Discover Your Inner-Bargain Hunter!

Early Show Saturday Edition's "Bargainista" Will Lead You To Big Savings Each Week; Expert Offers Pointers

(CBS)  Early Show Saturday Edition co-anchor Erica Hill let viewers in on a little secret this week: She loves bargains -- no matter what they're on. There's nothing like a good deal, she says, and sharing word of such deals only makes it all the sweeter.

With that, Hill launched a new feature -- the "Saturday Bargainista."

Every week, she'll tell where to find great bargains -- on everything from fashion to gadgets, toys to travel.

Forget the high-end "fashionista," Hill says -- cheap is the new chic!

For starters, Hill clued viewers in on how to be a true bargainista, with fashion entrepreneur and lifestyle expert Jen Groover, CEO of Jen Groover Productions, sharing tips on becoming a master at the game of bargain hunting.

Groover and Hill agree: There's just that certain "feeling" that comes over you when you know you've gotten a great price on an item.

Also, bear in mind that, in this struggling economy, stores are offering bargains galore to try to move their goods!

Groover's bargain-finding words to the wise:

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A TRUE "BARGAINISTA"?

The whole "bargainista" thing is about changing your mindset. It's the fact that it's cool now to find a bargain. Rather than hiding the fact, now it's about being proud that you've managed to find real bargains. It's about learning to be an educated consumer, and educated consumers shop for value, not brand. It's fascinating how our consumerism has changed overnight. Humble is the new black. People are shopping, but they don't really want things delivered in Barney's bags. A friend sent me a new publication the other day, it was called "Penny Pincher." A year ago, people never would have shared the fact that they read that kind of publication. But we're stripping down a layer of snobbery that existed even a year ago. And this is a great time to become a "Bargainista," because everyone is hurting.

RULES OF BEING A "BARGAINISTA": FIRST, LEARN TO HAGGLE

Haggling isn't just for the street markets anymore. Even mainstream shops are willing to haggle. I went into one store last week and was looking at two sweater dresses that were $250 each. I wasn't sure about them, and thought they were a bit pricey. The salesman immediately said, "If you buy one, I'll give you the other for $100 off." Stores are even more focused now on selling you their goods. There is negotiation everywhere. You can ask for a supervisor or floor manager if the sales person doesn't bite. The stores have a big enough profit margin that they can afford to sell you some things for a lot less. And, it's about the consumer experience. They know you'll remember they were willing to work with you, and next time you'll come back and buy 10 things. But be realistic when you haggle: Don't set a ridiculously low price, and you may just find you'll get something off. The stores are desperate to move their inventory in this economic environment. And make sure you do your research, so you know what other shops are charging. Then tell them you've seen something for less somewhere else, and most shops will try to match the price.

IF YOU WANT THAT DESIGNER NAME, LOOK FOR THEIR LOW-END LINES

What most people don't realize is, top designers are designing for mid-or-low-end retailers right now. It started with Isaac Mizrahi for Target. He was selling a few of his high-end pieces, but not making a lot of money. Target drew him in, telling him he would be a household name if he did a line for them, and he did. Now, Target is turning down designers left and right who want to do lines for them. And I can illustrate that point with one bag. I designed it, the Butler Bag, and it sells at major retailers for $275. Now I'm doing a line of Butler bags for QVC, and they're selling for $99 (Butler Bag by Jen Groover sold @ www.butlerbag.com for $275; Butler Bag by Jen Groover for QVC @ www.qvc.com for $99). Do your research, and you'll find high-end designers doing lines of clothing and jewelry for Target, H&M, QVC. You can wear, and give, designer labels and spend a lot less.

SHOP THE SAMPLE SALES

Sample sales used to be just for sample sizes, such as fours, sixes and eights. Now, designers and brands use them to get rid of their overstock, so you find clothes and shoes in all sizes, but you have to get there early, and often, expect to wait in line. When the goods are up to 70-percent off, it's worth it! And, most people don't like to sign up for Web newsletters, but there are a bunch of them, such as "TopSecret.com," that will make you privy to private sales, or sample sales. It's like being a member of a private club. Often, you can get early admission to sales, which gives you a chance to get to the merchandise before everyone picks over it.

SHOP ON TUESDAY MORNINGS

That's the best-kept secret in the bargain-shopping business: All the discounters get their new merchandise in on Tuesday mornings. That's when you have your best selection; all the clothes, shoes, accessories look great, because people haven't been rummaging through them yet, and you'll have your best choices of styles, color and size.

LET GO OF YOUR FASHION SNOBBERY

You have to stop thinking that, if you didn't get the best designer goods in the best shops, then you haven't gotten a bargain. Get over that. Look at the Targets and the K-Marts, but also, look at consignment shops. You can bring in clothes you no longer wear, make a few bucks, then buy gently-used clothes from them for a lot less. Don't forget about QVC. Swap clothes with your friends; if they have a scarf you love and they don't wear it, trade for something you have that they want. Learn to make clothes look different by dressing them up. And again, shop for value, not brands. High-end designer jeans can cost $200, $300, even $500. But now there are jeans makers who are saying "No" to those high prices, who know we realize it's just denim, and they're putting out lines of designer jeans for $40-60. We've got Mudd Jeans, Bongo Jeans, Candies and Rampage jeans, all with that designer cache, all for between $14.99-49.99. And how do they look?

FOR DETAILS ON ITEMS YOU CAN GET STEALS OF A DEAL ON, click here.

[dfeldman5]

One correction in the article. The website for online sample sales at up to 70% off retail is www.TheTopSecret.com . Its an online invitation only website. Your invitation link is www.TheTopSecret.com/JenGroover

[jay25hawk]

Never knew discounters get their new merchandise in on Tuesday mornings.Good info. Enjoyed the Bargainista segment!

[kypatriot]

Jen Groover the so called expert, is "NOT" giving out any real advise on how to find bargains.