How do you compare shop?

**akaivyleaf** · 01-26-2005, 10:03 AM

Re: How do you compare shop?

I would do all of my comparing of name brands/models on the internet. Make a list of the features you want, etc and then go shopping on line, for a model that fits with your needs. Then from there, I would call around, or search locally for the model you decide on, for price. Sometimes web prices and actual store prices vary so you might have to make a few phone calls. Or go window shopping.

Now if you have a particular place that you like to shop, after you've determined the lowest cost in your area its time to get down to brass tacks. For instance if you successfully conclude your search at Sears and you have a Sears charge, bargin for 0% interest for 90 or more days. Sear's price matches +an additional 10% advertised and purchased prices. I'm really frugal so take this advice with a grain of salt it might not be your cup of tea or maybe you can't swing it to do this but:

Using the Sears scenario again: Dishwasher is 199.00 at Best Buy, but you have a sears card and you want 0% interest for 90 days and you can pay it off in that time frame and Sears is charging 210.00 for the same model! The Best Buy price isn't advertised and they charge no restocking fee. Go buy the dishwasher at Best Buy.... take your receipt to Sears and buy it on the card at Sears. You'll end up getting it at sears for 179.10. Return the one to Best Buy. Matter of fact, don't even take it out of the Store. Tell Best Buy the truth when you return it, Sears beat your price by 10%, if you can beat sears by an additional 10% I'll keep yours. Sometimes they deal, other times they don't.

An additional word of caution. Now stores are getting picky, extremely picky about their returns so you might want to check out their restrictive return policies for restocking fees or anything that might prevent you from returning.

My last pricey purchases have been done in this manner and I've saved considerable money.

**kashi** · 01-26-2005, 11:29 AM

Re: How do you compare shop?

I normally do a ton of research on the internet, looking at different online stores, and also brick-and-mortar stores that have online sites. I also look in a few select stores around town to comparison shop. make sure you take shipping costs into consideration if you purchase online.

that's how I came up with the best deal on my kitchenaid mixer!

if you like dealing with people and bargaining for deals, calling around might be your best bet...but I hate that stuff, so the internet is my favorite method.

**akaivyleaf** · 01-26-2005, 12:08 PM

Re: How do you compare shop?

I used to hate bargining, but the worst somebody can say is "no" and I can take it. But with the economy the way it isn now, "No" doesn't come out of their mouths often and when I walk away with great savings I smile from ear to ear.

On the note about a Kitchenaid, I got the deal of the century about 2 years ago. Macy's mistakenly advertised a 199.00 mixer for 79.00 the day after thanksgiving. Well I went to one store WHEN THEY OPENED and they wouldn't honor their ad price. Plenty of mad women about... So I decided that if I drove out of my way a little bit to another Macy's they might honor the price. Sure enough, the next store did honor the price, but some women beat me to their limited selection. Oddly enough, this is when I found out that Sears not only honored competitors prices but gave the extra 10 percent. I was just hoping they would match, so I went to the opposite end of the mall to sears, and brought the mixer for 71.00. I brought 3. Sold 2 on e-bay. Made back my 71 dollars. The deal of the century I tell you!

**amomof4** · 01-27-2005, 02:32 PM

Re: How do you compare shop?

I have a girl friend who needed a new dishwasher. She had a certain brand & model in mind. She called every store to see if they had a floor model available or some minor dented one. She finally found one that fit her budget. The store was almost 200 miles away from her.

How do you compare shop?