9 Retail Store Tricks Costing You Money

FTC: This post is not sponsored and I am not a financial advisor. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Most of us right now are quarantined in our homes due the Corona virus, which means while we are social distancing we are probably also shopping online quite a bit. This means, especially now more than ever I need to make you aware of the retail store tricks that big business and brands are pulling that are costing you money. 

In reading this I hope you're able to pick up on a few of the retail store tricks (both online and in person... if we ever get back to that li bfe) and avoid them. As always you definitely want to make sure you are avoiding impulse shopping and really make sure you're spending with intent. If you need some extra help saving money you can sign up for our money saving challenge here (save $1,000 in 8 weeks)

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9 Retail Store Tricks Costing You Money

1. Huge Sale Sign

We are visual creatures, so it is no surprise that hanging huge sale signs in the massive display windows is a tactic that big box retail would employ in order to get your hard earned coin. The huge sale signs are used to not only get your attention, but to make you think that everything you're going to buy today in that store is a deal. Nothing trickier than that little "up to" that is written so surreptitiously at the bottom of the sign. No... not everything is 50% off... and trust me you probably don't need anything in that store at all... sale or no sale. 

2. Limited Time Offer Scam

In addition to the huge sale sign, another major retail store trick is convincing its consumers that this deal is a limited time offer. Out of the 32 years that I've been on this Earth, and the approximately 17 years that I've been shopping, I've only run into one actually limited time offer. For the most part the "deals" that have an expiration date, will likely go back on sale at another time for a deeper discount. 

3. Colorful Displays

The majority of society is very visual, which is why we are all so in love with Pinterest, purchase 4K TVs and cameras, and fawn over aesthetically pleasing Instagram feeds. We eat, and shop with our eyes. Keep that as a solid reminder when you walk by a really bright sign, or walk into a store. Retail stores thrive on making you 1) lose track of time 2) spend more money absentmindedly. This means using cool/calming colors to put you at ease as you walk through the aisles picking up things you definitely don't need. 

4. Location Of Essentials

This was a retail store trick I recently learned about, and that is LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! When you walk into a supermarket, you will often find the location of the essentials are in the back. Even if you stick to the perimeter of the market for the healthier food options, you will often times find that you have to walk to the rear perimeter to get to the milk, eggs, cheese, juice and bread. This means you will be walking through 90% of the store before you get to the things that you really need/ came in for. That retail store trick is sneaky, but once you start paying attention to these retail store tricks, you will find that no level of distraction will work on you. 

5. Promotional Items

Macys is known for doing this one a lot and I'm sure many other retailers as well. They offer you a promotional item if you make a specific purchase, or purchase for a specific amount. Apple did something like this when it first bought Beats by Dre. They'd offer a "free" pair of headphones if you purchased a computer. While these promotional items may seem exciting and "free" they do come at a cost. That laptop isn't free and that Macy's purchase isn't either. 

6. Sample Stations 

A majority of us can say that we have been got by the BJ's and Costco samples around every corner aisle. And I think it is safe to say that all of us really love free stuff. So it is not surprising that adding in sample stations to big box retail has been a main stay for quite some time. By giving you a little something something to wet your appetite, all they're doing is getting you to spend more money. The more you fall in love with the sample, the more coin you are putting into their pocket. Remember they are not giving you something free for no reason. They are doing it in hopes that you will spend that dollar that you so safely budgeted away. 

7. Free Shipping 

This is one of, if not my favorite retail store trick, because it is the one I fall victim to the most even though I am well aware of how much of a scam it is. Offering free shipping if you spend X amount dollars has got to be one of the oldest and most frequently used retail store trick on the planet. I've currently got vitamins in my Target cart waiting for checkout, but I keep starting at that 5.99 shipping being added to the total. If I just spend a bit more ($35 dollars to be exact) then I can get that $5.99 waived. But in reality my vitamins are only 14 dollars, and spending ab extra $19 dollars in order to remove the $5.99 shipping and handling fee is absurd. 

8. Overspend For A Discount 

Right on the heels of the previous retail store trick, I receive countless messages in my inbox (unsubscribe from retail newsletters folks... it'll save you money in the long run trust me) promising huge discounts if I spend a certain amount. You'e seen these deals in many forms. My favorite is the different tiers offered, in which the most spent money seems like it is getting the biggest deal. When in reality ... they all are costing you money you idon'thave to spend. So no... I won't spend 80 dollars to get 25 percent off, and I won't spend 150  to get 35% off. Instead I'll spend zero, and keep that money in my savings. 

9. Pricy Items At Eye Level

This is another new retail store trick I wasn't aware of until not too long ago. Retail stores often will put pricier items or pricier versions of items at eye level, while they put the cheaper (or should I say fiscally responsible cost) item above or below eye level. Another tactic that retail stores will employ along the same vein, is putting three of the same type of item with 3 various prices. This way when you choose the cheaper version of the item you think you are saving money, when in all actuality they have likely manipulated you into purchasing an item you don't need at all. 

Next time you go shopping, pay attention to these retail store tricks that are costing you money without you even realizing. Knowledge is the key, and wit the knowledge of these tricks it will be really hared for retailers to pull a fast one on you. If you found this helpful, don't forget to share with your friends, family and nosey neighbors. You can also sign up for our newsletter here to get all the updated info and our latest announcements, Sign up here! 

Until Next time,