How many times have you gone into a grocery store or retail shop only to be bombarded by signs that scream “Sale!”? You run over to the item, see a sale price and scoop it. Then you are on your merry way to the checkout lane and inside reveling that you’ve just gotten a great deal.
Congratulations. You just fell for the oldest retailer trick in the book. Don’t feel bad though. Millions of people just like you, myself included, fall for the same trick every day. What is the trick you ask? Using visuals and attention grabbing marketing materials to make you think that a sale is truly a sale.
Retailers have a regular habit of using sale marketing to make you think you’re getting an item for a lower price than you normally would. The reality is that you’re either not saving at all or you’re not saving as much as you think you are. It can be quite hard to look past the bright signs and sales ads to see the real cost of the item and your local grocery store relies on that to make their money. For some stores they may use a “buy x items and get it for this price,” Others, most times, just advertise the “sale” by itself.
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So how are you supposed to keep yourself from falling from this trick? The answer might be easier than you think.
Know your prices.
Whether you just make a price list or use a complete price book, knowing what a normal price is per item will allow you to know when the sale price is a true sale price or just a marketing tactic. You’ll want to keep track of the items name, regular price and price per unit. When a sale is advertised, you’ll be able to look at your book or list and determine whether you want to grab the items or not.
Knowing how to spot the sale trick is a surefire way to lower your grocery bill. Eventually, you’ll be able to spot the true cost right away which will not only save you money, but will also save you time spent shopping as well.
I fell for this tactic time and time again until I started paying attention to my shopping. Now, I scrutinize flyers and big bright ads and am getting much better at spotting a real deal vs. smoke and mirrors.
Check out my other posts about couponing and saving money: 17 ways to save money on groceries, how to price match with flyers, 20 ways to save money on electricity.
How are you at spotting a “real” sale?
Laurie P says
check out flyers, even online flyers for different stores beforehand is a must….
James Robert says
I think I have learned over time not to jump without checking things out first. I use to be real guilty, not as much anymore
Victor Goguen says
One of the local grocery stores (you may recognize it with the big green lettering for the name) has a BOGO (buy one get one free) sale around every eight weeks. While there are some items that are a great buy, most of the sale items have had their regular prices almost doubled. Yes, you need to know what the regular every day prices are, as some sales are not really that great.
Debbie W says
I always say, “Know your prices”
mrdisco says
i never get distracted by sale signs. i always research before buying anything.
M.Clark says
I am able to spot “real” sales by knowing my prices, As you stated, you need to know the actual retail price of an item (just like on “The Price is Right”)before you can recognize a sale item with any accuracy.
Debbie Bashford says
I have to agree with most here, know the prices .
Judy Cowan says
You definitely do need to know your prices and stop to think whether or not it is a good deal before you jump to grab it.
Susan says
I read the flyers every week to look for specials. You are right — knowing prices is a big help. Now with packaging sizes changing I would add that you need to know your unit sizes AND prices.