35% off means you’re getting a good deal – From Kiplinger Magazine
35% off. That’s the magic number you should hold out for according to Kiplinger’s. At least that’s the opinion of the retail expert they interviewed for their recent feature on smart shopping.
In the article: “Shopping Strategies to Uncover the best Deals,” Suzanne O’Conner from BargainsLA.com claims that if you hold out for 35% off you know you’re getting a good deal. She explains that most retailers initially offer a product at 20% above what they expect most will pay for it.
Damn. But is it really that simple?
Here’s a scenario. Say you really like a pair of shoes and you’re a size 10. The shoes are already in your price range at $100. Are you really going to sit tight until they drop to $65? Of course not. Because by then, there won’t be a single size ten left for you to buy. But on the other hand you see a J. Crew Linen shirt marked down 40% and on sale for $50… and that still seems a little expensive. (Unless you really like linen shirts)
When is a deal, a deal? The answer is is unfortunately: It depends.
Question: Do you always wait until something goes on sale? Or is it a case by case basis? What will you pay full price for, and never buy unless it’s marked way down? Answers in the comments section if you please…
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I agree with the “It depends”. It all depends on a lot of factors: original ticket price, how much I like the item(s), sale price, mood, etc.
Mood is a big one, because although I do usually “have” the money to spend on some clothes without a sale it all depends on how I feel. Sometimes you feel like splurging and will just get something no matter what the cost, such as $70 chinos from J.Crew lol, other times you just don’t feel right spending money or that much money.
Sometimes you may have been eyeing something for a while but just haven’t been able to make the final plunge, and when that 10% off coupon comes around it is just the push you need.
So yea, “It Depends.” 🙂
I’ll also have to admit that I’ve become a big fan of the 40% off that Banana Republic has been doing more often. It has definitely had me in that store more often as of late. (That’s how I bought some of those Gavin chinos from yesterday!) But their standard emails with “25% OFF TODAY ONLY!” really don’t do anything for me.
But you’re right…it definitely depends on the situation.
I am a cheap SOB. I wait for things to get on sale. Which is why I usually never find anything in my size. But then again, it helps me from adding to my wardrobe too much (this guy needs to have a yard sale).
I think it really depends on the item and the individual shopper. I know that I am more likely to buy something from Jcrew.com when they do their extra 20-30% off sale items specials. I mean you are usually already getting a pretty good deal and then adding an extra 20% off is perfect. Also if it is something that you could have seen yourself buying at full price than any sale is a good sale to me.
I scored a pair of tan suade dessert boots and John Varvatos’ ‘jack purcell slip-ons’ today for 50 percent off at M&O… surprised they even had my sizes…
I think 50 percent off is what I look for, but I dislike high shipping prices that screw up a good deal.
50% off is aiming kinda high for me. At that level I’d almost never get the opportunity to buy anything 🙂
Very brave buying shoes online at a final (no returns/exchanges) sale. I don’t think I could do that no matter what percent off.
Oh, trust me, I winced when I pushed the ‘purchase’ botton, but I figured I’d unload them on eBay if they didn’t fit… And if they don’t fit (and you’re a size above or below a nine), then do I have a deal for you…!
I won’t buy unless something is either incredibly unique and I need it or I can get 50%+ off.
Shoes arrived today. Perfect fit… Whew! Risk-reward paid off.
Nice!
I completely ignore the original price. I simply think about “Is this item worth it to me at the price it’s being offered?” I don’t really care what someone tried unsuccessfully to sell it for in the past. Original price is NOT always that well correlated with quality