(Bargain Hunting Season)
October 27th 2006 06:03
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been talking about quick and easy bargains. The bargain hunts we’ve talked about have been quick and easy excursions. Less hunting than gathering. You just have to go out and get it.
However, a sure path to poverty is to get what you want off Ebay at the lowest price that’s there if you can’t afford it. If you can’t afford it and you have to pay more than you want for an item, you’re not getting a bargain. At this point, it’s time to hunt.
Before you go out on a grand bargain hunt, there are some questions you should ask yourself:
1) What are you willing to pay for the item?
This is key. If you enter this thinking, “I want the lowest price.” You may get the lowest price but end up paying too much. Set a figure and stick with that stringently.
2) Is your figure realistic?
One place where Bargain Hunters stumble is setting an unrealistic goal. If you want a $15 laptop computer with Windows XP and everything working on it, you’ve set an unrealistic goal. If your goal’s not realistic, you need to set a realistic one or abandon the quest as it’s not something you’re willing to seriously commit to.
3) Is your target prize worth it?
It’d be stupid to go to the trouble for a small item. Generally, I’m going to be looking at something $100 or more before I spend the effort of a long-term search. If you really want it and you think you’ve got a realistic shot of getting it at a bargain, go for it.
If you’re looking for consumer goods like an appliance or furniture, you’ll want to check thrift stores and discount stores such as Wal-Mart and Big Lots for the item, as well as Ebay(link) and Overstock (link). Also, check Craig’s list because that’s where a lot of people get rid of nice consumer goods at a reasonable price.You might even try placing an "item wanted" ad on Craig's list. You may run into someone who has the item you want and will let it go cheaply.
With other rarer goods, the best approach is a continual visit to Ebay every day. (or even multiple times a day.) to find what you’re looking for. Obviously, you keep your eyes open, but if you’re trying to buy something rare (like a kilt or an odd musical instrument) you’re not going to find it hugely discounted at your local store.
This bargain hunt can take days even weeks, but if it’s in pursuit of a worthy object, it’s worth it. While finding that favorite book on half.com is a rush, nothing in bargain hunting can beat the results of a long hunt with the ultimate trophy: a needed item that you were able to buy without busting the bank.
However, a sure path to poverty is to get what you want off Ebay at the lowest price that’s there if you can’t afford it. If you can’t afford it and you have to pay more than you want for an item, you’re not getting a bargain. At this point, it’s time to hunt.
Before you go out on a grand bargain hunt, there are some questions you should ask yourself:
1) What are you willing to pay for the item?
This is key. If you enter this thinking, “I want the lowest price.” You may get the lowest price but end up paying too much. Set a figure and stick with that stringently.
2) Is your figure realistic?
One place where Bargain Hunters stumble is setting an unrealistic goal. If you want a $15 laptop computer with Windows XP and everything working on it, you’ve set an unrealistic goal. If your goal’s not realistic, you need to set a realistic one or abandon the quest as it’s not something you’re willing to seriously commit to.
3) Is your target prize worth it?
It’d be stupid to go to the trouble for a small item. Generally, I’m going to be looking at something $100 or more before I spend the effort of a long-term search. If you really want it and you think you’ve got a realistic shot of getting it at a bargain, go for it.
If you’re looking for consumer goods like an appliance or furniture, you’ll want to check thrift stores and discount stores such as Wal-Mart and Big Lots for the item, as well as Ebay(link) and Overstock (link). Also, check Craig’s list because that’s where a lot of people get rid of nice consumer goods at a reasonable price.You might even try placing an "item wanted" ad on Craig's list. You may run into someone who has the item you want and will let it go cheaply.
With other rarer goods, the best approach is a continual visit to Ebay every day. (or even multiple times a day.) to find what you’re looking for. Obviously, you keep your eyes open, but if you’re trying to buy something rare (like a kilt or an odd musical instrument) you’re not going to find it hugely discounted at your local store.
This bargain hunt can take days even weeks, but if it’s in pursuit of a worthy object, it’s worth it. While finding that favorite book on half.com is a rush, nothing in bargain hunting can beat the results of a long hunt with the ultimate trophy: a needed item that you were able to buy without busting the bank.
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