It has come to the Debtress’s attention that certain commercial outlets are trying to lure their shoppers in (and pry our wallets open) with all-new “savings events” that really amount to nothing more than over-hyped regular weekly sales.

This recent post from CreditBloggers.com discusses the shopping scheme known as “Black October,” which seems to be just a premature version of Black Friday and not really a very good deal at all.

Avoiding the Hype

The rush of getting a really good bargain is pretty great, and part of the reason for that is because true bargains generally take a little legwork to find. Here are some pointers for distinguishing between real bargains and hyped-up quasi-sales:

• If it’s heavily advertised, it’s probably hype: Guess what, bargain seekers. Advertising costs money. If a store or company is exerting a lot of energy to create a new “sales event” or coin a new savings term (like “Black October”), proceed with caution. Many consumers will likely be drawn by the novelty, but if too much money goes into promoting something, you probably won’t be saving much at the register. These companies have their bottom lines to think about, after all.
• If you feel that “buy now or forever lose your chance” feeling, it’s probably hype: One way marketers trick us into spending more than we intend to is to create a false sense of urgency (which might involve making up new sales events, as mentioned above) and thus convince us that we must buy now or forever regret not doing so. But usually, you’ll have another chance. We all make worse financial decisions when we’re under stress or experiencing strong emotions.

So how can a consumer who’s just looking to save some money navigate the world of hype?

Tips for Finding Bargains Consistently

This smart shopping post from WiseBread.com offers some pointers for people interested in saving money on their everyday purchases.

• Learn to haggle: Negotiation, while not always fun, can lead to lower prices and better savings. The art of haggling requires a little chutzpah, a willingness to pay cash, and a friendly demeanor.
• Shop in the off-season: End-of-season sales are tough to beat, but they generally mean buying stuff that you won’t be able to use for several months. Learn to bear the pain of postponing enjoyment of your purchases, and you can end up a richer person.
• Look for secondhand goods: The double-whammy savings here is that hunting for clothes and other necessities at secondhand stores provides free entertainment and the potential to save serious money on stuff you need. If you don’t like the secondhand offerings in your neighborhood, do some research – areas with higher income levels tend to have higher quality goods in the “used” section.
• Learn to comparison shop smartly: The Internet is a valuable tool for comparison shoppers because it allows us to compare prices without burning valuable gasoline or wasting our precious hours. So commit to researching purchases before making them. That way, you’ll be confident in pulling the trigger when you see a good deal.

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