Who thinks the retail deals over the last 2 yrs are getting to be be to good?

[Evi]

I know I keep hearing everyone complain about how expensive things are and how bad the economy is. But truth be told the finds that have come out over the last 2-3 years are rediculous. Considering the Hp tablet firesale it just makes me think of the stuff I've gotten in the last year. I'm also finding manufacturers have basicly stopped offering repair and offering really low cost replacements on upgrades to newer versions of previous items. For axample our bose 3.2.1 started having problems and they offered us a brand new system with full warrenty of the current model for 379.00 this isn't the lower end model made for bjs and the like but the current model that goes for 995. I know I'm paying a little more then to fix it but when you consider we've had our system for 15 years I think its a great deal.

I purchased my dishwasher with a combination of a group on discount that cost me 100$ for 250$ off at a local retailer + manufacturer discount of $100 and a store rebate for $50 gift card at I purchased a model that was put on sale and in the end I got a $750 dishwasher for $250. DF picked it up and installed it himself saving us on delivery and setup charges.

reuplostered sofa cushions for $250 from ethan allen with a $100 groupon for $300 worth of product.

I've also gotten rediculous deals on a new 3dtv, Mattress, Harmony remote, renovations on our home. I just keep seeing the deals out there. Now don't get me wrong sometimes things are way out of our range and I'd have to say no I can't afford that but my bff got a 130k mercedes for 90k after talking them down and it was new model on the floor with only 10miles on it. So I do think deals are to be had in any budget and it all comes down to researching before you buy and sometimes being willing to buy used, refurbished, online or floor models etc. In the day of groupons and the like I really think its hard to complain that nothing is affordable.

I do think jobs are hard to find but you'de be supprised if one is willing to relook at there expectations those can be found also. I speak comming from an IT background and knowing that the inflated pay scale of 10 or so years ago has been greatly adgusted but that doesn't mean that jobs aren't out there it just meant I had to be more flexible, retrain and willing to give a little on my end also.

Just some thoughts. Anyone have any rediculous deals they've gotten over the last year that they want to share or stratagies they've used to get better pricing on something.

 

[furb & dez]

Retailers are slitting their own throats by relentlessly offering sales. People today won't purchase anything if it's not "on sale." Coupon usage has likewise gotten completely out of hand.

They are only making the recession worse. I can easily see us teetering into a full-blown depression if manufacturers and retailers don't knock it off. But then again, these people are permanently short-sighted and won't see it coming until they are in bankruptcy.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Try explaining that theory to the millions of unemployed struggling to survive on $300 a week with food and fuel costs skyrocketing, every utility on the planet raising rates by double digits, and no end in sight.

Non essential goods, like BMW's, are going to come down in price because there aren't that many people around that can afford them. Things like the HP Pad were gathering dust until they were made affordable. People are making clothes last longer, adding 10,000 additional miles to their 60,000 mile tires whether it's safe or not, and using coupons for anything they can find a coupon for.

We feel blessed everyday to have a comfortable life during these tough times. Any time I think otherwise all I have to do is get off any interstate exit and see someone unfortunate begging for food and money.

 

[Evi]

I do understand that there will always be people who are unable to buy everything and are just making it. But my point was not that the economy is fabulous and everyone is making great money. I am sorry if I offended someone by pointing out that there are great deals to be had.

I'm not here to lecture anyone whos trying to budget 300 dollars. I don't think my post said anything of the sort. But I will add it hurts no one to share how they have been getting deals in this economy. It hurts no one to learn how to be a better bargain shopper.

Perhaps give the thread a chance before you jump the gun and start knocking it.

I can add I do use coupons and some people think this is killing our economy but its not what kills our economy. Greedy big buisness sending everything overseas for production and labor and people not buying local and made in USA is what kills our economy. Your average joe doesn't bother to look at where there items are manufactured and don't care where something comes from. Blame those who just want the bottom dollar now and don't care about quality. Thats not what I'm advocating here.

I buy local foods I rarely buy anything prepackaged or grown outside of the state if I can help it. I also have my own garden and buy local csa and dairy and meat. In doing so I'm supporting my local farmers my local economy and ensuring my family eats the freshest most affordable foods for us.

I also primarily shop from local buisness since I know this supports my local economy and keeps jobs in my community. I advocate everyone to do the same when you can.

I have upgraded all the light bulbs in my house to be cfa and when affordable led. May I suggest looking online you may find the cost to be equal to what you would pay for replacement bulbs over a very short time and they will save not only your electrical cost but your cooling costs in the summer and since they last longer your not paying to replace bulbs. Insulate your home to save on heating costs you don't need to replace and rebuy everything.

I ensure that all the items in my home when replaced get done so with energey efficient models. I also take advantage of sales and rebates and dont' replace unless neccesary.

I host annual yard sales whatever doesn't sell gets donated to local charity. Am I wealthy no but I gain nothing by hording, buying items that are low quality just leads to needing to replace them sooner. So I rather budget purchase items when needed and be frugal and buy the best quality I can afford.

I can tell you this summer I purchased a new a/c it retailed for $550 I offered the manager $120 for an open box he took it. When I got to the car I checked it out the item was brand new I looked at the previous receipt wich was still attached previous person purchased it and returned it the same day so it was never used it probably didn't fit there window. Everything was clean the filter was never opened from tha plastic packaging. I donated my old ac to a womand shelter.

It doesn't help to presume anything by what someone posts.

 

[kydisneyfans]

I guess my expectations are lower.
To be blunt, businesses are in trouble, even Walmart is reporting poor same store sales.
If my kid needs school clothes and JC Penney has a $10 off $25 coupon where Kohls is $10 off $50, I'm going to Penney's.
If OCharleys has $5 off $20 and Applebee's doesn't-OCharleys is for dinner.
If Disney didn't offer free dining later this year, we wouldn't be going.

I have a ripped sofa cushion, and also have a needle and thread to fix it.
I guess I get excited when Meijer has grapes for .88 a lb and the corner gas station lowers gas a nickel a gallon. I'm one of the first to CVS to make a penny on a toothbrush.

Since I moved out 15 years ago, I have always used coupons and looked for sales just to make my lifestyle more comfortable. Now I see many doing it just to survive.


Yes, I do think sales are more intense. Without them, retailers may as close up shop and lock their doors.

These offers may hurt businesses in the long run, but they have to survive the current economic climate to make it to the long run.

 

[furb & dez]

Greedy big buisness (sic) sending everything overseas for production and labor and people not buying local and made in USA is what kills our economy. Your average joe doesn't bother to look at where there items are manufactured and don't care where something comes from. Blame those who just want the bottom dollar now and don't care about quality.

"Greedy big business" sends manufacturing overseas because cheap Americans want every product to be cheap. Americans are *not* willing to pay reasonable prices for goods manufactured by other Americans.

 

[furb & dez]

Dagnabit... duplicate post.

 

[mrodgers]

Retail deals too good to be true? Retail deals are good because it is all junk.

$300 laptops? I have a better desktop computer I am messing on right now that is 6 years old, and it was cheap at the time.

Clothing? It's all gone to China and is garbage. I have to buy lesser clothing because the quality clothing of yesterday is now cheaply made in China (Levi Jeans?)

Everything we buy today is throw-away garbage. Want to mow your 2 acre lawn? Either spend $4000 for a lawn mower or scrap it and buy a new one every 2 years.

When I moved into my house 10 years ago, it had a 30+ year old washing machine original to the house being built that worked just fine, it just wasn't efficient and used a lot of water. I'm well into my 2nd washing machine, along with the 2nd dishwasher of which the house didn't come with one.

I still have my first sound system that I got when I graduated from high school in 1990. I also purchased a home theater system (not cheap) since moving into the house and I'm also on the 2nd one of those.

Products are garbage today. It's why stuff is so cheap. You buy it, then throw it away and buy a new one in a couple years.

How about all the flat screen TVs of today? They are not cheap. People buying $800 televisions and they last 5 years before something is broken on them. That certainly didn't happen with the 1996 CRT television I paid $239 for back then that I am still using.

I don't think anything in retail is a deal at all.

 

[punkin]

Retail deals too good to be true? Retail deals are good because it is all junk.

$300 laptops? I have a better desktop computer I am messing on right now that is 6 years old, and it was cheap at the time.

Clothing? It's all gone to China and is garbage. I have to buy lesser clothing because the quality clothing of yesterday is now cheaply made in China (Levi Jeans?)

Everything we buy today is throw-away garbage. Want to mow your 2 acre lawn? Either spend $4000 for a lawn mower or scrap it and buy a new one every 2 years.

When I moved into my house 10 years ago, it had a 30+ year old washing machine original to the house being built that worked just fine, it just wasn't efficient and used a lot of water. I'm well into my 2nd washing machine, along with the 2nd dishwasher of which the house didn't come with one.

I still have my first sound system that I got when I graduated from high school in 1990. I also purchased a home theater system (not cheap) since moving into the house and I'm also on the 2nd one of those.

Products are garbage today. It's why stuff is so cheap. You buy it, then throw it away and buy a new one in a couple years.

How about all the flat screen TVs of today? They are not cheap. People buying $800 televisions and they last 5 years before something is broken on them. That certainly didn't happen with the 1996 CRT television I paid $239 for back then that I am still using.

I don't think anything in retail is a deal at all.

It's called planned obsolescence and it is exactly what most people want. People want new every few years and are perfectly happy with disposable appliances and electronics.

 

[Evi]

"Greedy big business" sends manufacturing overseas because cheap Americans want every product to be cheap. Americans are *not* willing to pay reasonable prices for goods manufactured by other Americans.

I hear you but don't agree necessarily. I think the average consumer isn't conscious of what goes on in big business. I don't think ignorance is something we can always blame on the consumer when in many ways our government's actions strive on keeping much of the population feeding the machine. Ultimately its up to each of us to share what we know and encourage each other to have higher expectations from our government on the grand scale and locally as well as expect better from businesses.

I don't buy cheap I buy quality. I know the difference between made to last and made to throw away. But that's a personal choice that also reflects my expectations and knowledge of how my actions impact the people and world around me.

So back to my question what kind of fabulous finds have you made recently. Or we could turn this into how to educate your fellow disser into how to make the world a better place. But I was trying to get my shop-on. I'm flexible.

 

[Friendly Frog]

You must be shopping somewhere that I don't. Other than those poor going out of business sales, I am not seeing any great deals.

If the thread goes the other way..."What went wrong..." please add Corporate greed to the list. The top level pulling too much out of the company in perks etc... Honestly some of it is obscene.

...but I won't drag the thread down too much Op, I am really glad you are finding some great deals!

 

[Evi]

Haha I'm more then happy to tell you where I shop. I tend to do a mix from regular retail bloomingdales, macy's, nordstroms, saks, to tjmaxx, homegoods, Bj's, I buy from lots of local retailers that you wouldn't have back home but they are worth checking your own local retailers like lighting fixture stored, home appliance, etc. I think its all about bargain shopping its a bit of a sport. I don't believe in paying full retail unless I truly must have it or I really need it. But everything else is fare game.

As of now I'm convinced you should never pay retail for appliances. Since we purchased out home 2 years ago I've purchased a dishwasher, refrigerator, washer, dryer and A/C at well below retail cost. I can tell you I purchased them all at Best Buy except my dishwasher which I purchased at a local retailer. I purchased them all on sale. They are all energy efficient models and all are stainless, except washer dryer they're white I don't get the color laundry thing. I didn't settle for something I didn't want. I even got my fridge with the french doors and bottom freezer I wanted. I'm also convinced the best time to buy major appliances is the week before black Friday. Again this is just a theory.

Come on I know someone else has to be a really good deal maker and they are holding out. Share a little.

 

[eliza61]

Op, I'm very much like you in that now I never ever shop without a discount but there have been many good points.

We Americans now have a "walmart" mentality. We want things dirt cheap, so we can't entirely blame coporate greed. WE want a shiney new toy every 2 years. prime example: cell phones. Please don't use the lousy excuse "well my cell phone plane upgrades my phone every 2 years". You cell phone company spends huge amounts of money for market research, they know exactly how juvenile the american shopper has become. They know if they flash some thing bright and shiney in front of our faces and call it "free" we will gladly fork over our dough and swear up and down, yes we really need it.

2nd case in point: Disney dining. Free dining is not "free". yet, for the most part disney has marketed that you are getting a great baragin, when the reality is far less (in general). It's just like a vegas casino, yes they razzle dazzle you with a perception that you're eating fabulously but remember the house always wins. LOL

I agree with the OP, rarely do I purchase any thing not a bargain. I don't have to, stores have some type of sale every time you sneeze. Hey look we had a back to school thread here in May!!! people try to justify it by saying "oh well my johnny goes to school early, I'm saving money" when in reality you're not. Do you honestly think that same stuff won't be as cheap if not cheaper in August when your kid actually goes to school? Black Friday is imo the worlds biggest con job going around. I've never ever brought any thing on black friday (in the last 7 years,) that was not cheaper closer to christmas.

Sorry guys we're sheep, retailers know it.

 

[hsmamato2]

lots of bargains on junk most of us don't really need....so offer it cheap (like that tablet) and people buy. shortsighted way to 'boost' the economy. It's cheaper to buy a tv or dvd player now than it has ever been. But utilities,groceries,and upkeep items like for my home or car,are EXPENSIVE. think gasoline.....

 

[ArielsMommy]

I don't think the bargains are too good to be true. I just think everything was way overpriced to start with.

 

[DawnM]

My way to shop is to have a budget and stick to it.

A $100 tablet would be a waste of $100 to me.

My local grocery store always circles the "savings" line on the receipt and the cashier always comments "you saved $50 (or whatever) this trip." I am always quick to point out, "No, I SPENT $40 this trip."

If it isn't money you intended to spend or an item you intended to buy in the first place, it is a waste if you don't need it.

Dawn

 

[bettymae1121]

I don't think that just because something is cheap that it is cheaply made, sometimes you just score a good deal. I got a $800 GE front loader washer for $400 because it was a floor model that had a few minor scratches. I was ready to pay $700-$800 for a new washer but by doing a bit of research, I found a good deal on a floor model. And that things weighs a ton, there isn't anything cheap about it. Well see how long it lasts but so far I see it going the distance.

For most places I shop (Kohl's, Penney's, etc.) I find that the "sale" price is really about what the regular price should be, so I always wait for the coupons/passes that give you an extra discount off the sale price. That's where the good deal is. For example, I never buy anything at Kohl's unless I've got the 30% off coupon they send out about 4-6x a year. And even then I limit my shoping to stuff I actually need, I don't go shoping just because I have the coupon. I've let several 30% coupons expire without buying anything...because there was nothing I needed at the time.

 

[DawnM]

I was going to post something similar. We can't afford free dining!

We stay off-site and eat a lot of our own food. Our Disney trips are quite inexpensive.

"Free" dining would mean a much higher cost.

Dawn

2nd case in point: Disney dining. Free dining is not "free". yet, for the most part disney has marketed that you are getting a great baragin, when the reality is far less (in general). It's just like a vegas casino, yes they razzle dazzle you with a perception that you're eating fabulously but remember the house always wins. LOL



Sorry guys we're sheep, retailers know it.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

I'm withthe others that say sure there are "deals" but if you are spending something on a nonnecessity then you aren't saving you are still spending.

I also agree with the pp who said items are made to break even costlier items. Bought a front load washer from Sears on a "deal" 3 years ago I am having it fixed for the second time (though I did shell out the extra for the service plan but essentially I prepaid for repairs) at the same time I bought a dishwasher Bosc supposed to be one of the best models out there. Had it three months and it quit. Had repair poeple in for three month after that trying to fix it until I fianlly said enough I have had a dishwasher for 6 months only used it for three and for three of those six months it had not worked at all. They replaced it with a comparable Kennmore model. I hate it doesn't get the dishes clean like it should. Also bought another item from Sears a ride on mower (again the service plan because I KNOW it is going to break- but we live in a really rural area Sears the whole in the wall storefront not the big department store type is all we have for these items) Boght this beginning of May Thur I am having a repair person out to replace the belts on it as the mower does not engage. So did I SAVE hundreds of dollars off those items retail cost sure but did I get quality items absolutely not.

So yeah there are deals to be found but are they really deals is the question...

 

[QVCshopper]

Besides the minivan we just bought, we have cut down on our spending overall, mostly because I am really really sick of "stuff". Good deals? Some. But, I also think people have caught on to the great sales, like Target's 75% off toys and 90% seasonal. I've been shopping deep sales for years, and while I think they are still going on, the competition is worse. I've also used coupons for 15-20 years, so that's not new to me.

I totally agree with Eliza61 about Black Friday. I picked up some things last year, only to find them cheaper as it got closer to Xmas.

My appliances are almost 10 years old and doing fairly well (knock on wood). I really don't think it pays to get all of the bells and whistles, as those things can break. I want a reliable, good quality base model that's ready to work for me. I told that to my car salesman, and he said, "you don't want that model." Why, yes, we do, and that's what we bought.