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You could save 26 percent on groceries and get rock-bottom deals on many other items at warehouse clubs, such as Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s. These stores keep their costs low by selling in bulk, running a no-frills store, hiring less staff, and not advertising as heavily as their competitors. They pass the savings along to you. Often, they sell appliances, office supplies, even electronics in addition to groceries.
Unfortunately, they have disadvantages, too.
* Most membership clubs do not accept coupons, offer weekly specials, or sell generic brands. You may do better doubling coupons, checking grocery ads, or buying generic from your local grocer.
* They sell in bulk, which can yield great buys, but 5 lbs, of butter at 30 percent off is no bargain if it goes bad before you use it.
* They may not tell you the unit price, such as the cost of shampoo per ounce, like grocery stores do. That makes it hard to comparison shop. Check unit prices at other stores before you go to a warehouse club, then bring a calculator and do your own math.
* Their low prices can tempt you to buy things you don’t need. Shop with a list and stick to it, and only carry cash to limit your spending.
* They offer lots of different products, but little brand variety. For instance, you might find 10 brands of spaghetti sauce at grocery store and only two at a warehouse club. Decide if you want better prices or more choices.
* They rotate their stock, so the brand you like may not be there next time you go.
* Some only accept one kind of credit card but offer their own as an alternative – at exorbitant interest rates. Sign up for one, and they may also sell your personal information.
* They charge an annual membership fee, usually between $25 and $40 dollars. Some give guests one-day passes, as often as you want, to shop there, but tack on a 5-percent surcharge at the register. Still, if you spend less than $500 to $800 dollars a year there, you are better off getting a guest pass than buying a membership.
Some clubs offer free trial memberships, up to 60 days. Call and ask about this policy then test the place out before you join.
All the best,
Timben
Showing posts with label Baby Goods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baby Goods. Show all posts
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Superstores not so super
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Giant specialty retailers, like Babies “R” Us, Toys “R” Us, even PetSmart and others, are neither discount stores not outlets. They are large, specialized department stores. In general, they don’t offer cut-rate merchandise. Instead, they offer a better variety than you’ll find at most other stores, but with bare-bones service. It’s a trade-off – more choices, less service, and few discounts.
All the best,
Timben
Giant specialty retailers, like Babies “R” Us, Toys “R” Us, even PetSmart and others, are neither discount stores not outlets. They are large, specialized department stores. In general, they don’t offer cut-rate merchandise. Instead, they offer a better variety than you’ll find at most other stores, but with bare-bones service. It’s a trade-off – more choices, less service, and few discounts.
All the best,
Timben
Safety checklist for used items
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Classified ads, thrift stores, and yard sales can be the best places to pick up inexpensive baby gear and furniture. But for safety’s sake, make sure the items passes these tests before you take it home:
* Is the construction still sound? Check for broken pieces, loose joints, and splinters.
* Do all the parts work properly? You don’t want a stroller to collapse with your child in it, or the car seat to come loose in an auto accident.
* Is it clean? In other words, would you let your child chew on it? Some items can be easily cleaned, others not. If not, don’t buy it.
* Could a child hurt herself with it? The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns some seemingly innocent items could kill children. A crib should have a firm, tight-fitting mattress and slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart so a baby’s head cannot squeeze through item.
Has it been recalled? Find out by calling the CPSC toll-free at 800-638-2772 or visiting their web site at www.CPSC.gov.
All the best,
Timben
Classified ads, thrift stores, and yard sales can be the best places to pick up inexpensive baby gear and furniture. But for safety’s sake, make sure the items passes these tests before you take it home:
* Is the construction still sound? Check for broken pieces, loose joints, and splinters.
* Do all the parts work properly? You don’t want a stroller to collapse with your child in it, or the car seat to come loose in an auto accident.
* Is it clean? In other words, would you let your child chew on it? Some items can be easily cleaned, others not. If not, don’t buy it.
* Could a child hurt herself with it? The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns some seemingly innocent items could kill children. A crib should have a firm, tight-fitting mattress and slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart so a baby’s head cannot squeeze through item.
Has it been recalled? Find out by calling the CPSC toll-free at 800-638-2772 or visiting their web site at www.CPSC.gov.
All the best,
Timben
10 clever ways to save at yard sales
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* Make a list of things you need to buy over the next several months, then stick to it. Items you don’t really need will just clutter your house.
* Start early or go late. You’ll find the best variety first thing in the morning, especially in furniture and appliances, but you’ll snag the best deals at the end of the day when weary sellers are ready to bargain.
* Look for lifetime guarantees. No garage seller will guarantee their goods, but some companies will. Tupperware, Farberware, Chicago Cutlery, and Craftsman tools all carry lifetime guarantees backed by their manufacturers. So go ahead and buy the cracked Tupperware or rusted Craftsman wrench and call a dealer to exchange it.
* Ask for items you don’t see. Need a baby stroller? Ask the seller if they have one. They may have forgotten to put it out, or another customer might tell you where you can find one.
* Think creatively. Buy items for their parts – cut rate clothes for their nice buttons, lamps for their shades, and so forth.
* Don’t waste time at high-priced sales. You only want bargains. Some people are out to make money, not get rid of stuff, and they’ll refuse to negotiate.
* Make sure it works. Ask the seller if you can plug in an item, or if they have batteries to test it. If they say no, don’t buy it. It might be broken.
* Check all clothes for stains, buttons snaps, and working zippers. If you can’t tell whether a stain will wash out or not, it’s best not to buy.
* Always come prepared with coins and plenty of cash in small bills. Carry it in a pouch around your waste rather then purse you might set down and forget
* Ask for lower price if you don’t want to pay what a seller wants. The worst they can say is “no”.
All the best,
Timben
* Make a list of things you need to buy over the next several months, then stick to it. Items you don’t really need will just clutter your house.
* Start early or go late. You’ll find the best variety first thing in the morning, especially in furniture and appliances, but you’ll snag the best deals at the end of the day when weary sellers are ready to bargain.
* Look for lifetime guarantees. No garage seller will guarantee their goods, but some companies will. Tupperware, Farberware, Chicago Cutlery, and Craftsman tools all carry lifetime guarantees backed by their manufacturers. So go ahead and buy the cracked Tupperware or rusted Craftsman wrench and call a dealer to exchange it.
* Ask for items you don’t see. Need a baby stroller? Ask the seller if they have one. They may have forgotten to put it out, or another customer might tell you where you can find one.
* Think creatively. Buy items for their parts – cut rate clothes for their nice buttons, lamps for their shades, and so forth.
* Don’t waste time at high-priced sales. You only want bargains. Some people are out to make money, not get rid of stuff, and they’ll refuse to negotiate.
* Make sure it works. Ask the seller if you can plug in an item, or if they have batteries to test it. If they say no, don’t buy it. It might be broken.
* Check all clothes for stains, buttons snaps, and working zippers. If you can’t tell whether a stain will wash out or not, it’s best not to buy.
* Always come prepared with coins and plenty of cash in small bills. Carry it in a pouch around your waste rather then purse you might set down and forget
* Ask for lower price if you don’t want to pay what a seller wants. The worst they can say is “no”.
All the best,
Timben
5 secrets of the best bargain hunters
.
From clothes to a playpen, you can get virtually everything you need for free or darn close to it.
* Stop by garage sales. You could snag fantastic deals, especially if you offer to take an entire bag or box of baby things off their hands.
* Create a network of people who know your needs. A quick phone call or e-mail is a great opportunity to let friends, neighbors, and family members know you’re looking for baby bargains. Tell them specifically what you need, and ask them to keep an eye out for hand-me-downs and other good deals.
* Plan a swap meet. Churches, preschools, and community clubs are great places to meet and organize swaps with people who have baby items. Make it a swap party. You could even decide in advance what each person will bring, and link them up with someone who needs the same thing.
* Look for public bulletin boards in your grocery stores, pediatrician’s office, church, and school. Here you may find parents trying to sell or give away their baby items. You can also post an ad of your own, asking specifically for the things you need. Be sure to ask the organization or company about their policy for posting “want” ads.
* Offer a trade with the people you know. Barter for their goods with something you know they need – a service like babysitting, cooking a meal, or even an item you own but no longer need. It’s a great, cheap way to help each other out.
All the best,
Timben
From clothes to a playpen, you can get virtually everything you need for free or darn close to it.
* Stop by garage sales. You could snag fantastic deals, especially if you offer to take an entire bag or box of baby things off their hands.
* Create a network of people who know your needs. A quick phone call or e-mail is a great opportunity to let friends, neighbors, and family members know you’re looking for baby bargains. Tell them specifically what you need, and ask them to keep an eye out for hand-me-downs and other good deals.
* Plan a swap meet. Churches, preschools, and community clubs are great places to meet and organize swaps with people who have baby items. Make it a swap party. You could even decide in advance what each person will bring, and link them up with someone who needs the same thing.
* Look for public bulletin boards in your grocery stores, pediatrician’s office, church, and school. Here you may find parents trying to sell or give away their baby items. You can also post an ad of your own, asking specifically for the things you need. Be sure to ask the organization or company about their policy for posting “want” ads.
* Offer a trade with the people you know. Barter for their goods with something you know they need – a service like babysitting, cooking a meal, or even an item you own but no longer need. It’s a great, cheap way to help each other out.
All the best,
Timben
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