The dark side of bargain hunting

Avoid costly mistakes when you shop

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Humans have an inherent desire to feel like they're getting a good bargain when making purchases. Whether it's negotiating a lower price at a market or waiting for a sale at a retail store, the satisfaction of getting a good deal can be incredibly rewarding. However, this desire can also lead us to make purchases that might not be as beneficial as we think.

Retailers often use pricing strategies to make it seem like we're getting a good deal when in reality, we might not be. For example, a product might be marked up before a sale so that the discounted price is actually the same or even higher than the original price. Or a retailer might offer a bundle deal that seems like a good value, but if we don't need all the items in the bundle, we're actually spending more money than necessary.

The need to feel like we're getting a good bargain can also lead to impulse purchases. We might buy something just because it's on sale, even if we don't really need or want it. This can lead to cluttered homes and wasted money.

So, how do we avoid falling into the trap of thinking we're getting a good bargain when we're not? The key is to do our research and be informed shoppers. Before making a purchase, we should compare prices at different retailers, read reviews, and consider our own needs and wants. We should also avoid making impulse purchases and only buy what we truly need and will use.

In the end, the satisfaction of getting a good deal is important, but it's equally important to make smart purchasing decisions that benefit us in the long run.

Or you could just join Tagpeak and start earning unlimited cashback on your shopping!

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4 things you might not know about discount seasons
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Discount seasons are often thought of as a time of joy and celebration for shoppers. They're a chance to snag great deals on products that might otherwise be out of reach. However, the reality is often far from the hype. With long lines, crowded stores, and the disappointment of not finding what you're looking for, discount seasons can be a frustrating experience for many consumers. Here are some real statistics that highlight the disappointment of discount seasons:

1. Only a fraction of products are actually on sale: According to research by RetailMeNot, during the 2021 Black Friday shopping event, only 32% of the products available for sale online were actually discounted. This means that for the majority of items, shoppers were paying the full price, despite the hype of a major sale event.

2. Product availability is often limited: Another frustration with discount seasons is the limited availability of products. During the same 2021 Black Friday shopping event, RetailMeNot found that 64% of shoppers reported finding out-of-stock products. This means that many shoppers may have missed out on the products they were hoping to purchase, despite the promise of great deals.

3. Discounts may not be as significant as expected: Even when products are on sale, the discounts may not be as significant as consumers expect. Research by Finder found that during the 2021 Black Friday shopping event, the average discount was only 20%. This means that even with the perceived value of a sale, shoppers may not actually be saving as much money as they think.

4. The shopping experience can be stressful: With crowds of shoppers, long lines, and often limited parking, the shopping experience during discount seasons can be incredibly stressful. According to a survey by RetailMeNot, 60% of consumers reported feeling stressed during the 2021 Black Friday shopping event.

In conclusion, while discount seasons may offer some great deals, they can often be a disappointing experience for many consumers. With limited availability, lower-than-expected discounts, and the stress of the shopping experience, it's important for shoppers to approach discount seasons with a level head and realistic expectations. By doing so, they can make informed decisions about their purchases and avoid the frustration and disappointment that often come with the hype of a sale event.

Or, they could just use Tagpeak instead and earn unlimited cashback on every purchase without any worries!