This time of year we are all bombarded with clever 'sales'. From 'Black Friday' and 'Cyber Monday' to 'Extended Sale' and 'Year-End Closeouts', but is it really a sale and are you really saving money?
Amazon and other online retailers post tremendous savings on a plethora of products. Big box retailers slash prices and print massive amounts of circulars and other communications to get their sales advertised. Even the Mom and Pops get in on the 'sale' frenzy.
There is a retailer in Houston who claims that they really will save you money today, and they are right. Literally every day they have a 'sale'. Take this past Thanksgiving as an example, they had their 'Pre-Thanksgiving Super Sale' which started the Monday prior to the holiday, the actual 'Thanksgiving Day Sale', then had 'Black Friday Super Sale' which coincided with the continuing 'Thanksgiving Day Super Sale' and then had a 'Cyber Monday' offering which rolled in tandem with the 'Extended Thanksgiving Day Super Sale' – more of a mouthful than all the turkey you consumed on the big day. And of course the whole 'sale' cycle will start over the Monday before Christmas and extend well into 2011.
So, over the course of twelve days this one retailer had six different 'sales' associated with Thanksgiving. Oh, and we forgot that on the day after 'Black Friday' they advertised that those 'deals' were extended. Guess they didn't sell out their allocated inventory on one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Which makes me wonder, was it that they were unable to sell those items that they advertised for 'Black Friday' or was it just a ploy?
Now don't get me wrong, every retailer has the right to do whatever it takes to make the register ring – of course, what is allowable by law. But at some point by advertising a sale every day, or every weekend, do people start to feel a wee bit like retailers are crying 'Wolf'. I for one do. Actually, it kind of turns me off.
Retailers like Barney's and Nordstrom have gained cult followings for their 'Half-Yearly' sales, I for one have taken advantage of these limited time engagements and savings. Is this a better way to create 'worth' for a 'sale'? I don't know. These 'sales' are branded well, advertised well, and communicated clearly. I like that.
Times are tough and people are holding on to their hard-earned money tighter than ever before. So retailers are having to work extra hard for every sale. Just don't fall for any bad deals that aren't really deals. They are out there, you can usually find them just follow the signs...they're usually in big red, or white, letters.
Bottom line: Do your homework and subscribe to the age-old saying 'Buyer Beware' that way you will have a lot less buyers remorse.
WE