Savvy Strategies for Seven Shopping Problems

Problem: You overspend

Solutions: Pay cash.
It's a lot harder to purchase a $200 jersey dress if you have to count out every $20 bill you give to the cashier, rather than pulling out a credit card. Hit the ATM before you go shopping, and vow not to spend any more than you take out.

Take a breather.
Before making a big purchase, exit the store. Once you've escaped the enticing lighting and persuasive salespeople, you may very well realize that, no, you don't need that tie-dye tunic after all.

Avoid "buy one, get the second one half off" sales.
"Do the math. You're not getting that great a deal – about 25 percent off," says Jona Kessans, a former department-store supervisor. If the item is $50, you'll wind up spending $75 total, as opposed to $100.

Visit less affluent areas for sale merchandise.
Ritzier areas are more likely to sell out of an item before it has a chance to go on sale. "Wealthy people are generally more likely to buy items at full price than to wait for them to go on sale," says Tara Makarechi, a former salesperson. So if you live in an affluent area but still appreciate a bargain, visit a neighborhood that has less traffic or a community that is less posh.

Do an inventory of what you already own before you stock up on the new season's merchandise. Although fall fashions beckon,, you may be less tempted to buy a new one. On the same note, "never go shopping when your closet is empty because most of your clothes are dirty," says Amanda Ford.

Problem: You hate fighting crowds and sorting through messy merchandise

Solutions: Shop during the middle of the week.
Not only are stores less crowded on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday but you'll also get first dibs on new merchandise, according to many salespeople.

Wake up early.
"The best time to shop is in the morning," says Underhill. "The employees have yet to tire from irritable shoppers, the merchandise hasn't been picked over and displaced, and there's also comfort in the fact that you have time to come back for a purchase that needs to be mulled over."

Problem: You want to save time

Solutions: Make a shopping list.
You write down fruit, cereal, and toilet paper for the grocery store. Why hit a retail store, where you're likely to spend a lot more money, empty-handed? Write down what you want and where you plan to buy it.

Avoid the mall.
If you're looking for just one or two things, you may want to stop at a boutique or a freestanding department store.

Shop alone.
Women spend the most time in a store when they're shopping with a friend or a child, says Underhill. If you want to get in and out, go solo.

Problem: You're shy about asking for a discount

Solutions: Don't be shy.
"Ask for a discount on anything you buy - but not for a specific amount off. If you find a slight flaw or damage - or even if the product's packaging is mangled – you may be entitled to a discount.

Problem: The checkout line is way too long

Solutions: Ask the salesperson who has been waiting on you to put your item on hold. You can pick it up during a less busy time.

Head to another department to make your purchase. If you're in a large department store, for example, hit the less crowded men's or home-furnishings department.

Try it on now; buy it later.
Make sure the item fits, then see if you can order it online.

Problem: You love the skirt, but the only one in your size is on the mannequin

Solution: Give your name and number to the store manager.
Some shops will let you take clothes off a mannequin right away; others won't, due to safety and time issues, or the fact that retailers like their stores to be visually consistent.

Problem: Good service is hard to come by

Solutions: Share your story.
"Make the salesperson want to help you by explaining that you need a dress for a last-minute wedding or that you have a very important interview on Friday, assuming, of course, this is the case," says Ford. "Once the salesperson is involved, he may feel a bit more inclined to help."
Make friends with the salesperson. If you frequent a particular store or boutique, ask for a salesperson's business card, and always go to that person when you have questions about an item. Once you have established a relationship, the salesperson will be more likely to give you a heads-up about upcoming sales (when you're on the verge of paying full price) or to hold an item an extra day or two.

Ask twice, even three times.
In fact, many of the salespeople interviewed here - even some who work on commission – revealed that when asked to look in the back for an item, they will only pretend to do so, unless the customer refuses to back down. (They often feel it's not worth the effort, since the customer may not buy the item anyway.)

Think small.
Boutiques usually don't have as much traffic as large department stores, so you're more likely to get attentive service.

Look the part.
Sad but true! Some salespeople we spoke to shamefully admitted that they often decide whether to help a customer based on the type of clothes she is wearing or shopping bags she is carrying. If you want top-notch service – especially from high-end retailers who depend on a small percentage of shoppers for the bulk of their business (and thus don't necessarily need you to buy that one shirt) – sometimes it helps to play the game by dressing well and carrying a handful of shopping bags.