Finding that adorable My Little Pony backpack or gem-decorated jeans isn’t as much a priority this back-to-school season, moms and retail experts say.
With rising consumer costs and soaring prices at the pump, school shopping is no longer ritual spending; it’s a tricky task requiring a plan, says Lisa Trank, mother of three.
“Our family policy this year: You have to really need it or put it on a wish list,” says Trank, who plans to visit her local thrift shop in Longmont for “new” elementary school outfits.
Many are making smart shopping a priority. Parents are taking longer to find bargains, and 73 percent of consumers say they are choosing discount stores, according to the National Retail Federation. As a fuel-saver, online shopping is growing in popularity, up 4 percent from last year.
But before you grab the car keys or log on, local moms and retail experts offer innovative ideas and shopping strategies for how to stretch your dollar on everything from notebooks to new shoes.
Overall, it’s best to stick to traditional discount stores like Wal-Mart and Target, as well as office supply stores for crayons, pens, paper and other basics, sales experts say. For clothes, expand your search to secondhand stores, online bargains and social networking with other moms.
Ditch one-stop strategy
When shopping for school supplies for the new year, the biggest mistake parents make is stocking up at one store, says Donald Lichtenstein, marketing professor at Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado.
Retailers use a good sale to lure the customer, he says. “Once you are in, they try to sell you all types of stuff at regular cost.”
A better strategy is to “cherry-pick” best bargains at multiple stores, Lichtenstein says.
Of course, you’ll have to make sure extra trips are worth the gas, he adds. “If you have multiple kids, you may end up with multiple savings.”
Rhonda Richmond, a mother of five, ages 7 to 13, agrees. “Our family has been more successful at shopping when we go to a variety of stores,” the Thornton mom says. She sticks to the list and leaves the kids at home. “This is one of the most important rules for me. Kids tend to distract you because they will ask for just about anything they see.”
When it comes to clothes, sometimes you have to bring the kids to be sure of the fit because some sale merchandise can’t be returned, says retail expert Lisa Lee Freeman.
Also, you might want to postpone a back-to-school shopping trip until after class is in session.
“The classic mistake is to load up for fall because kids often decide that what they have is not cool,” says Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart, a new magazine by the publisher of Consumer Reports.
You can satisfy them with a couple of new outfits bought at terrific summer sales, Freeman says, but wait until after Labor Day — and after Christmas — to buy more.
“If there is a shopping theme for moms, it’s ‘buy less, shop more often,’ ” Freeman says.
Moms and experts emphasize the benefits of secondhand clothes — whether they’re from family, friends or thrift stores.
Trank shops at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley thrift store in Boulder, as well as Longmont’s Green Back Family Consignment. She also brings in her own family’s outgrown clothes.
“I’m a big believer in recycling,” she says. “And my girls love the fact that our money goes to helping animals.”
Richmond agrees that thrift stores are a good way to increase quantity. “But be careful,” she warns. “Make sure the item is sturdy and will last you for a while.”
But typically, clothes are not worn out by the time a child outgrows them, says CU’s Lichtenstein. “Going to thrift and consignment stores and places helping nonprofits is a fantastic way to outfit kids for school,” he says.
You may even spot class supplies at thrift stores, including ARC stores, which carry glue, pencils and basics for 99 cents, says Broomfield store manager Barbara Casey.
But such essentials are usually hit or miss at most thrift stores, Lichtenstein says. Likewise, online sales are usually not as good as what you might find inside discount stores.
Log on for savings
Shopping online for shoes, however, is a super strategy, Freeman says.
“It surprised me to find a lot of parents are doing this,” she says, pointing out you can often avoid high taxes and shipping costs and find brands no longer available at stores this way.
“A lot of times kids don’t know what they want until they take a look at what their peers are wearing,” she says. “I’d wait at least a couple weeks after school starts to buy shoes.”
The key is to find the right size and color in the store first, then buy them online, she says.
To find discounts, both Lichtenstein and Freeman suggest searching on Google for the product’s retail name followed by the word “coupon.” “I can usually find a coupon every time I do this,” Lichtenstein says.
Another tip from Freeman: Don’t be afraid to ask in stores if you can get the same price you found online. “You might even ask the salesperson if she has access to any coupons you might use.”
In the end, bargain shopping may provide the bulk of your purchases, but you may want to splurge on a few new and trendy items, moms say.
“I have three girls to please,” Trank says, sheepishly admitting she may purchase the decorated jeans that her 8-year-old has her eye on, and possibly two Littlest Pet Shop lunch boxes for her 6-year-old twins.
“It is the start of school after all, and a brand new year, and these things make them feel special.”
Smart shopping tips
Compare prices first: Check school-supply ads in your newspaper. (Reality check: Do your own research. Don’t rely on what stores tell you.)
Swap hand-me-downs with other parents in the neighborhood.
Visit garage sales
Type your store name and “coupon” or “coupon code” into an online search engine and see what bargains pop up.
Bring outgrown clothes to consignment stores to get some money back.
Be wary of cartoon character-themed items; kids may outgrow them fast.
Get on e-mail lists of stores to receive advance notices of sales.
Let your kids learn from the experience and choose the thrift store where you shop. Some benefit people with disabilities or animals.
Places to go
ARC thrift stores offer high-quality secondhand clothes and new school supplies, including lunchboxes and backpacks, at 11 stores in the Denver area. Proceeds go to help people with disabilities;
Plato’s Closet buys and sells brand-name, gently used clothes and shoes for children and teens at six stores in Colorado. You can find hip and trendy names such as Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, Express, Hollister and more;
Buffalo Exchange buys, sells and trades unique and fun clothes and accessories. 230 E. 13th Ave. in Denver, 303-866-0165; or 1717 Walnut St. in Boulder, 303-938-1924.
Humane Society of Boulder Valley Thrift Shop sells quality secondhand clothes and more. Sales benefit homeless animals. 5320 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 303-415-0685
Green Back Family Consignment Store sells quality name- brand clothes for the family. 370 Main St., Longmont, 303-684-9355;
sandcastle-kids.com
