There are some items you should never pay full price for!
Unless there’s something with a designer’s name there and you really, truly want it right this second, there’s almost never a need to pay full price for a product. It sounds a bit weird, I know, but in this incredible discount-shopping era we live in, it’s easier than ever to score a fantastic deal on almost anything you can imagine. The rise of the internet and price-comparison tools has shifted the power into our hands, the consumers. We’re no longer limited to what one local store is charging; we have a global marketplace at our fingertips, which means retailers have to compete fiercely for our business. This competition is your best friend when it comes to saving money.
If an item you desire isn’t currently on sale, that doesn’t mean you’ve hit a dead end. In many cases, you can negotiate. The first and most crucial step in this entire process is to politely and confidently ask the seller if there are any “additional promotions” or “flexible pricing options” they can offer you. It’s a soft, non-confrontational way to open the door to a discount. Not many people know this, but particular home improvement stores, for instance, often empower their cashiers or floor managers to cut as much as $50 off a big-ticket item to close a deal with a customer, ensuring they won’t walk out and go to a competitor. The same principle applies to furniture stores, independent electronics shops, and even car dealerships. They would rather make a slightly smaller profit than no profit at all.
I’m a strong believer that you can get almost anything you want if you approach the situation with the right strategy. This means being informed about the product’s typical price, having a big, genuine smile on your face to build rapport, and, of course, showing a little kindness and respect. A friendly attitude can make a salesperson *want* to help you find a way to save. Speaking of money-saving and the art of negotiation, I’ve spent years compiling a list of things you should absolutely never pay full price for, and because sharing is caring, I want to share it with you. Here it is:
1. Broadway musical tickets
I’m a huge fan of Broadway musicals, and while I completely get that the ticket prices reflect the immense talent and effort that goes into every single performance, I’m not always thrilled about paying the full sticker price. It can be prohibitively expensive! So, if you want to be savvier with your theater budget, a great trick is to log onto a reselling app, such as StubHub or TodayTix, just one to two hours before the show is scheduled to start. You’ll often notice a sudden drop in prices as sellers get desperate to offload their inventory. You’ll find several options for buying cheaper tickets from season ticket holders who can’t make it.
Since many premium tickets aren’t sold in time for the show, the box office and official vendors don’t want to let those seats go to waste. An empty seat earns nothing, but a discounted seat still earns revenue and contributes to a full, energetic house for the performers. Beyond last-minute apps, look into official TKTS booths in New York City for same-day discounts, or enter digital and in-person lotteries for popular shows. You might also score big with “rush tickets,” sold on the day of the show directly at the box office. You might be incredibly lucky and pay a fraction of the original price, and you’ll have the time of your life watching those impressive, world-class shows!
2. Cars
This is a big one. Whether you are getting a brand-new or a pre-owned vehicle from a dealer or a private seller, you should never, ever pay the initial asking price. Cars are already incredibly expensive, and the sticker price almost always has wiggle room built in. According to industry sources, dealers are most motivated to offer discounts at the end of the month, the end of the quarter, and especially the end of the calendar year. They are laser-focused on making their sales quotas to earn significant bonuses. In order to achieve these goals, they’re far more likely to provide you with a generous discount. Another prime time to buy is in late summer or early fall when the next year’s models are arriving on the lot; they need to clear out the “old” inventory fast.
Furthermore, don’t just negotiate the price; negotiate the entire package. You can ask them for an extra upgrade, especially if you purchase a new car that is already stretching your budget. They might be willing to throw in an extra accessory like all-weather floor mats, a cargo net, or even a set of winter tires for free. If you are buying from a private seller, do your homework on the car’s value using a site like Kelley Blue Book. You can then directly ask for a discount, and you might be lucky to purchase an automobile for at least $500 less than the intended price, especially if you can point out minor cosmetic flaws or upcoming maintenance needs.
3. Gym memberships
If you’re looking to sign up for a gym membership, especially during the summer, you should never pay full price for it. This is a classic example of supply and demand working in your favor. Since many people abandon their New Year’s resolutions once the hot weather hits and outdoor activities become more appealing, gyms often find themselves with lower attendance. To entice new members, you’re more likely to get a major discount, a waived initiation fee, or even a month or two for free.
Don’t just limit your deal-hunting to the summer, though. The end of the month is always a good time to negotiate, as sales reps are trying to hit their quotas. Also, be sure to ask about any available corporate, student, or family discounts. The single most negotiable part of a gym contract is often the “initiation fee” or “enrollment fee,” which can be hundreds of dollars. Politely ask if they can waive it to get you to sign up today. Many times, they will, as it’s often pure profit for them anyway. Always ask for a free trial pass for a few days or a week to make sure you actually like the facility before committing.
4. TVs and home theaters
Do you dream of watching the latest blockbuster movies at home with a huge batch of delicious, buttery popcorn? A big-screen TV or a fancy, immersive home theater system will absolutely take your viewing experience to the next level! However, these high-tech items can be pretty expensive, with top-tier models running into the thousands. But that doesn’t mean you should pay a lot for them or abandon your dream. With a little patience and strategic timing, you can get a phenomenal setup without breaking the bank.
Pay close attention to the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl in late January and early February. This is the perfect time to get a large gadget at a more affordable price, as retailers know everyone wants the biggest and best screen for the big game. Of course, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are also prime times for electronics deals. You should never pay full price for these items, especially when you can get them for around 15% less, and often much more. This usually applies to older or last year’s models, but the technological difference is often negligible for the average viewer, while the savings are significant. Also, don’t overlook “open-box” deals from reputable stores, which are essentially new products that were returned and can’t be sold as “new” anymore.
…Speaking of popcorn, if you want to turn your living room into a gorgeous cinema theater, check out this air popcorn maker! It makes the most delicious and healthy snack. You have to give it a try!
5. Swimwear
Even though we are often just talking about a tiny piece of fabric, swimwear tends to be surprisingly expensive, especially from designer or boutique brands. But you should absolutely never pay full price for it. The markup can be astronomical. Whether you need some new swim shorts, a fantastic bikini top or bottom, a stylish one-piece, or anything in between, it’s best to practice a little patience and wait until early August to get your desired items. Timing is everything here.
Once the bulk of the summer holidays is over and stores are looking ahead to fall fashion, swimwear goes on deep clearance. You can easily save around 40% to 70% on board shorts, one-piece swimsuits, budgie smugglers, cover-ups, and everything else you need to have a wonderful time on the beach. Another pro strategy is to shop completely off-season. Buying a swimsuit in the dead of winter, like October or November, might feel strange, but that’s when you’ll find the absolute best rock-bottom prices online as retailers clear out the last of their lingering inventory.
6. Towels and bed linen
Here’s a fun fact: back in the 19th century, department store pioneer John Wanamaker came up with the idea for a “white sale” in January to sell household linens, which were only available in white at the time. The goal was to boost slumping sales after the Christmas rush. Amazingly, the majority of department stores still carry on this odd but wonderful custom today. So, if you go shopping for linens soon after January 1st, you’ll see massive sales with deals of up to 50% or more off on towels, sheets, duvet covers, and comforters. There’s no need to pay full price for these necessary products when you have these predictable white sales to count on!
January isn’t the only good time, though. Keep an eye out during major holiday weekend sales events, especially those focused on the home. Additionally, the back-to-school season in late summer is another fantastic opportunity to find deals on bedding, particularly twin XL sizes for dorm rooms, but other sizes are often marked down as well. Look for “bed-in-a-bag” sets, which can offer incredible value by bundling sheets, a comforter, and pillow shams together for one low price.
7. Cookware
Cookware is one of those essential household categories you should never buy at full price. It’s a definite necessity if you plan on cooking at home, sure, but you can find incredible products from top-tier brands at deeply discounted rates if you just know when to look. Just like linens, many retailers tend to heavily discount cookware in the fall, as they market these items as perfect gifts for the holidays, and also because people tend to cook more as the weather cools down. Black Friday is an especially amazing time to snag a deal on everything from a single non-stick skillet to a full stainless steel set.
Other key times include late spring and early summer, targeting both Mother’s Day and the wedding registry season. When deciding what to buy, consider whether you need a full set or just a few key individual pieces. A set can offer great value, but you might end up with pots or pans you’ll never use. A smarter, long-term strategy can be to buy high-quality individual pieces when they go on sale, slowly building a custom collection that perfectly suits your cooking style. And don’t forget to check out factory outlet stores for premium brands like Le Creuset or All-Clad, where you can find first-quality items for significantly less.
8. Clothes
Did you know that the lifecycle of a piece of clothing in a retail store is often surprisingly short? After new apparel arrives at a store, it will typically sit on the racks at full price waiting for someone to take it home for only about six to eight weeks. After that period, the first markdowns usually begin. Of course, there are always exceptions for hot-selling items or core basics, but if you don’t want to pay full price for most fashion items, it doesn’t hurt to exercise some patience and wait for them to go on sale.
If you want to save some more and get the best selection, professional shoppers recommend planning your trip to the mall on a Thursday. Why Thursday? Because that’s when most stores apply their markdowns and set up the sales for the upcoming weekend rush. You get the first pick of the discounted items before the crowds descend on Friday and Saturday. Another key strategy is to always shop off-season: buy your winter coats in March and April, and your shorts and sandals in September and October. Finally, always sign up for your favorite store’s email list to get exclusive coupon codes and early access to sales.
9. Gift cards
This is a money-saving hack that feels like getting free money. If you want to give someone a gift card, or even use one for your own shopping, you don’t need to pay full price for it. You can almost always get it for less on a legitimate gift card trading site like GiftCardGranny, Raise, or CardCash. On these platforms, you can find a huge variety of gift cards that people have received but don’t want, and they’re selling them at a discount to get cash instead.
This is a fantastic win-win situation. The original owner receives cash for an unwanted card, and you get a card with a 5%, 10%, or even 15% bonus to spend at a store you love. The real pro move, however, is to buy discounted gift cards for your *own* planned purchases. For example, if you know you need to spend $100 at a specific clothing or home improvement store, first go to a reseller site and buy a $100 gift card for that store for, say, $90. You’ve just created your own 10% off coupon that can be stacked with any other sales or promotions the store is offering.
10. Lawnmowers
Large seasonal items are a goldmine for discounts if you buy them at the right time. Home improvement stores need to keep bulky items like lawnmowers in stock all spring and summer, but once the season wraps up in early September, you can score a fantastic deal! These stores have limited warehouse space and they don’t want to store huge, expensive items through the fall and winter. According to experts, you can anticipate seeing them marked down significantly to move inventory and make room for snowblowers and holiday decorations.
The offers will typically begin right after Labor Day at approximately 10-15% off and will increase quickly as autumn deepens and winter approaches, potentially reaching 30% or more. This same logic applies to other seasonal gear like barbecue grills and patio furniture. So, while you don’t need to pay full price for an important gadget like this, you still have to move fast once the sales start. The selection will dwindle quickly, so if you have a specific model in mind, start checking prices weekly as soon as summer ends.
11. Furniture
Every home needs furniture to feel complete, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay a fortune to make your space cozy, functional, and beautiful. In fact, furniture has some of the highest markups in retail, which means there’s always room for a discount. Many interior firms and large retailers tend to release their new styles and collections in February and August. Consequently, you can expect massive clearance sales of 30% to even 60% in the months just before, particularly in January and July. They simply have to make room for the new collection, and deep discounts are the fastest way to fire up people’s desire to shop.
Beyond these clearance events, major holiday weekends are your best friend. Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day are all famous for their huge furniture sales. And don’t be afraid to negotiate, especially at smaller or local furniture stores. If you can’t get them to budge on the price, try asking them to throw in free delivery, which can easily save you $100 or more. Also, always inspect the floor models. If you find one with a tiny, barely visible scratch on the back, you have powerful leverage to ask for an additional discount.
Do you know any other items you shouldn’t pay full price for? We all love a good deal at the office, so now it’s your turn to spill the beans! What’s your best-kept secret for snagging a bargain? Share your wisdom in the comments below—we’re all ears and ready to save! If you found this article helpful and would like to check out something else from The Price Makers, I think you’ll love this one:
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One Response
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