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I am proud to consider myself a
true bargain shopper. I am
actually among the few who understand that
the items that cost the least are not
always the best deal. A real bargain
shopper also understands that stores that
boast their money-saving assets are not the
best places to go.
The current surge
of dollar stores helps me illustrate the
difference between two fundamental
customers. One is a bargain shopper in her
own right because she skips the regular
everyday department store and heads for the
dollar stores instead. On the surface, this
may seem like the best idea but a true
bargain shopper knows that it really is
not.
There are a number
of reasons for this. Many people overspend
in these stores because they tend to buy on
impulse. If the item is a mere dollar, why
not toss it in the cart? After all, it’s
only a dollar. If the bargain shopper does
this enough times, she may wind up with a
cart overloaded with items she never
intended to buy and never really needed in
the first place. This is not good practice
for any bargain shopper.
Aside from binge
spending, the bargain shopper has to
consider quality. That mop for just a buck
has got to be a great deal but if you see
the thing literally falling apart in your
hands, tell yourself to put your hands down
and step away from the mop. Many items
found in discount stores lack quality
construction, so avoid buying thing like
tools and such without a good inspection
first. There is no use in buying something
that you will have to throw away in a few
days.
When buying food
and condiments in the dollar store a true
bargain shopper immediately checks the
label for the expiration date. You would be
surprised by how many expired items are
found on the shelves long after their
expiration date has passed. In this case,
you are buying nothing but garbage because
that is where these food items
belong.
You might think
that there is really no point of even
walking into a dollar store, but there is.
A good bargain shopper has a strategy for
her outings. The best times to visit a
dollar store are when you need items for
special occasions or if you are looking for
the great deal on detergent or bleach.
Items like soaps and detergent are often
the same brands found in regular stores.
The difference is that these products may
not be moving off the shelves because the
manufacturer came up with a brilliant
alteration of the product that is very
popular. If you don’t mind not having the
cutting edge scent in laundry soap, then
the dollar store is for you in this case.
It also shows that you may very well be a
bargain shopper.
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