Shopping Woes

Everyone loves shopping... right? Not. Plenty of my friends HATE it. Not only do they not enjoy it, but they avoid having to do it ever. It's so sad to me. Because I truly enjoy it. Recently though, I've found that that might be a result of my working retail. Seeing "behind the scenes kinda" deal has it's advantages. So, in order to pass on my knowledge, I'd like to offer you a few tips!

1. Time. You need time to go shopping. Unless you know EXACTLY what you are looking for and you're looking to make it an in-and-out trip, time is a necessity. Especially if you are looking for bargains. You have to be willing to look through every item of the sales rack because that's how people get deals. Check items outside of your size sections, things don't always get put back where they should. So, make sure to leave some extra time for searching in those clearance sections. Most of the time, it's worth it. Plus, then you get to brag to all your friends who compliment you, on how little you paid for it.

2. Ask. Associates are there for a reason. We aren't just there to run the registers. We are there for customer service. And, 9 out of 10 clothing stores, have a stockroom. They have to, you can't run a clothing store without one. Therefore, stockroom means they might have sizes in the back. And sometimes associates are too busy to make sure all the sizes are out so asking one of them to check never hurt anyone. If they don't have it, no big. But if they do, score.

3. Triple check. When you think you're ready to make a purchase, check the items you have in your hand, the sizes, the styles, the prices. Be 100% sure about your purchase. Add up the approximate total cost. That way, when you hear the total you aren't shell shocked and frantically trying to lower it at the register.

4. Price check. Not all associates hate their job. With the exception of the occasional hateful, depressed, moping, sulky, workers, most of us are happy to help you with anything you need. If the item looks like it's in the wrong place, if the sale price isn't clear, or if it might have additional markdowns, ask for a price check. It takes two seconds at most stores and the associates don't mind at all.

5. Sign up for e-mail coupons. Yeah yeah, I can hear the grumbling already. I know how obnoxious this can be. Getting millions of e-mails from a bunch of stores of updates and sales and coupons that you don't have time to read. I understand that. I hate it to. However, these can be very worth it. My suggestion? Create a free email account just for coupons. Make it short and quick to write down, enter, or tell the associate. You don't have to check it every day and it won't clog up your work or personal e-mail. Then if you plan a shopping day, take a gander at that e-mail. See what coupons or sales the stores are having. Print them real quick and stick them in your purse just in case you decide to look around that store and see something you like. There's nothing I hate more than knowing you had a coupon but couldn't use it.

6. Check price tags. Here's a secret that I've found in working at Children's Place. Corporate is smart. And so is the Marketing department (maybe that's why it's my major!). However, they know the ways to say things to make you buy it without comparing. For example, we sell denim all year round at the store. Regularly the big kids sizes are 2 for $22 (12.50 ea). When they go on "promo" they usually go to around $11 a piece. This might sound like a deal because of the nice even low number. BUT, it's only a dollar cheaper than they normally are when you buy 2 of them. So just be sure to check how much an item is regularly in comparison to the promo price. Sometimes it's worth it, sometimes it's not.

Hope these tips help some shopping ventures in the future! Now go out and "shop till you drop".

Disclaimer: It has come to my attention that these tips probably don't have a huge affect on men. I apologize, however, I can't help you much. You shop differently and more straight-forward. And most likely, you will hate shopping no matter what.