Consumers’ Checkbook investigated 40 brands operating off-price stores and found that many offer lower-quality merchandise rather than legitimate bargains. So, what gives? In this episode: What you can expect to find when you browse around outlet stores, factory stores, or clearance centers, how you can tell what’s a bargain and what’s not, plus money-saving shopping tips. Read
Businesses use a variety of marketing tactics to attract new customers and keep them. These tricks are designed to make you feel special, like you’re part of a group. The lure can be mighty powerful. In this episode, a conversation with digital media expert Mara Einstein about how promotional strategies and social media can be deceiving and
America’s children have enormous spending power. Most have cash or access to their parents’ credit cards—and plenty of influence over what the family buys through their “pester power.” Marketers know this, which is why they spend billions of dollars a year targeting minors. Advertising can easily exploit a child’s limited ability to distinguish between entertainment and selling.
The “Shop Local” movement encourages consumers to buy goods and services from independent, locally owned businesses rather than national chains or online giants. It’s both an economic strategy and a social campaign aimed at strengthening your own community’s businesses, fostering regional identity, and promoting sustainability. In this episode: The challenge of shopping locally, ways to spend more
Researchers at Consumers’ Checkbook tracked prices at 25 major retailers for six months and found that most of the advertised markdowns were bogus. It’s now common practice for retailers to deceive their customers by displaying crossed-out “regular” or “list” prices, with lower sale prices featured nearby. But the higher “regular” prices are rarely, if ever, what customers
The hectic holiday shopping season is underway, and for many, that will put a strain on the family budget. Checkbook wants to make this stressful time a little easier. Our annual holiday helper is packed with timely advice: Super shoppers share tips about how they find the best prices and avoid fake sales. Plus, how are you
Checkbook’s editors and researchers love to save you time and money, and they use a broad range of consumer-oriented websites and apps to do so. In this episode, we’ll highlight some of their favorites and why they find them to be valuable tools. More from Checkbook: Our Editors’ Favorite Websites and Apps Not a Checkbook member? Sign up
Shopping at thrift stores can save you money and keep used stuff out of landfills. It’s also fun, since you never know what you’ll find. Plus, many thrift stores support local charities, meaning you’re helping others while picking up a vintage dress or a like-new dresser. In this episode, you’ll find tips on buying pre-owned furniture, clothing,
Saving you time. Saving you money. Helping you score great deals—and steer clear of rip-offs and scams. That’s what we’re all about at the Consumerpedia podcast. In this episode, Checkbook staffers share their favorite life hacks—simple tricks and workarounds they’ve used and swear by—that will help you shop smarter, spend wiser, and stay one step ahead. Related
Americans are drowning in stuff: clothing, electronics, toys and games, collectibles, and appliances. Some of us have so much that they need to rent storage units to hold it. Why do so many have the need to buy, buy, buy? In this episode, author Emily Mester shares personal stories from her new book American Bulk: Essays on
