Perimeter Perusing at Target (Target Clearance Deals) - 2014

[Brad]

http://www.gottadeal.com/images/target.gif

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Target Perimeter Perusing!

As many of you know, Target B&M stores are known for their terrific clearance deals. This thread is for GottaDeal.com forum members to share their latest clearance finds. Also, please keep non-clearance discussion to a minimum - there are other threads for discussing weekly sale ads and store policy. This first post will contain some background information on the wonderful world of Target clearance, otherwise known around here as Perimeter Perusing!

You may have noticed that although the sticker price (the red-orange clearance sticker) show one price, many times the items will actually scan for a lesser amount. You can use this to your advantage because many shoppers without the benefit of being GottaDeal members do not realize this and pass the item by, thinking the sticker price is the actual price. Also, many times an item is not marked clearance in any way but still may be on clearance, so if you have an item that you would consider buying if it was on clearance, we suggest you take it to the nearest scanner and check the price that comes up. This is especially true of items which other members have reported being on clearance at their local store.

The standard clearance pattern at Target usually begins by items being marked down 15% or 30% at the beginning. This price can last somewhere between two weeks to a month, depending on how well the item sells at this price and what department the item is from. Then the item typically drops to 50%, again for anywhere from two weeks to a month in most cases. 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%, and you will find a few occasional display items or things found in the stockroom after inventory discounted in the 80%-90% range. In many cases, the lowest price an item will go will usually end in $x.x4 or $x.x8, but this is not always the case for 100% of items, so take that into consideration.

A typical markdown schedule for the seasonal or holiday clearance is as follows:

Traditional Post-Holiday Target Clearance Schedule

50% off - marked down on the day after the holiday, usually lasts for three days
75% off - marked down on the fourth day after the holiday, usually lasts for three days
90% off - marked down on the seventh day after the holiday, usually lasts for 1-3 days

Other than Christmas, this is usually the schedule used for post-holiday clearance, including Valentine's Day, Easter, Summerville, and Halloween, for at least the last few years.

The holiday mark-down does seem to fluctuate from store to store on occasion, but to help demonstrate how the holiday clearance has gone in 2008 and 2009, here is the Decatur, AL clearance dates for Valentine's Day and Halloween, courtesy of Timswife81404:

Valentine's 08
Feb. 15th, 2008 = 50%
Feb. 18th, 2008 = 75%
Feb. 20th, 2008 = 90%
Valentine’s 09
Feb. 15th, 2009 = 50%
Feb. 17th, 2009 = 75% (red dot dollar spot too)
Feb. 21st, 2009 = 90%

Halloween 08
Nov. 1st, 2008 = 50%
Nov. 4th, 2008 = 75%
Nov. 8th, 2008 = 90%
Halloween 09
Nov. 1st, 2009 = 50%
Nov. 3rd, 2009 = 75%
Nov. 7th, 2009 = 90%

Target initiated a controversial new return policy in November 2002 that says any seasonal clearance items returned will be refunded at the current clearance price, even with a receipt showing a higher purchase price. They updated the policy in April 2003 to specify these items as Christmas trees and decorations and Halloween costumes and decorations. Other seasonal merchandise should still be refunded at the price stated on the reciept.

Christmas clearance is an animal all to itself. The dates appear to be as follows:
50% off - always December 26,lasts four to five days
75% off - within a day or two on either side of New Year's Eve/Day (12/31-01/01)
90% off - within a day or two of Epiphany (01/06)

The Decatur, AL markdown schedule for Christmas in 2007, 2008 and 2009 was as follows:

Christmas 07
Dec. 26th, 2007 = 50%
Dec. 31st, 2007 = 75%
Jan. 4th, 2007 = 90%
Christmas 08
Dec. 26th, 2008 = 50%
Dec. 30th, 2008 = 75%
Jan. 6th, 2009 = 90%
Jan. 2nd, 2009 = 75% Dollar Spot Christmas (black dot)
Christmas 09
Dec. 26th, 2009 = 50%
Dec. 31st, 2009 = 75% (black dollar spot too)
Jan. 5th, 2010 = 90%

Twice a year, Target has a major clearance on toys. Once in January and again in the summer.

Here are the dates for the January toy clearance in Decatur, AL:

Toys 08
Jan. 10th, 2008 = 75%
Toys 09
Jan. 15th, 2009 = 75% on MOST toys some still 30-50%
Jan. 29th, 2009 = 75% on remaining toys
Toys 10
Jan. 15th, 2010 = 75% (Friday)

Other departments have an annual major clearance. Dates will be posted here as they become known.

Baby 09
Jan. 19th, 2009 = 75% on MOST already clearanced
Jan. 26th, 2009 = 75% on remaining clearance

Target is one of the few stores where many (although not all) of the cashiers have the ability to bargain when an item doesn't scan with a price. 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 override 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.

The 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 inventory system. Again, a good suggestion is to 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 one of the reasons how Target can claim to donate so much to charity.

The markdown teams in each many stores have been known to keep to a standardized schedule, but there are stores that have different ones, so your experience many vary. For those who do follow the standard schedule, the departmental markdown days are:

Traditional Department Mark Down Schedule

Monday - Electronics, Kids' Clothing, Stationery, Cards, Gift wrap
Tuesday - Domestics, Women's Clothing, Pets, Market Pantry
Wednesday - Men's Clothing, Toys, Health and Beauty, Lawn & Garden
Thursday - Housewares, Lingerie, Shoes, Sporting Goods, Movies, Music, Books, Decor, Luggage
Friday - Automotive, Cosmetics, Hardware, Jewelry

Note that while this schedule says nothing about weekend markdowns, many Perimeter Perusers on the forum have seen items change in price between a Saturday morning shopping trip and one done on a Sunday afternoon. But nobody has found any rhyme or reason to what gets marked down on those days though - another part of the fun.

Target does not have a layaway plan, but die-hard Perimeter Perusers have tried various methods of getting around this. Most are constantly debated on the forum as far as being 'ethical' or not, so we'll leave it for you to decide for yourself. Just don't be surprised to find some differing opinions if you bring it up in this thread.

When an item goes 50% off and there are several left, some posters have said they find a hiding place to put the item. They then go back to see if the item is still there several weeks later, and if so, scan it to see if it has dropped in price. Some common hiding places shared are 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 or 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.

While not technically a clearance topic, in this thread, you may see reference to MM Juice or MM packs. These refer to 10 packs of Minute Maid juice boxes that can generally be bought for $.69. They are found in the juice aisle mixed in with the 15 packs. This usually includes only the Grape, Apple & Fruit Punch flavors -- never Orange Juice. They look exactly like the 15 packs which are generally stocked on the shelf, but instead of having 3 rows of 5 boxes, there are only 2 rows. They are often mixed in with the others, and even hidden in the back behind the 15 packs. You may go months or longer before you find your first set, but they really do exist. They are not an urban legend. And most of us can attest that you'll do a little dance in the aisle when you find them the first time.

Helpful Target Clearance-Related Links

Target Store Locator
Target Coupon Generator
Target Clearance Locator

[Sarasuzymama]

70% at Ward Pkwy in KC. Tons and tons left. Most paper goods were gone when I got there this afternoon but did get some kids solo cups and some coffee cups (dixie). I have never seen so much stuff left at 70%, let alone in the afternoon. I scored a huge haul!

[bluebear]

One store was 70%, one was still 50%. I was lazy and didn't go out until 8pm, but still got a fair amount of stuff. The 50% store had way less stuff.

My most exciting find was candy cane stocking holders. I've been wanting those for 2 years from Bed Bath & Beyond, but couldn't justify the price. I never even saw them at Target until tonight. Yay!!

[Stowasser]

so do you think tomorrow which for our store would be the earliest it ever went

[boredbread]

so do you think tomorrow which for our store would be the earliest it ever went

Following past year trends stores that didn't go yesterday should go today... it does seem really early compared to previous years.

 

Now to decide whether to go out to day for 70% or hold out for 90% since I don't really "need" anything      Curious if anyone has found things ringing up with the holiday markdowns in the clothes departments this year.... pajamas, hats, socks, etc?

[asenap01]

Will lights go 90% also?

[boredbread]

Will lights go 90% also?

I saw some last year at 90%.

[Stowasser]

ours was 70% with 50% off candy

[dollarstretcher]

Happy to get the outdoor angels at 70% off today... SOOO much left compared to last year

Team members were everywhere restocking... but found some more ziploc and glad products which is rarely available when it hits 70% off....

I found on an endcap these plus there were ones by Tim Mcgraw and Beyonce... ringing $2.99

 

 

 

 

[alexusrydr]

Will food go 70% when other stuff goes 90% or does it go to 90% also?

[1angelnhvn]

Food items moved to 50% (cartons of goldfish, boxed hershey chocolates, market pantry snacks, bagged candy were 30% with first markdown).  Everything else stayed ]

 

 

 

What type of package were the goldfish in? Any Christmas makings on them?

[txsupermom]

Large carton (30 oz) and the goldfish has on a red/green santa hat.

[patcal1]

I would like to find those Outdoor Xmas angels but have lost the site for inventory locater of Target. And, for those who purchased- how much were they? Thanks!

[dollarstretcher]

I would like to find those Outdoor Xmas angels but have lost the site for inventory locater of Target. And, for those who purchased- how much were they? Thanks!

#051043530  - $26.99 70%off

 

There were regular priced tape mixed up with the clearance today BTW - what are the markings on the clearance ones? 

[rachealb]

Tons and tons of stuff at another store I visited today also- lights, decorations, paper, an entire aisle of gift bags.  Still 70/50.  Definitely holding out for 90% with this much left.  I did notice that they salvaged the dollar spot today though, i dont think it went past 70%

[SelenaV]

When do we think 90% off will be?

[MarkdownQueen]

Yes, they did the same at the 2 Targets I visited too. I didn't want to take a chance and wait for 90. This is what I scored today.

[supermom4]

70/50 here, and dollar spot clearance was gone (salvaged). Due to the number of people scouring the area, I decided to go ahead and buy the ornaments & wrapping paper that I really wanted. I was disappointed that the holiday boxes of Kleenex were only marked 30% off though. Lots of tape left, so hoping to hold out for 90% there. Forgot to look for the ziplock bags.

[RockiesGirl]

I found the Christmas themed Chex Mix Muddy Buddies were still on the regular shelves priced the regular price but scanning half price right now in Aurora CO. I'm waiting until they HOPEFULLY go 90% off then they are mine! 

Hopefully yours are on the shelf not marked clearance either so you can score on them too.

[mom2monkiesx3]

Do you what the DPCI is or which number model it was? There's a couple different Animals and want to see if I can still find any.

 

It was the purple animal DC41

[Stowasser]

Yes, they did the same at the 2 Targets I visited too. I didn't want to take a chance and wait for 90. This is what I scored today.

I got the penguin cookie jar and matching salt/pepper too, I stayed away from wrap (bought way too much last year, have like 15 rolls) and other things, did get the USB car adapters and some velco thingys for hanging up things with out hooks....Oh, weird thing no bows, there are always boxes of bows left, none, need those so will have to see what shows up later or at Walmart

[tinkrbel]

I'm going to try bright and early tomorrow for 90%

[MarkdownQueen]

I got the penguin cookie jar and matching salt/pepper too, I stayed away from wrap (bought way too much last year, have like 15 rolls) and other things, did get the USB car adapters and some velco thingys for hanging up things with out hooks....Oh, weird thing no bows, there are always boxes of bows left, none, need those so will have to see what shows up later or at Walmart

There is also a oven mitten to match it too. When I checked out the one had didn't have a price. I was being lazy and didn't want to wait. I will probably go today and buy it, they had quite a few left over. I didn't find many bows either. Try Walgreens and CVS if you have one in your area.

I'm going to try bright and early tomorrow for 90%

Keep us posted, if you find 90%.

[daisy7017]

I went to look at baby items (I am trying to get a car seat on clearance) and my store had already marked everything down to 30-50% off! The carseats were 50% off and gone! I went to another store, and they weren't even marked yet. Anyone else start the baby clearance early?

[shorty4014]

I went to look at baby items (I am trying to get a car seat on clearance) and my store had already marked everything down to 30-50% off! The carseats were 50% off and gone! I went to another store, and they weren't even marked yet. Anyone else start the baby clearance early?

My stores was 30% off car seats travel systems.

[patcal1]

Thanks for upc for Christmas Angels but what is the inventory locater website to check on the upc's?

[rachealb]

Still 70/50 at my store today around lunchtime, but they were starting to re-arrange the xmas area, tearing down some displays and such, hoping for 90% maybe tomorrow?

[SelenaV]

Still 70/50 at my store today around lunchtime, but they were starting to re-arrange the xmas area, tearing down some displays and such, hoping for 90% maybe tomorrow?

 

That's what I'm hoping for too!!

[lovetoshopCA]

Just my $0.02, but in my experience, they've never gone 90% on Jan 1 here. I know it well because I am always feeling incredibly cooped up and like I am possibly missing it because of the Rose Parade (we get blocked in due to street closures and traffic till late afternoon). Every year I go out in vain hopes of it being 90% off, I get there and find it is still 70%. Every single year for the last 10 years, at least. On the other hand, there is virtually nothing left around here. My only hope is in hitting some of the more distant stores in my area the day it does go down, which has almost always been 1/2 here.

[keej]

I checked at our store that went 70 on Sunday and STILL at 70. Oh well. Trying again tomorrow.