5 Expert Tips for Winning Every Epic Labor Day Sale
It’s finally happened. We’ve reached the end of summer, which means it’s all back to school ads and it is only a matter of time before the leaves change. We still have one more fun-in-the-sun long weekend thanks to Labor Day, and with that, a slew of sales that promise some of the best deals of the year. Know that it’s no small task though — this is basically the retail Hunger Games, and you need a strategy. We talked with someone who lives and breathes bargains, Kendal Perez, the woman behind HassleFreeSavings.com and the Marketing Manager for Kinoli Inc. She has the scoop for helping you survive — and *thrive* — at every Labor Day sale you hit up now through the long weekend. Read this and you’re all but guaranteed to come out of it all with a cute sweater… or five.
Navigating major sales is not for the faint of heart, so grab a pen and paper or use one of the 60 list apps on your phone and devise a plan. To avoid getting caught up the rush of the moment, take a minute (like before you enter the parking lot) to think about what you really need to buy. Don’t nab something just because it’s a great deal. Make sure it actually has a place in your wardrobe or apartment.
Also, find those coupons, regardless if your “gotta get it” list numbers 3 or 30. Discount codes will do wonders for your budget. Search Google before you head out for the day (duh), or try a coupon-specific site like Coupon Sherpa to see if a deal applies to your needs, just not the other way around. If coupons seem a little hit or miss for you, sign up for a price-drop notification service like TrackIf, which will reveal the price history of the product itself to help you identify when the product was priced at its lowest and what price you might expect this weekend and help you make the decision to hold off or pounce.
Be Equipped
On one shoulder, a handbag for your wallet and other day-to-day essentials. On the other, there should be a tote stuffed with pick-me-ups you need to get you through the day, like water, a Luna Bar and a portable charger. Not only do you want your phone fully juiced to text your bff about the great sale you just stumbled into, but you can use it as a tool to comparison shop. Perez said it’s the key to saving money on any purchase, along with knowing the general price history of the product you’re buying. “Most stores will advertise the ‘best deals of the year,’ with some going so far as to mark up products in order to offer bigger discounts. Combat this sneaky strategy and use your smartphone to help you quickly compare local prices on products you’re looking at.” She recommends making sites like ShopSavvy or RedLaser your go-tos if you feel like something’s up.
Go for the Big-Ticket Items
Have you been wanting a mattress? A couch? A new flatscreen? This is the absolute best time to buy ’em, according to Perez. But, scoring the best deal on these big-ticket items all comes down to having done your research. “Scope out mattress and furniture stores after work this week and narrow down your selections. Then, put your haggling hat on and negotiate for the best deal.” Perez said.
Skip Everything Fall
You might be well into the summer-to-fall-switch in both your wardrobe and home, prepping your bod and your abode for the colder weather to come, but according to Perez, snap out of it for the sales. “As badly as we want to wear fall’s latest fashions right now, they do not represent a good buy and should be avoided during Labor Day sales!” Instead, she says to get into a summer state of mind: “Summer clearance items represent the best buys of Labor Day sales because retailers are eager to rid their showroom floors of these end-of-season garments.”
Look for deals on luxury labels, too. Designers put their summer leftovers on sale over the Labor Day weekend. Last year Neiman Marcus, Ralph Lauren, Saks, Bloomingdale’s and Lacoste discounted their merchandise between 20 percent and 86 percent. Brooks Brothers and Club Monaco also had great online sales, so do hold out hope for that discounted Celine bag.
If you’re dying for fall-focused deals, hold tight. Perez said if you can hold out till October, especially over Columbus Day, the deals will be amazing for fall fashion and home decor. The same applies to harvest and Halloween accessories. For now, it’s just too early in the season. “Sales cycles on clothing are typically two months, meaning two months from when new styles debut on the sales floor, you can expect savings of up to 50%.”
CASH ONLY
If you’re on a tight budget, leave the credit cards at home. Period. You can easily get really swept up in the spirit of sale shopping and forget that, you know, you’d also like to eat regularly and pay your rent ;) Remember, you can also place items on hold and give yourself a day to think over the purchase. Sometimes what seemed absolutely necessary in the moment may seem a little less vital to your life after you sleep on it.
What’s your Labor Day sales strategy? Tell us what stores you’re planning to hit up in the comments below.
