The Items You Should Never Buy On Amazon

The folks over at MarketWatch recently broke down all the worst items to buy on Amazon.com which I thought was really interesting. (See also: The Best Deals and Worst Buys on Amazon.com)

Here are a few bad buys at Amazon that caught my eye that I thought were worth mentioning.

1. Cleaning Products: Walmart wins practically every price comparison versus Amazon when it comes to products like Windex, Pledge, Lysol Wipes, and the like. The only exception that I found was on organic cleaning products as Amazon has some pretty good deals on those.
2. Clothes and Shoes: The discounts on apparel and shoes on Amazon fails miserably when compared to department stores. I agree on this one, especially when you start factoring in coupon codes that many online clothing retailers offer that can often get you 40-50% off the original price.
3. Home Goods: Home goods are often tricky to buy online because you can’t feel the quality, plus the prices on Amazon aren’t all the competitive. MarketWatch recommends shopping at stores like Home Goods, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls for the best deals.
4. Beauty Products: The bottom line here is to shop at your local drugstore or Walmart for the best deals on items like lipstick, eye shadow, mascara, and all makeup products for that matter. Amazon pricing tends to run 20-30% higher in most cases.

Have you also noticed bad pricing on these items at Amazon? If so, where do you typically find the best deals? Perhaps at Walmart or maybe at your local grocery store with coupons? Check out all of the tips by clicking on the Market Watch article below.

All The Hardware Stores That Price-Match Home Depot and Lowe’s

Technology is amazingly handy, especially when it comes to DIY YouTube videos that can help you with pretty much any job around the house. Another aspect that has changed the DIY landscape is the ability to use retailer’s price-match policies to ensure you get the lowest price on tools, hardware, and DIY supplies. Perhaps you’d rather shop at your local Ace, Menards, or True Value as they offer better customer service and are happy to avoid the cavernous aisles at Home Depot or Lowe’s.

If you fall into this category, you might as well get the lower Home Depot or Lowe’s price (if they have one). It’s with this in mind, that I present all of the hardware stores, or stores with a significant hardware aisle, that’ll happily price-match Home Depot and Lowe’s.

Ace Hardware

Most Ace Hardware stores are independently owned, and many absolutely will price match. Find out if the Ace in your area price matches Home Depot and Lowe’s be simply asking or do a quick Google search. If they do, they most likely follow these guidelines:

• If you find a lower price on an identical item, at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s, just bring in their current ad and they’ll match their price.
• If HD or Lowe’s is offering a percent off discount, they’ll match the final net price the competitor is offering.
• Exclusions: Labor charges, closeouts, special orders, discontinued items, clearance, liquidation or damaged items.
• They will limit to reasonable consumer quantities. So don’t abuse it.

The takeaway here is to always inquire at your local Ace Hardware to determine if they offer a price match policy.

Home Hardware

With 19 retail locations spread across Canada, Home Hardware offers a Price Match Promise at all of there stores.

• Simply bring evidence of the lower price to any Home Hardware employee.
• They reserve the right to exclude significantly below cost competition loss leader pricing.
• Because lumber grading varies by location, they will not price match lower lumber grade quality from competitors.
• They also reserve the right to limit quantities to an amount reasonable for a residential homeowner.

Lamps Plus

When it comes to fans, lighting, chandeliers, and home decor, the folks at Lamps Plus will absolutely price match. Here’s what you need to know.

• The lower price must be advertised within 60 days of the date of your purchase.
• They’ll actually give you an additional discount of 20% of the price difference.
• Can’t be redeemed in conjunction with other coupons, discounts or promotions.

Menards

If you like to shop at Menards, and you’re NOT price matching Home Depot and Lowes, there is a great chance you’re overspending. Here’s what you need to know:

• You are not required to provide the local competitor’s ad for us to honor the price.
• Items purchased must be identical size, quantity, brand, flavor, color, etc.
• Menards reserves the right to limit price matches to reasonable quantities.
• Exclusions: Ads when the actual price cannot be determined, competitor ads from outside of the store’s local market, “going out of business” sales or “close out” prices.

Orchard Supply Hardware

Located in California and Oregon, Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH) has long been a favorite of mine. Great selection of products, but more importantly, outstanding customer service. Here isthere price-match policy:

• Item at must identical and they reserve the right to limit quantities.
• Exclusions: Bonus or free offers, special offers, rebates, financing offers, clearance, and closeout items.
• OSH will not match Home Depot or Lowe’s pricing that result from a price match or online purchase.

Sears

While Sears carries many in-house tool brands like Craftsman, there is definitely some overlap with items carried by Home Depot and Lowe’s. And the good news is they’ll price match those items if the two warehouse giants carry them for less.

• If you have a Home Depot or Lowe’s in your local area, they’ll match their price either at time of purchase or within 14 days of purchase. Just bring in price evidence to any sales associate.
• The competitor’s price must be offered on the same date as the date of your purchase.
• The price match is only eligible on the day you make your purchase.

Amazon No Longer Offers 7-Day Price Protection (But Not All Hope Is Lost)

I come today bearing bad news for loyal Amazon shoppers. As of early May 2016, Amazon is no longer offering 7-day price protection on your purchases. Apparently this was never an “official” policy, and was offered as a one-time exception at the discretion of chat operators and customer service reps. But the fact of the matter is, they almost always gave you a price adjustment if an item you just purchased went down in price.

But unfortunately, no longer. With one exception that is…new TV’s. Amazon now gives you 30-day price protection on any TV purchase, just as long as the order is fulfilled by Amazon and not a 3rd party seller. Also, when it comes to TV’s, they’ll price match a long list of online retailers, they call it their TV Low Price Guarantee. You’ll definitely want to take advantage of this new policy when you can.

So….Now What? A Camel to the Rescue

But alas, all hope is not lost, you’re just going to have to change your Amazon shopping strategyslightly. Instead of requesting the price protection after the fact, you’re going to have to get good at buying when the item is at it’s lowest price. Here’s what I mean…

So if you shop regularly on Amazon, you’re aware that their prices change all the time, which was why it was nice to have “price protection” in your back pocket. But since you don’t any more, it’s become much more important to be sure you’re getting the lowest price at the time of your purchase.

The absolute best way to do this is to become proficient with the site CamelCamelCamel.com. This site “monitors millions of Amazon products and alerts you when prices drop, helping you decide when to buy.” It also allows you to view the price history of over 18 million Amazon products so you know just how low the price of a particular item should go and shop accordingly.

Will Amazon hear the backlash from shoppers and start offering price adjustments again? Only time will tell. But in the meantime, go create your free Camel account today, or download theirBrowser Add-On and start saving money by only buying when the price is right.

Happy savings.

11 Freaking Awesome Ways to Save Money at Walmart

Walmart is the 2nd biggest retailer in the known world. With that said, it constantly surprises me how many shoppers assume the Walmart price is the lowest thus there is no need to try and find clever hacks to save even more money. Well, I’m here to tell you that the low everyday price at Walmart is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to saving a buck or two. Here are 11 awesomely clever ways to maximize your savings at your local Wally World.

1. Crack the Walmart Price Tag Code

Did you know you can tell if a clearance item at Walmart is about to go even cheaper simply by looking at the price tag? According to an anonymous Walmart employee tip, here is what you need to know to crack the price tag code:

• Price ending with a 7 is typically the original price. Examples include $2.97 or $5.57. Know that you’re paying full price if you see a price ending in 7.
• Price ending with a 5 is the 1st markdown price. Examples include $3.25 or $19.95. This price is better than the above obviously, but not the cheapest the item may potentially go.
• Price ending with a 1 is the FINAL markdown price. Examples include $4.91 or $57.01. This is the holy grail at Walmart and is the cheapest price the item will go.

The key takeaway from this information is to check inventory levels and buy accordingly. If you find a product with an ending price of 5, and there is ample inventory on the shelf, it will probably be worth your while to wait and come back when it is even cheaper.

2. Look For Clearance Deals (Not in the Clearance Section)

So this tip is gonna sound a little counter-intuitive. Don’t go looking for the best clearance deals in the actual clearance section at Walmart, especially when shopping for consumer electronics. Instead, look down low in the glass cases/cabinets in your local Walmart’s electronics section.

I got this tip from a current Walmart employee who said, “Most marked down, high end electronics are held in cabinets near or under their respective items. Most reduced items are not displayed and rarely have price tags. Ask to see their clearance specifically in cases. At the change of major seasons many older model items will be switched out for newer ones.”

Turns out this is where they store excess inventory, and they also use the glass case as a theft deterrent. I personally have found big deals on Samsung tablets, GPS units, high-end external hard drives, and Bluetooth speakers. All of which were priced below Amazon.com. It should also be pointed out that not every Walmart is set up with the cases/cabinets in the electronics department but it’s always worth a look.

3. Find Screaming Refurbished Deals

A fantastic way to save money at Walmart, especially on electronics, is to buy refurbished items that still come with the manufacturer’s warranty. But how do you find these refurbished deals? It actually couldn’t be easier, yet most Walmart shoppers have no clue how to find them. All you have to do is simply type in “Refurbished” into the search bar on Walmart.com and you’ll instantly be connected to some amazing deals.

Right now you can find a refurbished HP laptop for $100 off, a Xbox One console for $40 off, and a 39″ Vizio LED HDTV for only $169.99. Pretty awesome savings.

4. Shop Early in the Morning

This is especially true for grocery meats according to CBS News. “Normally, by 8 a.m., the meat department has discounted their meat, and you can grab some great deals.” For the average Walmart shopper this means that by shopping early, you’ll get first dibs on the best deals.

5. Get FREE Money Back on Coupons

From the Walmart site, “If coupon value exceeds the price of the item, the excess may be given to the customer as cash or applied toward the basket purchase.” For example, if you use a coupon at Walmart for $2 off a box of Fruity Pebbles, and the cereal is on sale for $1.75, you’d actually get $0.25 back to be used on the balance of your purchase. Even Fred Flintstone would like that deal. BTW, in case you hadn’t guessed, I love me some Fruity Pebbles.

The Legitimate Reasons Why Some Shoppers Hate Costco

Most folks love to shop at Costco as it offers some great ways to save money if you know what you’re doing. (See: Costco Shopping Tips That’ll Save You Time and Money) But as with any store, some shoppers don’t like certain aspects of shopping in the warehouse. So when I stumbled upon a MarketWatch article talking about the reasons some folks hate shopping at Costco, it piqued my curiosity. Here are a few of the reasons why some shoppers hate Costco that I found the most interesting.

Oh…the Lines

According to Consumer Reports, the slow checkout process at Costco irks many shoppers. I actually think this one has gotten better in recent years as many smart Costco shoppers avoid the weekend if at all possible. Unless of course, they shop late in the afternoon on a Sunday during the NFL season when the warehouse is practically empty.

Only One Credit Card Option

Yeah, I kinda get this one. For a long time Costco had an exclusive deal with American Express. But as of June 20th, 2016, they switched over to Visa which has made a lot of shoppers happy, especially those who use their Visa card to collect airline miles. You can use the following forms of payment at Costco: Cash, personal check, debit/ATM cards, Costco cash cards, Costco Credit cards, EBT, and your Visa credit card.

Little Shopping Advice

Some shoppers that hate the warehouse dislike the lack of employees on the floor who can help them decide which bottle of wine to buy or which HDTV has the most bang for your buck. The good news is you can use your smartphone to find reviews on Amazon. CNET, or just do a generic Google search for the product name followed by the word “review” and you’re bound to find some useful info to help you with your buying decision.

Once It’s Gone, It’s Gone

If I had to pick the one thing about Costco that I dislike the most, this would probably be it. Not because I missed out on the sold-out Sam Adams Summer Brew, but because it creates a false sense of urgency in shoppers. Don’t buy something because it “may” be gone soon, but rather because you have an actual need for the item. Otherwise you’ll end up with 4 huge bottles of Jose Cuervo Grapefruit/Tangerine Margaritas that’ll you never drink. My wife fell in love with this drink a few summers ago and we stocked up BIG-TIME. Then she decided they gave her a sour stomach and now they sit lonely in our pantry.

No Shopping Bags

I’m cool with this one, especially since the boxes they use are actually easier for carrying heavy items. At my house, shopping bags just up in the recycle bin anyways.

Ask the Reader:  Would any of these reasons be enough to keep you from paying $55 for a Costco membership? (See also: The Best Costco Deals That’ll Easily Pay For Your Membership)

7 Reasons Some Shoppers Hate Costco  |  Market Watch

Wallets Now Optional at Many Walmart Locations

In seven states, you no longer need to bring along your wallet to shop at the local Walmart.

No, I’m not talking about becoming a shop-lift artist, I’m talking about using the Walmart Pay option. Walmart Pay allows you to upload your payment information directly into the Walmart app and simply use your smartphone to pay at checkout.

The seven southern states where this has become a reality include Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. Look for this to go national in the next 12 months.

Once you enter your credit card information into the app, all you have to do is open the Walmart app (iOS, Android), enter your PIN, and hold your phone over the code to scan. Done. Pick up your bags and leave. You’ll then get your e-receipt shortly via email.

Using your smartphone to complete purchases is not a brand spanking new technology. The trend started with Apple Pay and has since grown to individual retail chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts.

But…buyer beware. Retailers know that the easier they make it for you to complete purchases, the more likely you’ll be to buy stuff you don’t necessarily need. Or worse yet, make it easy to forget what exactly you’ve purchased and how it affected your monthly budget. Molly Blakeman, a Walmart spokesperson, essentially reaffirmed this, “One day we hope that people don’t remember if they purchased something online or in a Walmart store because it’s so seamless.”

Ask the Reader:  Have you ever used your smartphone to make a purchase?

Frugal Hack #35: Amazon Rewards Visa Trick to Get More Points

If you have the Amazon Rewards Visa Card from Chase you’re already aware that you get 3% back on Amazon purchases, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, and 1% back on all other purchases. But when it comes time to redeem your Amazon reward points, did you know that there’s a REALLY clever way to get even more points added to your account? A way that Amazon is hoping you never consider.

If you have the Amazon Rewards Visa Card from Chase you’re already aware that you get 3% back on Amazon purchases, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, and 1% back on all other purchases. But when it comes time to redeem your Amazon reward points, did you know that there’s a REALLY clever way to get even more points added to your account? A way that Amazon is hoping you never consider.

Essentially, you’re given several options when it comes to redeeming your points. Many shoppers, if not most, will simply opt to use their points on an Amazon purchase which will reduce the price of the item they’re buying. We can probably chalk it up to instant gratification. Well, I’m here to tell you…DO NOT ever do this again. Instead, use the cash back option (or statement credit) every time, and earn more points in the process. Here’s a quick breakdown of why.

If you use your points towards an Amazon purchase, be aware that you won’t be getting all of the reward points possible. For example, if your points bring a $300 item down to $220, you’ll score 660 reward points on the purchase ($220 x 3). But if you cash out your points, or request a statement credit, then use your card to make the same $300 purchase, you’ll end up with 900 points instead of 660. ($300 x 3). Remember, you’ll get the same dollar amount whether you cash out or redeem points directly on an Amazon purchase, making this trick a total no-brainer.

So that ends up being 240 more reward points by simply changing how you redeem your points. If you’re a loyal Amazon shopper, the extra points by doing this little trick will add up quickly and can definitely be significant over the course of a few months.

Happy savings.