Few stores provide as many ways to save as Target. The popular big box store is a veritable discount heaven for deal seekers.
In an effort to simplify the bargain shopping experience at Target, we’ve handpicked the top 10 Target savings hacks. These tips were all provided by bloggers that are experts when it comes to getting a deal at Target. Check out our list:
Download and Use the Cartwheel Mobile App
Anyone who shops at Target regularly should make sure to get the Cartwheel mobile app. The app contains a variety of useful features, but most important to those interested in saving money is the “Offers” button. Tapping “Offers” from the main menu takes you to a lengthy list of discounts that you can load to your individual barcode and then scan from your phone at the register. You can either browse offers by navigating the various product categories or you can use the search bar to see if there are any current offers for a particular product you want to buy.
One useful tip to remember from Fabulessly Target is to “take a screenshot of your Cartwheel barcode and save it to your photo album. This way, if the wifi at the store is acting up (mine usually is), you can still load your barcode and have them scan it.”
Learn the Clearance Codes
Chances are you’ve seen a little clearance tag at some point during one of your Target shopping trips. Did you realize those little tags actually contain extremely valuable information? There are two primary data points that are particularly important to keep an eye on. First, is what number appears at the end of the price. Items that are priced with .04 or .06 at the end are likely to be discounted even further as long as they remain in stock. Items that are priced with .08 at the end will not be discounted any further.
Second, is the little number the appears on the top right of the price tag. That number tells you the discount amount (30, 50, 70 or 90% off). You could also just do the math yourself and compare the regular price to the clearance price, but who has the time for that?
Check the Aisle End Caps for Deals
For those not familiar with the terminology, end caps refer to the displays set up at the end of each aisle with special pricing. These are typically seasonal items or overstock products that the store is looking to move fast. That desire to unload merchandise typically manifests itself in the form of significant discounts found on end caps. There is certainly no guarantee you’ll be able to find something you want, but as Engineer Mommy points out, “You never know what gems are waiting for you there!”
Grab a Rain Check
The rain check might have gone the way of dial-up internet for most stores, but Target is keeping the retail tradition alive. The way a rain check works is that the store offers you a slip of paper that enables you to get a sold-out sale item at a discounted price for up to 45 days when it comes back into stock. This can be very handy for trendy toys or electronics. In order to get a rain check, just snap a photo of the price tag and take it to customer service.
One interesting facet of Target rain checks is that they occasionally permit you to get a similar substitute item at the discounted price. As More With Less Today observes, “You may get the item you really wanted at the sales price of the less desirable item!”
Don’t Lose Your Receipt
Like many stores, Target allows price adjustments for recently bought items that have since been put on sale. If you purchased a product within the past 14 days that is now being sold at a lower price then you can go back into Target and they will refund you the difference. The key to making that work? You must have your receipt! On the bright side, My Frugal Aventures notes that “You do not need the item you purchased just your receipt.”
For Target’s complete price adjustment and price matching policy, go here. It includes important information about what types of items are excluded and blackout dates.
Stack Your Savings
One of the most effective ways to save the most money when shopping at Target is to combine all of your manufacturer coupons, Target store coupons, Cartwheel offers and apply them on already-discounted sale items. Couponers refer to this process as “stacking”. Many of the low-price retailers have limitations on this practice, but Target possesses one of the most accommodating coupon policies of any major store.
Becky Boricua explains it succinctly, “We mostly go for the great deals and the awesome stuff that they carry, but I also love going because I always end up saving more than expected.”
Figure Out Target’s Markdown Schedule
The pro Target discount shoppers not only use all of the above strategies, they also memorize the store’s markdown schedule. While not an official policy, astute observers like Kayla Aimee Writes have spotted the trends and discovered what day each type of item is most likely to go on sale. For the complete daily markdown calendar head over to Kayla Aimme Writes.
We would be remiss if we didn’t emphasize once again that the markdown schedule is unofficial. Some stores, even within the same general area, might have slight differences.
Sign Up for Text Alerts
Cartwheel is not the only way to utilize your cell phone to get extra discounts at Target. You can also register to receive mobile coupons via SMS. They are only sent out periodically, so don’t worry if you have limited texting or have concerns about getting a ton of messages. Passion for Savings says, “these coupons are typically valid for 2 weeks,” so you have ample time to work them into your stacking strategy for maximum savings.
Get the Target REDcard Credit or Debit Card
It’s wise to be very selective with which store cards you sign up for, because credit issues can quickly ensue otherwise. That’s not necessarily a problem with the Target REDcard, however. According to Become a Coupon Queen, “the great news is that you don’t have to open another credit card, you can link it directly to your current checking account.”
Of course, if you don’t have many (or any) credit cards, then you can always go that route as well. The card provides several valuable benefits, but two in particular stand out. You get 5% off every purchase you make with the card and you get free shipping on all orders made at Target.com.
Look at Your Local Goodwill for Target Merchandise
It’s a very little known fact, but Rather Be Shopping discovered that Target sends much of its surplus to Goodwill, which then sells the items brand new at a massive discount. The blog referenced a Goodwill employee who revealed, “they typically come in once a month, within the first week of the month, and include housewares, clothing, and sometimes toys.”
While this tip is not directly tied to shopping at Target, it is very intriguing and helpful nonetheless. After all, who cares where the item is purchased as long as its new and was originally sold at Target?
