So here are 5 "insider" tricks for making the holiday shopping time a little bit easier. (Courtesy of CNN Money)
"Delores, I think we missed a spot on the garage!"
"Delores, I think we missed a spot on the garage!"
1. Shop after 6 p.m. the day BEFORE the big sale.
In other words, if the ad says the storewide holiday discounts kick off on a Wednesday, don't wait until Wednesday to rush to the store.
"Usually the special discounts get put into the system after 6 p.m. the day before and you can beat the crowds," said Dan Butler, vice president of retail operations and merchandising with the National Retail Federation.
However, not all large stores follow this practice. Therefore, it's really up to consumers to try their luck at whatever stores they're keen to shop during the sales blitz.
Maybe the store name is supposed to be Convertibles Jennifer, too.
2. Pause and investigate before you click "Buy."
This applies if you're doing your gift shopping on the Internet, said Edgar Dworsky, consumer advocate and editor of Consumer World.
"This is a little trick to help save money," said Dworsky. Essentially how it works is when you get to the checkout on an etailer's Web site and you're prompted to enter a coupon or promotions code, this signals that there are extra discounts available on that product.
Dworsky said he usually takes phrase used by the merchant, such as "promotional code", and enters that phrase and the name of the merchant in Google to see if there are any discount codes available.
Two places to directly look for discount codes, without searching the Internet, is to use couponcabin.com or fatwallet.com.
Santa visits Alabama.
3. Make money while you shop.
Said Dworsky, "Some Web sites like Ebates give customers two to five percent of their money back on purchases.
Ebates gives customers exclusive offers and free shipping deals from more than 800 retail chains, including Target (Charts) and Gap (Charts). Dworsky said sites such as Ebates get a commission every time a consumer clicks through to a featured retailer.
"But they also share the money they make from the referral by refunding some of the cash back to consumers on their purchases," Dworsky said.
Babe had a tragic accident right before Christmas...but Paul Bunyan cleverly disguised it with a wreath.
4. Ask for the "hidden" discounts.
All's fair in love and Christmas shopping. So don't be shy about getting friendly - within limits - with the store staff, said Britt Beemer, retail analysts and chairman of America's Research Group.
"Ask an employee about any unadvertised coupons or sales going on that week," said Beemer.
Many retailers now offer special discounts and coupons exclusively as part of their loyalty programs.
"You won't know about these unless you sign up for the program. So make sure to ask at the checkout about these discounts as well," Beemer said.
In other words, if the ad says the storewide holiday discounts kick off on a Wednesday, don't wait until Wednesday to rush to the store.
"Usually the special discounts get put into the system after 6 p.m. the day before and you can beat the crowds," said Dan Butler, vice president of retail operations and merchandising with the National Retail Federation.
However, not all large stores follow this practice. Therefore, it's really up to consumers to try their luck at whatever stores they're keen to shop during the sales blitz.
Maybe the store name is supposed to be Convertibles Jennifer, too.
2. Pause and investigate before you click "Buy."
This applies if you're doing your gift shopping on the Internet, said Edgar Dworsky, consumer advocate and editor of Consumer World.
"This is a little trick to help save money," said Dworsky. Essentially how it works is when you get to the checkout on an etailer's Web site and you're prompted to enter a coupon or promotions code, this signals that there are extra discounts available on that product.
Dworsky said he usually takes phrase used by the merchant, such as "promotional code", and enters that phrase and the name of the merchant in Google to see if there are any discount codes available.
Two places to directly look for discount codes, without searching the Internet, is to use couponcabin.com or fatwallet.com.
Santa visits Alabama.3. Make money while you shop.
Said Dworsky, "Some Web sites like Ebates give customers two to five percent of their money back on purchases.
Ebates gives customers exclusive offers and free shipping deals from more than 800 retail chains, including Target (Charts) and Gap (Charts). Dworsky said sites such as Ebates get a commission every time a consumer clicks through to a featured retailer.
"But they also share the money they make from the referral by refunding some of the cash back to consumers on their purchases," Dworsky said.
Babe had a tragic accident right before Christmas...but Paul Bunyan cleverly disguised it with a wreath.
4. Ask for the "hidden" discounts.
All's fair in love and Christmas shopping. So don't be shy about getting friendly - within limits - with the store staff, said Britt Beemer, retail analysts and chairman of America's Research Group.
"Ask an employee about any unadvertised coupons or sales going on that week," said Beemer.
Many retailers now offer special discounts and coupons exclusively as part of their loyalty programs.
"You won't know about these unless you sign up for the program. So make sure to ask at the checkout about these discounts as well," Beemer said.
