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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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