to the store and receive coupons in the mail or by e-mail, and receive phone calls alerting you of last minute sales or sales of short duration (weekend only).
Buy at the end of the season
This is a tip that more people need to consider: at the end of the season, clothing is sometimes up to 60% off the regular price, and if you’re lucky you can even get more of a deal. Try to stick to basic colours and cuts of clothing when stocking up: that lime green tank top may not be in style by next summer, but you’ll be sure to find classic items that can be worn year after year. Buy earlier, and stock up for next year, where you won’t mind buy a few more trendy pieces at regular price.
Gift with purchase
This may not save you money on an item but you will end up getting more for your money! At the beginning of a new season, stores often want to encourage customers to stop buying clothing from the season that is just ending, and draw their attention to new stock. To entice a customer to spend his cash on the new merchandise that is still at regular price, stores will offer a free item with the purchase of a non-sale item. I have seen stores give away purses, umbrellas, tote bags, scarves and belts.
Money with purchase
Strongly related to the last point, instead of giving you a free item with your purchase, you may be given percentage discount, or a dollar discount too for spending over a certain amount.
Buy in bulk
With Payless ShoeSource’s BOGO (buy one get one) event, many stores have begun to offer a second or third item (of equal or lesser value) at a reduced price or free with the purchase of an item at regular price. The only danger with this approach to saving money is that if you only wanted one item, you may end up with two or three and end up spending more than if you had only bought the one item you actually needed! Therefore, save this tip for when you have multiple items to buy!
Keep your receipt
Let’s say you bought something at regular price because you simply had to have it and could not wait. No matter: keep a more vigilant eye on the store from where you bought it, and visit the store every week. If the item goes on sale in a short time, usually within two weeks, you can bring in your receipt and get a price adjustment on the item. This has the double effect of ensuring that you had the item when you wanted or needed it, and you get some extra cash in your pocket, which is always welcome.
And finally,
Do not enter a store unless you see a ’sale’ sign
While this doesn’t guarantee that you will emerge victorious, what better way to increase your chances of walking out of the store with a sale item?
Happy shopping!
clothing, shopping, save money on clothes, discount, BOGO,
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