Your Money: Live Well for Less
HOW REAL ARE THE DEALS?
What you can save at off-price retailers
Discounters such as Burlington, Ross Dress for Less and T.J.Maxx give inflation-weary shoppers a chance to buy the same or similar items found at other well-known stores, but for a lot less.
How much less? In March, I launched an epic shopping spree with my husband, Bill, to find out. We checked prices on 100 different items at seven stores—everyday basics, small appliances and more. Then I compared these brick-and-mortar prices with the lowest ones I could find from major retailers online, excluding no-name stores and third-party sellers on major sites. I found that the cost of items at off-price retailers tended to be from 20 to 50 percent lower than the best online prices. Some discounts topped 60 percent!
My tips for shopping at these stores:
▶︎ Be skeptical. Don’t assume that everything at an off-price retailer is a deal. I found several examples of zero-discounted items. A quick online search can help you avoid these duds.
▶︎ Go often and mix it up. Off-price retailers constantly put new merchandise on display. So the more frequently you shop, the more luck you’ll have. Also, it pays to go to different stores. No single retailer among the ones I checked always had the biggest markdowns.
▶︎ Grab it or lose it. If you see something you want, buy it. It might be gone tomorrow, and you can return it if you change your mind. Burlington, Nordstrom Rack, Ross, T.J.Maxx and Ollie’s give you 30 days to return in-store purchases; remember to keep your receipts.
▶︎ Stock up on essentials. I think of off-price retailers mostly as places to buy clothing and shoes, but you can find amazing deals on basics such as razors, toothpaste and even food.
▶︎ Get ahold of yourself! You can always find great deals on stuff you don’t need. I do a reality check before I head to the register, so I can decide whether each item in my cart is really worth it.
Here is a sampling of the best deals I found in late March.
BURLINGTON
Mrs. Fields chocolate chip cookies
Price: $4
Savings Over Best Online Price: 65%
MARSHALLS
Martha Stewart wineglasses, 4-pack
Price: $15
Savings Over Best Online Price: 46%
OLLIE’S BARGAIN OUTLET
PowerXL Vortex Pro Air Fryer, 6 quarts
Price: $50
Savings Over Best Online Price: 41%
ROSS DRESS FOR LESS
Calphalon Tri-Ply 3-quart sauté pan
Price: $35
Savings Over Best Online Price: 46%
T.J.MAXX
Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Price: $17
Savings Over Best Online Price: 53%
Lisa Lee Freeman, a journalist specializing in shopping and saving strategies, was founder and editor in chief of ShopSmart magazine from Consumer Reports.