Ways To Save Money Today
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009
With most countries experiencing an economic recession at the moment, it’s important that you find new and innovative ways to save money. Basically you need to be able to stretch your dollar’s value even further. This can be done with a little research and knowledge about the laws in your area and the various policies stores have to maintain and increase their customer base. In this article, I’m going to show you some ways and tips on saving money.
Research Product Prices
The best way to compare product prices is by using the Internet. There are countless websites that allow you to view and compare product pricing and savings. What I suggest is that you use local sites.
For example, Canadians may want to use RedFlagDeals.com. Using their search function, find the product that you are searching for and the prices at various stores. Write down the store and the price. If the store is too far and not worth your gas or time or you don’t want to order it online, check the pricing on the Internet at the store you usually shop at. If the price is more at your favorite store, you can advise their customer service about the price. In most cases, they will match the price and give you 10% of the difference in the price.
In some cases, the customer service rep may not know of the store offering the better deal. Ask them to check the store’s website. This is where your selling, bargaining skills come into play. You are now trying to sell the salesperson your better deal.
This approach involves a little bit of research but if you research the product carefully, you can save quite a bit of money.
Know Your Store’s Policies and Consumer Laws
Sometimes stores have a policy that if the price on the shelf is lower than in the computer on check-out, you receive the product for free up to a maximum value of say $10. This particularly happens for items on sale. Sometimes the computer does not get updated.
Some stores tend to have difficulty in updating their systems correctly and in a timely fashion for the new prices. Therefore it’s a good idea to check store prices as you are shopping or check the flyer for sales and then check your grocery receipt. If the prices differ in your favor, you can mention it to the cashier or go back to the store the next time you are there with your proof. You’ll either get your product free or a refund.
Sometimes there are stores that have in-stock guarantees like for inkjet cartridges and toners. If the product is not in stock, they will give you a coupon for say $10 off your next ink cartridge purchase. If they don’t, email the company’s head office and they’ll make sure you get it!
In some places, such store polices can be the law. Therefore it’s good to know and ask about a store’s policy because it can work in your favor.
Of course there are many other ways for you to save money. You can read more about them here at my website IWantSwag.com. These are just three ways, that you may not know about, that can save you money today.
