Let the Buyer Beware

Okay, last year during the holiday season you really overspent. Well, it was not entirely your fault. Department stores use a number of tricks (especially during the holidays) to get you to spend more money. Marketing experts are hired to study consumer habits and buying patterns. And they use this information against us to increase sales. In order to avoid a recurrence, planning and education are essential. The following information should increase your awareness of some common traps laid for you.

• Escalators are a focal point of many stores, which makes the ideal locations for signs and promotional items. Look as you ride, but resist the urge to stop and shop.

• All department stores are designed to stimulate impulse buying. Think about the layout of your favorite department store. Cosmetics, the most profitable department, are often located near the ground floor entrance. The space is often leased to makeup companies who hire their own salespeople. Smiling beauties are ready to spray a new perfume or introduce a new product - samples are always free.

• Hosiery, scarves, handbags and jewelry are also high impulse items. They are usually nearby. The things we really need are most often on the upper floors.

• Display class in glass - an item in a glass case implies luxury. An item in a glass case with a lot of space around it implies real luxury. The price tag is usually turned down. You will have to wait for a salesperson's assistance to even consider the price.

• Some stores promote bizarre behavior during the holiday season. They use "dump bins" to display leather gloves, scarves and other small items, which suggest a good buy. Check the price and compare with other items on display. Are they truly a good buy?

• Resist the urge to splurge. Once the wallet's out, what's another $100? Apparel retailers place impulse items around the cashier the same way supermarkets display gum and candy. Stick to your plan.

• Give ‘em the rack - The "sale rack" in the Discount Store is meant to stop you in your tracks. They are bold and "in your face." Not so in a more pricey store. You may have to search for the "sale rack." By no accident, it has been placed in the back of the store. You will pass by display after display of attractively arranged full-priced items. Careful!

The bottom - line - stay alert! Decide how much you can afford to spend and stick to your budget. Do not take money or credit cards you should not be using. Start shopping early so you are not rushed into buying something because you did not have time to shop around. Happy Holidays!

 

Winter 2000
Christmas Tree Selection Time Again | Gifts for Gardeners | Holiday Season Pet Hazards | Prepare Your Garden For Winter | All America Vegetable Selections 2001 | Lawn Care Calendar | Bug Bites: Unwanted Visitors That Are Lurking In Your Firewood | Cybergarden Sites | Hort Tips | Hort Shorts | Garlic's Benefits Attract Researchers | Cranberries | Let the Buyer Beware | Roasting Chestnuts | Health and Household Tips | Did You Know?

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