I hope this thread stays active, as posters share their hints and clearance finds at Target. I've been Perimeter Perusing Target for about three years now, and find it helps me get through from one BF to the following year.
As many of you know, the Brick and Mortar store Target is known for their terrific clearance deals. You may have noticed that although the sticker price, including the reddish orange clearance stickers, says one price, that many times the items scan for less. It could be better for you if the item is priced higher and does scan less. Many shoppers do not realize this and pass the item by. Also, many times an item is not marked clearance in any way and I would suggest if you are interested in an item that you take it to the nearest scanner and check the price that comes up.
The standard clearance at Target works by items being marked down 15% or 30% initially. This price can last somewhere between two weeks to a month, depending on how well the item sells at this price. Then the item typically drops to 50%, again for two weeks to a month. Generally, the lowest an item will be marked down is 75% off, with a few exceptions. Items considered 'holiday' or 'seasonal' items have been known to go as low as 90% after the holiday, and you will find a few occasional display items or things found in the stockroom after inventory marked 80%-90% off. Almost always, the lowest price an item will go will usually end in $.x4 or $.x8, but not always.
A markdown schedule for the seasonal or holiday clearance is as follows:
Traditional Holiday clearance schedule
50% off day after holiday for three days
75% off fourth day after holiday for three days
90% off seventh day after holiday for 1-2 days.
Other than Chr-stmas this is the schedule used for holiday clearance, including Valentine's Day, Easter, Summerville, and Halloween, for at least the last two years
Also, Target is the only store I have found where many, although not all, of the cashiers seem to have the ability to bargain on a price when an item doesn't scan with one. There are times when an item will scan as 'clearance + tax'. Be happy in these situations instead of groaning. Sometimes the cashier can do a price over ride sort of thing to find the most recent lowest price, but sometimes if you say 'I'll take it for (whatever 75% off the marked retail price would be)' they'll just key that in. It's always worth a shot. Same thing applies for an item that scans 'NOF' (Not on file). This means the item is so old that it is completely out of the computer system. Again, I would try offering the 75% off the retail price, but if necessary a price can usually be looked up at the Guest Services Desk. However, if an item has gone 'salvage,' this may backfire on you. In this instance, Target marks the item back up to full retail value, before pulling it from the shelves and donating it to a charity, such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army for a tax write off. this is how Target claims to donate so much to charity.
The markdown teams in each store seems to keep to a standardized schedule, but there are stores that seem to have different ones. For those who do follow it the departmental mark down days are:
------- Mark Down Schedule -------
-Mon. -- Electronics, Kids Clothing and Stationary (Cards, GiftWrap, etc.)
-Tues. -- Domestics, Women's Clothing, Pets and Market (food items)
-Wed. -- Men's Clothing, Toys, Health and Beauty, Lawn & Garden items
-Thur. -- House Wares, Lingerie, Shoes, Sporting Goods, Movies, Music, Books, Decor and Luggage
-Fri. -- Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, & Jewelry
This schedule says nothing about weekend mark downs, but I have seen items change in price between a Saturday morning perimeter perusal and one done on a Sunday afternoon. I still haven't found any rhyme or reason to what gets marked down on those days though. Another part of the fun.
Go to Target.com and see if there are any updates about new Target openings.
Target does not have a lay-a-way, but diehard Perimeter Perusers have tried various methods of getting around this. Most are constantly debated on the various forums dedicated to this subject as far as being 'ethical' or not, I'll leave it for you to decide for yourself.
When an item goes 50% off, and there are several left, some posters have said they find a 'hiding' place to put the item and they go back to see if the item is still there several weeks later to scan and see if it dropped in price. Some common hiding places shared is:
In the middle of a round clothes rack, where all of the clothes hide the item.
About a third of the way off the floor of a stack of pillows.
Behind similar items, perhaps with newer packaging, on the proper shelf.
Sometimes, when items are getting scarce at 50% off, posters will buy them at that price and hold on to the receipt. If they find the item later at 75% or 90% off, they will buy the item again, remove any clearance stickers that show the lower price, and return the item at another time with the older, higher priced receipt, as long as it is within the 90 day return period.
Target initiated a new return policy in November of 2002 that says any 'seasonal' clearance items returned will be refunded at the current clearance price, even with a receipt! They updated the policy in April, 2003 to specify these items as Chr-stmas trees and decorations and Hallowe'en costumes and decorations. As far as I know, all other seasonal merchandise should be refunded at the price stated on the reciept.
Other web sites to visit to find listed bargains are:
Target UPC finds
Freebies and Bargains
I hope y'all find this information helpful, and would love to know of other Perimeter Perusers tricks that I may not have covered!
I just learned something new on a different forum devoted to Target. I've now that the Target website puts out coupons to be printed and used at their SuperTarget stores, but I didn't know that if a regular Target carried the item you could use that coupon, a coupon from a Target circular if one happens to be out, and a manufacturers coupon all at the same time on one item. So, you can stack all three coupons on one item at either a Super or regular Target.
Here an online site to print off SuperTarget coupons.
Super Target Coupons
Some times Wow coupons has target coupons to print off as well, but they seem to not have any at the moment.
Congrats on your find!Originally Posted by nancy_7997
Thank You. I was able to find it today, it was the LAST ONE they had.
Our Target has been adding clearance items to the stationary endcap almost daily (I know, since I am there almost daily). Yesterday I found a 50 count printable baby invitations for $4.98 (75%).
The dollar spot was also stocked with the new Christmas items.
Huh, well maybe I will make a Target run today, I need a few things anyway, but was going to wait until tomorrow. Maybe I'll manage to find a cute infant costume or two for cheap to save for next year.
But what am I supposed to do for detergent now? I have hard water, and the powder doesn't dissolve well. I understand the environmentalism thing about it, but really, this kinda stinks.
Okay guys. I'm going to brave my Target and try out this clearance shopping thing for the first time. Any advice for a Target newbie? You guys seem to always find such great stuff and I just can't hold out any longer.
They still have liquid detergent it is just concentrated so you can use less and it is in smaller bottles therefore less waste.
All I do is go up and down each row and look for the clearance ticket to see if there is anything i might want. It takes a while but it is fun when you find the good deal's. Good Luck
love's her
sometimes I feel weird going in everyday and just walking the endcaps... But I figure I can go shopping everyday cause I am buying true clearance priced itemsYEAHHHH
Happy Halloween Y'all
I bought a Polaroid MP3 player today that not only plays songs but you can also play videos, view pictures and listen to FM radio. Reg price was $100 and I got it for $25. Strange part is that I just scanned it on Monday, hoping it had dropped from the marked price of $70, but it was still only 30% off. I had to run back in today and didn't expect it to have changed yet but for some reason I found myself taking it to the scanner. It skipped the 50% markdown and went straight to 75%, in the middle of the week. I really wanted this for dh for Christmas so I was thrilled to get it for only $25! DPCI 057 10 1428
I used to live @ 175 & Citrus in Surprise.
There is also a Target at the US 60/Grand & Bell. I just hate going to that one, their customer service is horrible. Every time I try to pay my bill there they say they don't do that in the store -- but every other Target has let me pay bah to them!
ok. sorry. i digressed a bit.
keep me posted if ya'll see any kids stuff go clearanced. i can only make it up to a store 1x every 2 weeks or so.
I'm glad to know there are lots of people on here from this area. It's hard being new.I used to live @ 175 & Citrus in Surprise.
There is also a Target at the US 60/Grand & Bell. I just hate going to that one, their customer service is horrible. Every time I try to pay my bill there they say they don't do that in the store -- but every other Target has let me pay bah to them!
ok. sorry. i digressed a bit.
keep me posted if ya'll see any kids stuff go clearanced. i can only make it up to a store 1x every 2 weeks or so.
I went last night but didn't see too many clearance things. I am still trying to figure out the store. I will let you know if I see kid's stuff at the Surprise one. Do you need boys or girls or both?
Holy cow. Where in NE Ohio. I am south of Massillon Ohio. I would love to get my husband that MP3 Player. Where was it at? An end cap?
Got a hot date tonight, Brad? You started November pretty early on the last day of October. Wish Target would start their Halloween Clearance that way! I really want to get a bunch of the Gladware and Glad bags and napkins!New thread for November. I kept today's posts so the thread has something to start with and any discussion can continue in the new thread
How much will they be clearance? 30% or right to 75%?
should be 50% off....
They go 50% first. You can see the markdown schedule above. Holiday schedule applies. But I am going to go out on a limb and guess that they'll shorten the number of days at the 50% & 75% off level. It will depend on how quickly it moves, though. They are VERY anxious to get Christmas stuff out. They were already moving a bunch of stuff around this afternoon to prep for Christmas, so I think they may go 75% as early as Saturday to take advantage of the weekend traffic. I'm hoping, anyway. I don't really want any of the decorations or costumes. I really just want the household stuff, and I'll probably take it at 50% since it is still a big savings.
I really want the napkins and bags....I am not one to spend much on the decorations...though my neighbors are.
Hit all the endcaps.. and look for the big Clearance signs.. and look for the little clearance aisle tags..
Went to target twice today.. they moved all the halloween decor to the front of the store and havent started to mark it down as of this evening at close.. but I will be heading there at 7am for some goodies!!
All of the racks in the back of the store are now filled with tons of christmas stuff.. so I know they want to get rid of all the halloween stuff asap.
I will probably post this in another freebie thread.. but I found this at Target..
Arm and Hammer laundry detergent or softener.. on the box it says "Try me free" which refers to their laundry sheets.. so I got a few of them.. up to 4.99 they will rebate!!
Yay!!
I always watch for your posts..Since you and I are both in Southern Cali...Can you post when the costumes go to 75% off?? Was wanting to buy some for a dress up trunk that I have for my girls..They play for hours dressing up in costumes and old shoes...They go 50% first. You can see the markdown schedule above. Holiday schedule applies. But I am going to go out on a limb and guess that they'll shorten the number of days at the 50% & 75% off level. It will depend on how quickly it moves, though. They are VERY anxious to get Christmas stuff out. They were already moving a bunch of stuff around this afternoon to prep for Christmas, so I think they may go 75% as early as Saturday to take advantage of the weekend traffic. I'm hoping, anyway. I don't really want any of the decorations or costumes. I really just want the household stuff, and I'll probably take it at 50% since it is still a big savings
I'll try to make sure to post it. Where are you in the area?
I picked up 3 of the Colgate Plus whitening tootpastes yesterday. 2 packs of the full tube. Regularly $3.99 and it was clearanced to $1.75. I had 3 $1 off coupons (printed ones) so I got them for only .75 each. Super price!
Neosporin was clearanced to $1.98 each. I had $1 off coupon so got it for .98 (print out coupon again).
Heads up everyone! Not exactly clearance related but the Toy catalog can be viewed online already. Just to end all the speculation
mostly girls stuff (my DD is 14mos). I do have a godson, but he's a teenager now... i just give him gift cards.
Where did you print the toothpaste coupons?
ok target was CRAZZZY this mornin. I had to drop my mom off at work and its in the mall with target and @7:55 20+ people were outside in 25 degree weather. I just stayed in my car until the doors opened and about 8:05 everyone had all the glad containers taken instantly next were the rubbermade containers. They had prolly 150 of them and everyone in the store had a stack I bought 2 big round tubs for 3.00 and 4 orange for 2.00 and 3 clear orange for 2.00. Total came to 22.00 something.. YAY... Everything else was so-so not marked down that great though people had carts full. I did notice the college 07 chairs and little endtables went from 30% yesterday to 75% the chairs were 6.00 and the tables 4.00. Most everyone had a endtable in their carts.
Guess I was a little bummed this year but if you need new halloween stuff today is the day to buy it before its all gone
also.... on the receipt I got a extra receipt printed it says...
Get a sneak peek of the 2-day sale.
See extra in-store deals early sign up for your email reminder @ target.com/weeklyad
sneak peak begins nov. 21st
shop the 2 day sale nov. 23 n 24th all store are closed thanksgiving day
I am looking on line but can't find it...where?Heads up everyone! Not exactly clearance related but the Toy catalog can be viewed online already. Just to end all the speculation
I posted it on another thread but here it is too...
http://catalog.target.com/KidsHTC200...versionnum=1.4
Hmmm for some reason that link isn't working now...if you go to www.target.com and then type in the browser at the top www.target.com/toycatalog and it will take you there. It doesn't work though if you click on the url......for some reason.....you have to manually type it
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