Finding Great Deals: Timing Is Vital
There's a sale somewhere every day of the week, and the "Saturday Bargainista" offered a calendar full of secrets to finding deep discounts.
Early Show Saturday Edition co-anchor Erica Hill knows her way around the land of great deals and shares her expertise with viewers each week.
Early Show contributor and financial journalist Vera Gibbons gave Hill a hand in imparting the best days of the week to save on whatever you want to buy.
They made clear you not only have to know where to look, but when!
We happen to be just days away from what's traditionally the biggest sale day of the year: "Black Friday," the day after Thanksgiving and the traditional kickoff of the holiday shopping season.
But, while you get some great deals on Black Friday, you may not be getting the very best deals.
IT FEELS LIKE WE STARTED SEEING "BLACK FRIDAY" PRICES A WHILE AGO. HAVEN'T WE ALREADY SEEN THE BEST BARGAINS WE'RE GOING TO SEE THIS SEASON?
Given the economy, a lot of retailers jumped the gun. They rolled out Black Friday prices a while ago. That's not to say we won't have a Black Friday this year. We will, and there will be deals, all sorts of door-busters to get you in. But overall, these deals may not be more impressive than what you've already seen, despite the hype.
YOU SAY, IF YOU WANT TO GET THE VERY BEST BARGAINS, YOU HAVE TO KNOW JUST WHICH DAYS TO SHOP FOR WHAT. SO, START WITH "BLACK FRIDAY." WHAT SHOULD WE SHOP FOR?
Black Friday is a big day for low-end or no-name-brand items. So if you're looking for a television and you don't mind if it's not a name brand, Black Friday is your day.
Friday, Nov. 28: Low-end electronics
IF YOU'RE INVESTING IN SOMETHING LIKE A FLAT-SCREEN TV, YOU MIGHT WANT A BRAND NAME. CAN YOU STILL GET A DEAL?
If you're looking for brand-name electronics, it's best to wait a bit, till maybe around the 10th of December. If sales aren't great, that's when the shops will begin to really put their lowest prices on name brands.
Wednesday, Dec. 10: High-end electronics
WHEN CAN YOU GET YOUR BEST BARGAINS ON GROCERIES?
Sundays. You can combine in-store sales with the coupons from the Sunday paper. If you're shopping for goods you might not need immediately, shop on Tuesday, when the store will have run out of sale items and you can pick up rain-checks instead.
Sunday, Nov. 29, Dec. 7, 14, 21: Shop for Groceries
HOW ABOUT TOYS?
The big sales on toys will start about three weeks before Christmas, around Dec. 4. That's when stores and manufacturers see what's selling well, and what's not, and what's not selling as well as they expected will drop in price.
Thursday, Dec. 4: Start shopping for Toys
IS THERE A BEST DAY TO FIND BARGAINS ON CLOTHES?
Friday is the best time for clothes, though different items are better bargains on different days. Swimwear and shoes are better on Saturdays, as is lingerie. And handbags are better on Tuesdays.
Friday, Dec. 5, 12, 19: Shop for Clothes
WHAT ABOUT HOUSEWARES?
The best time for house wares, kitchen wares, anything like that is Saturday evening! That's when the stores begin marking things down for their Sunday circulars. Even if the markdowns haven't been made yet, a lot of stores will still honor the sale price.
Saturday, Dec. 6, 13, 20: Shop for Housewares
LOOK OUT FOR THESE GREAT DEALS THIS WEEK:
Borders has up to 40 percent off hardcover bestsellers.
Macy's is holding its "Get Dressed for the Holidays Sale."
K-Mart has big discounts on toys and jewelry.
And Wal-Mart has an amazing "door-buster" deal: a 50-inch plasma TV for just $798; check the Wal-Mart Web site for any restrictions.
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