It seems that lately every time we get to the register, we’re spending far more than we meant to. The funny thing, however, is that it’s not your fault. The stores we love use sneaky tactics to get you to spend more than you want to, and that’s why we’re going to give you the best tips on what to be aware of so that you can outsmart the store.
Misty Vegetables
If you see glistening vegetables, it makes you think that they are healthy, fresh, and exactly what you need to add to your cart. However, that’s how the store gets you. Looking fresh and being fresh are two different things. There have also been recent studies suggesting that organic vegetables are not as healthy as you think.
Carts
The carts we have in the United States are huge. It’s a tactic to get you to spend more than you need to. With a larger cart, it appears you are buying less food, and this makes people continue to fill it because they worry they won’t have enough. Most of these impulse purchases are meant to get you to fill your cart to the brim so you spend at least $100 more than necessary.
Scenting
Most people know that the bakery is strategically placed to entice you into buying delicious food. You may not know that the stands around the store with samples are there to do the same thing. Being around so much great-smelling food makes you more likely to buy additional items because you end up feeling hungry.
10 For 10
This is another trick the store uses. When people see the sign that says 10 for 10, they think that it’s a great deal, but they don’t realize that you don’t actually have to buy ten items. Because the sale is already active, if you only want three or four, just purchase the amount you need. It will still cost $1.
Carved Meat
Stores know that people are busy and can charge for convenience. If you have the time and you know how to carve a chicken, do it at home. In addition to this, if you have room in your freezer, try buying the whole bird. It’s typically cheaper per pound than individual cuts; you just have to put some work into the carving.
Ending Prices
If something ends in .99, you might think that you’re saving money. In actuality, you’re not. People assume the price drops by a dollar when it really only saves a penny, and the item isn’t truly cheaper. It’s a ploy to get you to buy more of that product than others.
Endcaps
The attractive endcaps set up at the front of stores hardly ever display the items you need. You have to walk past them to get to what you want. However, when you’re walking by, you might think that it’s an awesome deal or that you want to try a new flavor of chips. Because you end up grabbing extra items, your bill starts rising. It’s all about impulse and whether people have the control to resist buying.
Check Out
Since you have to hike around the store to get everything you need, chances are that when you get to the register you’re hungry. That’s alright, because you already have food in your cart. The problem is, you’re hungry now. Your body is telling you that you want something immediately, and it’s so convenient that drinks and chips are right there by the checkout. However, these items are overpriced and increase your bill; the magazines do, too.
Stores Inside Of Stores
Superstores are a good example of this. Most Walmarts have eye doctors, Claire’s (depending on your location), and other such services. Target has CVS, and many stores now have Starbucks inside or even a nail and hair salon. What this means for you is that you can get pampered while doing your grocery shopping. However, the downside is that you could end up spending $300 or more every time you go because you’re tempted by all the extra areas.
BOGO
Everyone loves a good BOGO deal. However, in most cases, the BOGO deal isn’t as beneficial as you might think. The idea is to get you to buy more things you don’t need in order to get the deal. Otherwise, it benefits the store rather than you. For instance, would you be willing to buy a $7 sweater if it weren’t on sale? Probably not. If you look around, you’ll see alternatives that add up to the same price or less, but the store wants you to buy a specific brand.
Prepared Food
Another trick is the prepared food section. People get exhausted after working all day, they don’t want to cook, and they’re looking for something quick and easy. Because the supermarket knows this, they increase the prices because they know you’ll pay. Everything in the prepared food section can also be found in the store and made at home for half the price.
Changing The Aisles
If you’ve ever wondered why the store keeps changing its layout, it’s because they want you to pick up the items they want you to get. It’s about tricking your mind into buying new items and things you wouldn’t have considered before. For instance, they might move the cereal to a different aisle and place crackers in its spot. Because you’re used to the old layout, you might end up buying the crackers when you normally wouldn’t.
Expensive Items
When you go into the store, you shouldn’t grab things without thinking. While searching for your items, focus on those at your eye level. If you pay attention, you’ll notice that the expensive items are positioned at eye level while the cheaper ones are not. The reason is simple: many people only buy what they can see because they don’t take the time to look around.
Tricking Family
Another thing you’ll notice is that the store targets your family. Are you a mom? If so, observe where the sugary cereals are located. They aren’t positioned at your eye level; they’re at your kids’ eye level. The companies know that kids love the mascots and the sugar, and they know that children can fall in love with the brand. So, they advertise directly to them, not to you.
Seasonal Foods
Seasonal foods are never hidden in the back. They are front and center because the store wants you to buy as much as possible. Is fall coming? Time to go overboard on pumpkin spice items. Valentine’s Day? Time to buy cookies. All of these holidays are associated with food, and the feeling that you’re doing the holiday right may make you feel like you have to spend more than planned, but you don’t.
Shop Smarter
When you go to the grocery store, you need to be aware of the tricks the store is trying to pull and ensure that you’re not getting sucked into overspending, especially when you have limited funds and prices are rising. Stretch your budget as far as you can. Now that you know what to avoid, you can shop smarter.
