what are you willing to pay retail for?

[a1970model]

Starbucks coffee (whole beans) @ Sam's Club

 

[Colleen27]

But I will never cut corners on bras and sneakers.

There are a lot of things I won't cut corners on but for most I know ahead of time that they will need replaced and can take the time to look for a sale or compare prices. My own shoes, for example - I wear the New Balance Minimus line for running as well as for casual/everyday wear when it isn't sandal weather. They retail for $110 and I did pay $99 for my first pair, from a brick and mortar shoe store where I was measured and able to try them on. But since then I haven't paid more than $50 for a replacement pair by shopping clearance racks and 6pm.com sales. I'm still wearing the same brand and style numbers but I'm not paying anywhere near full price for them.

 

[abmitch01]

I switched to Petsmart's Authority brand of pet food and the dogs seem to be doing well on it. The vet ok'd it.

 

[ellie05]

I think op needs to define what retail means to her. To me retail means something that is not on sale or have a coupon for. Even if I compare prices and find it cheaper somewhere else if it is not on sale or have a coupon I still consider it retail. Of course that if I go to a site like 6pm I don't consider retail either.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

My makeup. Most of it is from MAC from the MAC store or Macy's. It never goes on sale and I've never seen coupons for it. I don't buy drug store make up.

Some restaurants that don't offer coupons.

 

[abmitch01]

I've splurged on BareMinerals. But I'm getting sick of it. I already have my next choice bought with ECBs and coupons and on sale at CVS. But I do sometimes get lured in by free gifts with purchase at department stores.

I drive an inexpensive car, I drive around all day as a nurse and wanted something with good mileage. I had a Prius but got in an accident. I couldn't justify spending that kind of money again so I got a Hyundai Accent. It gets 39mpgs on the highway, close to the Prius. I buy new cars and drive them into the ground. I'm hesitant to buy used because I know nothing about cars.

 

[pineappletreat]

My makeup. Most of it is from MAC from the MAC store or Macy's. It never goes on sale and I've never seen coupons for it. I don't buy drug store make up.

Some restaurants that don't offer coupons.

I haven't bought MAC in a while (the little pots of eye shadow last FOREVER!), but do they still have the deal where when you return a certain number (6?) of the containers, you get a free product? There was something like that. I still have my mac eye shadow from before DS6 was born!

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I haven't bought MAC in a while (the little pots of eye shadow last FOREVER!), but do they still have the deal where when you return a certain number (6?) of the containers, you get a free product? There was something like that. I still have my mac eye shadow from before DS6 was born!

Yep! it's called "back to MAC". Only good for a free lipstick though.

I'm a fellow MAC addict

 

[disney212]

Hair stuff. I do try to buy products on sale but if I need it I won't buy the cheaper brand. I also won't get a cheaper hair cut. Been there done that and learned a hard lesson!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Yep! it's called "back to MAC". Only good for a free lipstick though. I'm a fellow MAC addict

I can get free eyeshadow here too. Lipstick or eyeshadow.

They used to let me get lipglass but they stopped that.

 

[NutcrackerPrincess]

ellie05: "I think op needs to define what retail means to her. To me retail means something that is not on sale or have a coupon for. Even if I compare prices and find it cheaper somewhere else if it is not on sale or have a coupon I still consider it retail. Of course that if I go to a site like 6pm I don't consider retail either."

Great point, Ellie05. Retail means "not on sale" to me, too. It is amazing the difference it makes just on grocery shopping. Most items have cyclical sales. I buy enough when it is on sale to last until the next time experience tells me it will be on sale. It works well.

This doesn't mean skimping to me. Buying the least processed version is often cheaper and healthier. For example, I buy oats to make oatmeal from scratch. It is cheaper and has no preservatives. Ditto for bread - though this is more for therapeutic value. I love baking and the smell of fresh bread is hard to beat.

I like organic cosmetics and don't buy toiletries that aren't explicitly cruelty-free. That is just being selective - I still get these things on sale or clearance.

My favourite sales are when the gourmet cheeses go on clearance at my local grocery store. Paying a few dollars a kilo for ripe cheese that was selling for $80 a kilo when not-yet-ripe is fantastic (and delicious!). I have never understood why people might pay more to let the cheese ripen in their own fridge! (I am in Australia.)

I agree that some things must be of high quality, but that doesn't mean not getting them on sale (i.e. cheese - above). Sports shoes and bras are one example of a must buy quality brands - but again, they go on sale/clearance.

Eggs are another exception I forgot before. I get mine from a local place where I can see the chickens running around doing chicken things - no cages on the property. I pay the asking price for those - but it is cheaper than the grocery store price, anyway, due to no middle man.

I wish we had coupons and bulk buy stores here in Australia. I also wish we had outlet stores like you do in the USA. The prices are AMAZING. I am also jealous of Joann's, Michael's, Disney Store, Amazon - okay, in full envy mode now.

 

[Judique]

I'll pay retail for Heinz ketchup. If we're out and there is no coupon or sale sometimes you have to just do it.

Lol...I was trying to think of something and this answer works!

 

[abmitch01]

I thought Amazon was everywhere!

 

[NutcrackerPrincess]

Aussies can order books and DVDs, at great shipping expense, but many, many categories cannot be shipped to Australia. It works out not to be worth it once the exorbitant shipping is taken into consideration. What you save on the book price you pay in the shipping fee. The only time it is possibly worth it is when the title is not available in Australia. We pay more for most consumer good in Australia - we get particularly narked about paying more for things like software and itunes that are downloadable when there is no earthly reason for it to cost more.

 

[momtosam]

Lol, the first thing that came to mind is Noxema. I am unhappy when I try anything else. Fancy, huh?

 

[mrsp1030]

As one that has struggled with skin issues, I will pay retail for my skin care regime products as they are never on sale. A combo of aveda, philosophy, ole henrikson and bobbi brown

 

[mikehn]

Im willing to pay top dollar to vacation during peak season, simply because those are the times when school is out.

 

[garnetandblack]

I only wear Clinique make up but I also only buy it during bonus time - so I don't pay retail on that. I am also picky about lotion, hair products and deodorant but I stock up on it when it is on sale or I happen to find a coupon.

Grocery staples like milk, eggs, butter - but I buy all of my produce in season and stock up on meat when it's on sale.

My Dad is one of the cheapest people you will ever meet and I doubt he has ever paid retail for anything in his life. I am the only child out of 6 that looks for a bargain but I do like nice things and stay away from anything that is cheap quality. I just always make sure I find a great deal and if I can't I don't buy it.

I am a SAHM and we sacrifice a lot to allow that. We are able to do a lot more with our money because of the way I budget it. We also eat very healthy and I cook everything from scratch - I refuse to eat junk because it's cheaper.

 

[NutcrackerPrincess]

Grocery staples like milk, eggs, butter - but I buy all of my produce in season and stock up on meat when it's on sale.

I do like nice things and stay away from anything that is cheap quality. I just always make sure I find a great deal and if I can't I don't buy it.

I am a SAHM and we sacrifice a lot to allow that. We are able to do a lot more with our money because of the way I budget it. We also eat very healthy and I cook everything from scratch - I refuse to eat junk because it's cheaper.

This +1!

 

[Jack&Ryan'smom]

As one that has struggled with skin issues, I will pay retail for my skin care regime products as they are never on sale. A combo of aveda, philosophy, ole henrikson and bobbi brown

I love Philosophy as well. Shop from their site directly and you can get discounts almost always! I never pay full price. I go through Ebates as well to get 2% back.