Categories: consumer bargains, deals, sales, discounts, consumer tips, consumer informations

As the American dollar weakens and the economy grows gooey, consumers of all income levels are looking for ways to reduce costs. One four-letter word, "s-a-l-e" evokes the concept of saving or finding a bargain. But, not all discounts are authentic deals. The Consumer Journal reveals how to identify real sales items from merchant propaganda:

Detailed in big, bright and bold colors, certain signs are nothing more than ostentatious signs, designed to lure consumers into making an impractical purchase. Quite often, these signs are nothing but a promotional gimmick. Knowing the standard cost of merchandise can prevent the possibility of being duped on sales items disguised as deals. 

"Fifty percent after the rebate," is a common sales ploy.  Be sure to read the fine print detailed on the terms of the rebate. Sometimes, the deadline for claiming the rebate is unrealistic or the tasks involved in claiming the rebate are too labor intensive to make the deal worth the savings.

Grocery stores and markets use the multiple priced items tactic to clear inventory. Most consumers tend to purchase more products than necessary. The sales ploy involves a sign that reads, "Buy 4 for $4." What most people fail to realize is that they not obligated to purchase all four items. Not to mention, sometimes the multiple discount product is not really a significant bargain.

Retailer color code signs to capture consumer’s attention, motivating the psychological response to buy. Black signs convey luxury. Yellow represents value and red reflects urgency. So the next time you see these colors, make the following considerations: