You see, clearance is a tacit recognition of a mutual appreciation between you and Target. You want a particular item at a lower price than normal, and the store wants to relieve themselves of a product that for whatever reason is going south for the winter. The only sticking point is what are you willing to pay and will the item still be there when that percentage is reached?
Well, I have seen it all at Target, from the people who try to hide clearance items, to the people who peel off clearance stickers, to the people who keep an eye on their items daily, just in case they hit that magic percentage. If you’re one of those people who troll for clearance, this journal entry is for you.
The first rule of thumb for clearance is that you have to know where it is. Usually, if it has recently been put on clearance you can find it in its regular location with a clearance label on it. This is when it has hit its first markdown. Don’t check the endcaps. That’s where it all goes once it no longer has a regular location, and when it has hit its second markdowns.
That’s when you have to watch out for the sharks, the ones who hover around the clearance endcaps like its spring break and the endcap is Maui. If you’re going to get your item, this is when it should be done, to avoid the sharks. If you want it for more off than that (probably 30-50%) percentage off, it will be extremely tough from here on out to either find the item on that endcap, or anywhere in the store.
I myself am a savvy shopper of clearance. If I would normally buy something then it goes on my clearance “watch list.” If it is a frivolous buy, it goes on my “no watch list,”even when doing that is really hard. Those Beyblades are just so appealing when they’re 75% off, even if I know I will never do anything with them. So I force myself to leave them right where they are, along with the Hello Kitty flashlight, the suede gloves, and the Christmas tablecloth fringed in holly.
So, the next time you’re at Target looking for clearance, be sure you avoid the sharks by setting your price ahead of time, by checking the regular locations first, and by sticking to your “watch list.” Happy hunting.
Sam
Sam's Online Journal 