We really need your business…liquidate this!
I paid what?
With the tanking economic environment, retailers are hurting. I don’t mean just stub your toe on the coffee table hurting – we’re talking can’t sell a damn thing and turning off the lights hurting. Unfortunately, I just learned something that maybe others before me already knew and I just failed to pay attention.
What is the point of a liquidation sale when in fact, nothing is on sale? To be more specific, the prices marked during most “going out of business” or “liquidation” sales are not any cheaper. Considering the employment instability right now it’s no wonder a frantic dash is on to save money- sadly this probably isn’t the way to do it.
We thrive off the sale, the discount, the wholesale cost, the half off clearance, the two for one, the easy financing, the price match, and my favorite – the midnight madness. To compound the issue, there are promotional outfits who profit when other companies can’t cut the mustard. Where have I been and how many times have I probably purchased something at a liquidation blowout extravanganza?
Here’s the skinny – once a liquidator is hired, the actual store is not setting the prices anymore. Granted, they do want the merchandise to move but the discounts start very low, often the first discounted price is higher than what the store had it marked before the sale! But you wont know that unless you look for a peeled price sticker or do your homework – here are some hints before you take a nose dive into a sale this holiday season:
- Check the price at other stores and you may discover the original price was cheaper.
- Compare prices online. Online retailers such as Amazon and Tiger Direct are good places to compare.
- Beware! Warranties are typically honored through the manfacturer, not the store that sold it.
- Don’t be afraid of sites like Woot and Craigslist. A lot of good used items out there and it’s fun.
If you insist on buying at the big box retailers, you hold the trump card now. After seeing all this, I wouldn’t assume that the price staring you in the face is the best they can do. Consumers are not as dumb as we look – although I’ve seen some classic dumb looks on people’s faces as they parade through a store at 6am looking for a deal. (Did I say that?)
Seriously now – where is the logic in this? I’m sorry, I’m not going to reward your failing business by forking up more cash.
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