Bargain Shopping

A bargain deal is a purchase at or below retail value. Depending if the item is being scalped or not,
in order to find out you must learn market value. Learn about the definitions and see examples of Bargain Shopping here!

Understanding Purchase Values

Market Value is the current price of products at any given time. For example a high-end graphics card, computer part was $400 before 2020. After 2020, a high-end graphics card for computers cost well over $1000. This is the market value, due to scalping.

Retail Price is the price the item was sold for by the releasing manufacturer. Let's say a new phone comes out by Apple or Samsung and the price on release is $1000. This is the retail price and if your state has state tax, that will be added to your purchase price.

Scalping Price is the price of an item that is being sold for higher than its retail price. For example, during the bitcoin boom and fake covid outbreak of 2021-2022, many product companies lowered the production of their products in order to create the pandemic "Shortage" pricing. Even after all the fake covid scares ended, product companies kept production low to keep prices inflated or at scalping prices. The retail price of a high-end graphics card was around $400. During the fake covid pandemic prices increased to over $1000 and then increased even further to $2000 for a single high-end graphics card. This is only worth purchasing if the item is no longer being manufactured and you want "New" condition. AVOID

Sale/Discounted Price is when an item has a value listed and they are taking off a portion or percentage of that listed price. This can also be called a price cut. In order to see if the sale or discount is actually worth purchasing, you should see if it's being sold at retail price or scalping price. Depending on the original listed price being retail or scalping price should determine if you make your purchase or not.

Package Sale/Discount is when the manufacturer has multiple items being sold at retail price, but when you combine two or more products you will get a package discount. Sometimes you can get an item on sale and if you increase the quantity or get multiple items, you'll get a second additional discount.

Product Conditions

New Condition is just made by the manufacturer and unused. Typically, in retail packaging and sealed.

Used Condition can be sold by both manufacturer or third party and has been used by someone and returned. It is a potential risk that you are taking in purchasing a used item, whether it is actually used and still in good condition or if it was defective or damaged. If you choose to risk a used condition and happen to get a perfectly good item, that is a bargain deal since its price has been lowered due to being used. 

For Parts Only is when an item is typically not working but still has parts inside it that are working... you can then use for another product or similar product. This is generally sold by third parties and will cater to other third-party sellers who fix products or someone who fixes their own products.

Seller Descriptions & Standard Policy

Manufacturer is the company that sells the product and typically offers a standard warranty with their product.

Warranty is when the company agrees to fix, repair or inspect for repair of a product that is defective or stops working as intended. This is similar to car insurance, in that you need to make a claim and then file for your issue, the company will then get back to you on what the next steps would be. This is a hit and miss feature of product purchasing, let's say the company refuses to do anything and then your out of money on your new purchase. However, if the company upholds its warranty and takes your defective or damaged item and fixes it or sends you a new one, then it served its purpose. Sometimes even used products come with warranty, you just have to double check that it does actually come with one.

Retailer is a company that makes a profit on selling products for manufacturers. One tech retailer for example is Best Buy. A hardware store retailer would be Lowes. These companies mostly receive shipments directly from the manufacturer and may offer additional warranties, other than the manufacturers standard warranty.

Third-Party is buying directly from another person like you and me. This is best done by meeting somewhere public or if its Ebay for example, you have to make sure Ebay is covering your purchase. As every third-party purchase is a risk, you should inspect the item before purchasing. If you cannot inspect the item before purchase, such as Ebay mentioned above or a long-distance purchase, just make sure you have some kind of warranty or you know the seller is somewhat trusted.

Return Policy is when you no longer need a product or the item was broken or defective upon first use or short-term use. The standard return policy is in effect for the first 15 to 30 days upon purchase. After these 15 to 30+ days pass, you will no longer be able to return the product if you don't like it. It is best practice to test and use your products during this timeframe so you can make the return if it doesn't work as intended or you don't like how it performs or is outright defective. You can typically get all your money back, which is called a full refund or make an exchange or get store credit. You may also get a 4th option where sometimes the customer service representative or Manager of returns offers you a discount or partial refund if you keep the item. 

Exchange Policy is when you would like to exchange the product for another item. This has 3 forms, such as an even monetary value of $5 for $5. A lower value for your higher value, means your due a partial refund. A higher value for your lower value means you're in debt and need to pay the difference. Exchange policy is typically in effect the same as return policy, 15 to 30 days. After the 15 to 30+ days, you will no longer be able to use the exchange policy.

***Website Links***

Site dedicated to finding/sharing deals: Slickdeals.net

Best Buy - Technology.

Newegg - Like Amazon.

Amazon - Internet Warehouse that ships all types of products, Video Streaming service.

Microcenter - Technology, mostly computer parts.

Guns - Firearm Purchasing outside Blue States. Better.

Turner's Outdoorsman - Firearm Purchasing in Blue States.

LAX Ammo - Firearm Ammunition Purchasing.

Costco - Warehouse shopping for many types of products and food. All in one shopping center.

Sams Club - Warehouse shopping for many types of products and food. All in one shopping center.

More websites to come!!

Bargain Shopping Examples

Format
Retail Price: 
Purchase Price: 
Discount/Savings: 

Market Value: 
Month Active: 
Purchase Date: 
Link to deal: 

Flexispot Sit/Stand Desk 45% Off

Retail Price: $249.99 before tax
Purchase Price: $141.78 with tax
Discount/Savings: -$112.50 totaling at 45%

Market Value: Most sit/stand desks in my research were $200-300+. This was a bargain deal because it was way below retail and market value.
Month Active: 6/2023
Purchase Date: 6/6/2023
Link to deal: Slickdeals

MAINGEAR Gaming Laptop 15.6" $1000+ Off

Retail Price: $2499.99 before tax.
Purchase Price: Intel model $1399.99 before tax, AMD model later went down to $1199.99 before tax.
Discount/Savings: $1100 - $1300 before tax.

Market Value: This laptop has all the major specs you would want in a gaming laptop. Its value at retail is justified. The High-End price is $2000+ for laptops. However, upon researching the laptop it had many issues and was a risky purchase. I ended up not buying it at all, after seeing it in person at Microcenter. It has all the right parts for a powerful desktop replacement, if it works without issue. However, if used solely as a laptop, you will have to make sure it's not defective and then hope it doesn't die from overheating. It appears that the parts are great, but the chassis holding the parts is all very low quality. This may be the explanation for the steep discount. The AMD model is also a better choice, since AMD runs at lower temps, lower wattage demands, lower price.  This intel model in the picture was if AMD model was out of stock and it was all that was left in stock for the sale.
Month Active: Intel model and AMD model's 12/2022, 1/2023 again for the AMD model.
Purchase Date: N/A
Link to deal: 12/2022 Slickdeals, 1/2023 AMD Model Slickdeals

Hulu & Disney+ Black Friday Deal

Retail Price: $7.99 Hulu + $7.99 or $9.99 Bundle.
Purchase Price: $4.98 per month bundle.
Discount/Savings: $15.98 or $5.01 per month in savings.

Market Value: Entertainment Subscriptions started with Netflix. Hulu and Disney+ are other subscription options and while Netflix never has discount offers, Hulu and Disney+ do. You can get Hulu for $0.99 cents or $1.99 a month for 12 months, it rotates every year so far for the past 3 years. In 2022, I noticed that I was able to add Disney+ for an also discounted monthly price. So, got both with discounted rates is a bargain deal. Note that you have to use a different email every year to get this deal and only in November.
Month Active: 11/2022
Purchase Date: 11/2020, 11/2021, 11/2022.
Link to deal: Slickdeals

AR-15 5.56 16" Barrel $200 Off

-$200 at Turner's Outdoorsman.