Your Guide to Enjoy the Terrible Economy

Economy in U.S is going down the drain which is leaving some people to suffer while others are enjoying. People who are enjoying are either really rich, or really smart. I know I am not rich, but I can tell you that I am smart. I enjoy life because I am not broke. The reason behind that is almost everywhere I go, I manage to get heavy discounts, or freebies. Sometimes both. I think if I can do it, so can you. Therefore I am going to share some of my tricks with you.

In general, when people go out to buy things, they don’t do their research. They just go to the store that is close to them, and just buy the thing at a price stated. Do you know that stores like Macys, Sears, Best Buy all have their bargains and special discounts that they can offer you. But not every person get it because they don’t have certain type of personality.

Before you walk in the store, make sure you have done your research. If you are buying a laptop then search it in all the competitor store and see their prices. Always check for places like Slickdeals.net

Things you need to have when you walk in the store

• A mindset that if you don’t get the product here, you can always go somewhere else.
• Open Mind.
• Knowledge of companies bylaws. (Pretty geeky but it helps)
• Friendliness
• Confidence in yourself.
• Obviously MONEY.

I always tend to make an impression to the person that I know what I am talking about. Even though I am clueless. But then I inquire about the product. Ask them questions. Don’t treat the sales person like an idiot. If you are nice to them, they will be nice to you. I mean this one representative at the Best Buy store, told me about a $100 discount. I was very nice to him. I talked to him for a while, and in the end he is like. We are not suppose to encourage this discount, but we have this available if you want it. I am like sweet, so now I got a $100 discount on my laptop.

How did I manage to get it? Well first I talked to multiple associates. I like to know what everyone thinks, so I ask them all at different times as I walk around. I also ask each one if they have discounts available. It took me an hour to buy a laptop that I could have bought in 5 minutes, but I saved $100 by just walking around and talking to different associates.

Another example would be at Macys, They were giving out $10 gift cards to their first 100 customers. On each door there was a person giving out the card. But do you know that they really give $10 gift cards to each 100 customers entering from that door. People don’t even go to the store thinking it will be a big line. So this is what I did. I got there early. Store opened and I got the $10 certificate from one entrance. Went around to the other entrance got another one. After 15 minutes the store was opened, I had $70 in gift certificates. What you know I bought myself a nice outfit. With a little walking around the store, I lost some weight (That is a plus), and I saved money.

Lets look at the scenario of me at Dillards bargaining for a perfume set that I want to buy for my mom. Now this is a freakin $80 perfume set. With the economy and as a college student who have that much money to spend on mom’s gift. I mean come on, you have to give gifts to so many people when you have a big family like mine. So I bargained with the girl at the counter what I get with this $80 perfume set. She is like you get some free samples. Well, I said no I want a free gift with it. (You know they do have them, the employees are not encouraged to tell you that). Well then I just talked to the manager, and she gave me the set for $65 ($15 off) plus with the gift, and free samples. Big money I just saved there myself. Key point to be noted: Don’t be afraid to talk to the manager. Now I wasn’t creating any trouble. I was just asking if that was possible.

I went grocery shopping at a local store Publix. I had a good experience, so I wrote to their corporate office telling them how nice my experience was. Next thing you know they sent me bunch of coupons. I have about 50 coupons that says Save a $1 off any $1 purchase or more. I got a publix bag, and a pen. Insane isn’t it. So write to the corporate office and give them your review.

I eat out a lot. Considering I am a college student who doesn’t know how to cook. Whats new. Anyways with this economy eating out is almost impossible. I still manage to do that. You know why? Because I go to the same stores over and over. I give them good feedback. I am a customer they remember, so I always end up getting a discount. There were few times that I even got the meal for free.

Price matching is essential. I am sure you hate Mail In Rebates as well as I do. Well they are a pain in the ass process. You have to mail the stuff to get your money back. So technically you are wasting your time, money on mailing, etc etc. Just ask the people if they have instant rebate instead. Another thing I do is find the product cheaper somewhere else. But go to the store nearest to my house. Then I just talk to the manager. Most stores match competitor prices. I bought my Vaio which was suppose to be $1400 at Best Buy, but it was $1149 at office max with a mail in rebate. I came to Best Buy and talked to their manager in a very calm tone. He gave me the laptop for $1099 with Instant Rebate there… So I saved myself $50.

So the Key points you need to understand is:

Ask for Discounts
Ask multiple people who work at these places

And you will save all this money, but still have the latest stuff that your heat desire. The economy is not only hurting you, but it is hurting the stores. They want you to shop, so take advantage of this. The corporate makes rules like Gifts with perfumes or what not, but employees are encouraged not to discuss it. Who does it benefit, the employees because they get to keep the gifts which are left over. So by asking you are just doing yourself a favor.