Decoding a price tag just got easier, but you're going to need your reading glasses for this one. The real deal is in the top right or bottom left corner.
“This is kind of an old fashioned, easy trick to figure out what's the store doing,” said Kyle James, Founder of Ratherbeshopping.com.
Let's start with Target. You walk in and for some, tunnel vision leads you right to the clearance section in apparel.
Thirty percent off signs seem enticing, but the two digit number in top right corner of the red "clearance" tag is what's important. Thirty means the item has been marked down 30 percent. 50 means 50 percent and so on up until 90.
Kyle James, founder of coupon website Ratherbeshopping.com says Target usually reduces unsold clearance items every 10-14 days.
“It’s definitely worth your time especially at a store you shop at say once a week where you're regularly going in there,” he said.
To help keep track, experts say suggest using Target's unofficial markdown calendar. Baby items on Monday, home décor and women’s clothing Tuesday, food and toys on Wednesday, shoes on Thursday and cosmetics on Friday.
I spent my younger years in a blue shirt at Best Buy and my sources tell me to look for code "C" in the bottom right corner. It means clearance and can likely be discounted further if you ask a store manager.
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“If they have a lot of items and they're on clearance there is absolutely a chance they can knock it off another 10-15 percent just by asking,” said James.
Another great tool to have with you when shopping is the ShopSavvy app. It’s free and easy to use. You just scan an item in the store, and it tells you which stores near you have it cheaper so you can ask the store manager or employee for a price match.
