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Want Cheaper Clothes? Just Ask!
08/05/08 1:34 PM
How to talk your way into discounts at your fave stores.
Listen up, smooth talkers. Your mission, should you choose to accept it: Go to the mall. Strut into your favorite store. And gab your way to discount city. Think it's mission impossible? We've got deets on how to haggle your way to better prices -- no coupons needed!
Their loss is your gain: Okay, time for a little boring market talk. This winter, retail stores didn't do so hot when it comes to making moola. The good news for you? You've got more power when you shop. Read on to learn how to put that power to good use.
Different store, different strategy: When you haggle about prices, you've got to make sure you're using the best tactic. Stores like Target are more likely to give you a discount if you show them that a competitor is selling the same product for less. (Just check websites to compare prices.) If you know you saw that same shirt somewhere else for $15 less, tell a manager. Chances are, they've got a policy to match that price. And at places like Gap, it's best to point out how long an item has been on the rack. For instance, if that cute cardigan's been on the shelf since late spring, tell them you noticed and ask for a markdown since it's out of season.
Timing is everything: Let's face it. Salesgirls get a little cranky when you waltz into the store an hour before closing. Instead, show up at stores on a weekday morning. If they're less busy -- and they haven't already had to deal with a million customer complaints -- you're more likely to get them to agree to discounts.
Look for little defects: If you notice that there's a small stain on the hem of a skirt, or if a top is missing a non-crucial button, grab it and tell the salesgirl it's the last one on the shelf in the color and size you want. Then ask for a discount of 10 or 15 percent. If she says she can't give discounts, ask to see the manager. If she offers you 10 percent off, say it'll cost you money to fix it (a little white lie, seeing as how that stain will wash right out) and ask her if she can knock a smidge more off the price.
The best part: The worst that can happen is they can say no, so don't be fazed by mild rejection. If you complete strike out, you can always hightail it out of that store and hit up the food court for one of those monster cookies.
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Comments (12) | Post a comment now »
I always just fine some thing i like and it would be the last one in my size. Then i would fine a rip or small stain. I would just buy it at full price. But one day the lady a the fitting room hard my say it had a rip and there were no more in my size. I was tried of this always happen to me i put it back and she stop me and told me to go talk to the manger see if they would take some off. they did. i thank her. Know if it happen i always ask.
I went shopping with my mom (im 11 years young) and bought some capris that came with a belt. The belt was missing a rhine stone, but the cashier person insisted on getting another belt even though there were no other ones in my size. My belt is kind of useless because its too big.
♥I think DD's discounts is a good discount store i bought a stylish dress for under $20!!♥
omg!kool.i just hope it works cause i dont want to be gettin any no's.Imma tell my sister bout this and when i do we r definately goin',....... "shopping!!!!!".luv u lexa
Wow, I have a lot of spelling errors. I should probably use spell check. Hah! Anyways, its the comment on the bottom, and "how" not "who" hehe.
Hey Caroline(comment on top, i'm not sure who you can reply to a comment? Maybe you should work on that Tyra), at least you get an allowance! When I was 13 I got 5 bucks for cleaning the WHOLE house. Sad huh? =p
OMG! my mom does that aaaaall the time. my aunts always make fun of her because she will have a nice bag or something, and they'll say "oh but you probrably got that for 300 dollar bag for 10 bucks" haha
i used to be embarresed because we would hold up the line. untill she started doing it to get MY clothes
Even though I am 12 my birthday is coming up in 2 months so I am close to 13 I think this is a perfect way to bargin! Especialy when your allowance is $15 bucks a month! :(
I do that sometimes but i always feel bad, i mean whoever designed thouse cloths need the money 2 and i always feel like im taking away more then i should and it alyways seems like the sales lady is getting mad so i usually go straight to clearence.
LOL
Can't wait to use this next time I'm at the mall. I always look for missing buttons anyways because they always let you pay less for that
hi
iam 13 but i do this thing alooot when my dad give me the mony but when iam whith my dad i dont do it at all hehehe
LOL
i might be a boy, but i seem to do that all the time.
hey, boys can save money too!