Compare prices – a few tips!

I don’t know if you noticed or not, but I haven’t posted a lot lately.  I really don’t like shopping this time of year.  It seems that everyone is throwing “deals” at you, but most aren’t even what I would call a deal.  They know that the more they get your attention, the more you go to their site to look, the more likely you are going to order something.  Maybe not even “that” something, but if they get you to their site, you may see something else!

Everyone wants your money!

With that said, it is very important to comparison shop.  I think this time of year it is more important than ever to know your prices and compare.  I had my eye on an item for my granddaughter from the Amazon Wish Book and the price when I looked was over $63, I left it in my online cart and it went down to $40 that night.  I ended up buying on Target instead (not the same, but a similar item).  Then, the next morning, the one on Amazon went below $30.  And, I checked each time … all of the prices were shipped AND sold by Amazon and NOT a 3rd party seller.

I don’t like that type of foolishness.  I know Amazon has always been quick to change prices, but this particular item was in the Amazon Wish Book.  Kids all over are circling what they would like to get for the holidays and Amazon is playing games with parents and grandparents purse strings!

So, my advice is to not buy something immediately.  Look around and compare prices.  Some items, you can even go to the manufacturer’s website to see what they are charging and if they have any promo codes to get a better deal.

Some sites will give you a discount code when you sign up for their emails or texts.  I only suggest doing this if you are really serious about buying from them as some of these companies are sending out multiple emails within hours of each other.

For instance, I signed up on Dearfoams website with my email address to get a 30% off code.  You can see below from my emails that they sent me the code at 8:52 am, then another email at 9:00, and yet another email at 9:39!

The funny thing about that is that I actually found a better code on Google as the 30% code that they sent could only be on full-price merchandise and the 40% off is just for clearance.  The site has a 20% off code, but I found a 30% when searching Google that works most items that are on sale (not clearance).  Just in case you want it, it’s SHOP30.  I am not sure how long it will be good for though.

So, check prices and check for coupons too.  There used to be a really good site for coupon codes, but they have so many expired anymore that I no longer recommend them.  Just search the internet for the store and “coupon” together and try whatever codes that you find.

I bought some Muk Luk boots recently and the prices are so different on the same style depending on where you buy them.

Look at the HUGE price difference!

They are still on sale at Boscovs.com if you are interested!

I think too, there is a lot of confusion on what the “regular” price is so it’s easier to get people to buy at what they think is a deal.  Amazon sometimes has a “list” price which is not always the actual retail price.  From their site:

This is determined using the 90-day median price paid by customers for the product on Amazon. We exclude prices paid by customers for the product during a limited time deal.

Amazon even says on their explanation of strike through pricing:

List prices may not necessarily reflect the prevailing market price of a product.

And Walmart’s full explanation of their list price:

Strikethrough Pricing on Walmart.com
Items on Walmart.com may display a strikethrough price in search results and on product display pages.

The strikethrough price is either a Was Price, a Bundle Price, or a List Price.

A Was Price is either the 90-day median price paid by customers for the item (excluding special promotions like holiday campaigns, limited time deals, rollbacks, and clearance) on walmart.com or the median price offered by Walmart or Marketplace sellers for the item on walmart.com for at least 28 out of the last 90 days (excluding special promotions like holiday campaigns, limited time deals, rollbacks, and clearance).

A Bundle Price is the sum of the current individual prices offered by Walmart for the components comprising the bundle.

A List Price is the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the item.

Except for books, Walmart.com uses List Price as the basis for a strikethrough price if the item was purchased by Walmart.com customers at that price or offered by other retailers at or above that price in the past 90 days or 180 days for seasonal items.

List Price may not be the prevailing market price for an item.

So, savvy shoppers may be buying low, other shoppers buying at a higher price, and a few who were probably price-gouged are all being calculated together for the median price and not what the actual retail price is.

I get emails from stores saying “how much I saved” and cashiers telling me “how much I saved” but saved from what?  I saved from the ridiculous normal price in that store … or did I really get a deal?  That is why you have to know your prices.  But also know the size of your product!

My husband always says that Dollar General items are smaller than other stores.  I really thought he was kidding.  But a couple years ago, I actually checked the price on Wheat Thins at both Dollar General and Walmart to see what store had better prices and found out that Dollar General’s box of Wheat Thins is smaller than Walmart’s box!

If you are needing help finding a code to a certain store or finding the best deal on an item, I am always willing to try to help.  Just please don’t ask me to figure out which toilet paper is a better deal based on the size and ply and how many extra rolls that one roll is supposed to be!  Toilet paper and paper towels are so confusing … and with that said, how big is just 1 roll … and did they downsize it, because Scott papertowels (at least the 6=7 at DG) look like 1/2 rolls.

Another way you can “save” money when ordering online is through Rakuten (formerly Ebates).  You can get cash back at so many stores online that you already shop at!

You only have to remember to click through the Rakuten site before shopping … or you can download their Chrome extension so you don’t have to remember!

Some of my favorite stores that I shop online and get cashback from Rakuten are Vitacost, Duluth Trading, Oriental Trading, and Boscovs!  They also have Best Buy, Staples, PetMeds, Swanson, and a whole lot more!  Yes, even Kohl’s, Walmart, Macy’s, Adidas … I could go on and on.  If you are not a member, go check out Rakuten!

Other ways to save money are to check the cash back apps like:

Fetch and Ibotta

They are both apps that you can earn when you scan your receipts.  You can also get cash back from Ibotta for shopping online.

So, compare your prices and your options!

Anyway, I kind of went a little off here and there, so I hope this post makes sense.

If you want to join my Facebook group where you can ask questions.
Penny Puss Hot Deals Anywhere

Happy shopping!