RETAIL SECRETS
I’m a TJ Maxx super fan – 10 shopping secrets the store doesn’t want you to know, including their price tag trick
A SEASONED TJ Maxx customer has shared things that will help you best navigate your next shopping trip at the bargain-filled chain.
Outside of keeping an eye out for the designer items sold at a fraction of the price, there are other things you should do to optimize your experience.
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In a , YouTuber Matt Granite who goes by 'The Deal Guy' on the platform, revealed some little-known TJ Maxx shopping secrets that you'll want to make note of.
TJ MAXX KNOCKOFFS ARE A REAL THING
"This is a subject of a bit of controversy, but TJ Maxx manufactures its own clothing, and they license designer brand names which they attach to the clothing," said Granite.
According to the savvy man, if you come across a designer item and you think the price is too good to be true, because it's super affordable and cost 80 percent less than everywhere else, you should do some digging.
Make sure you go beyond the brand name you see on the price tag and actually look at the label that's sewn inside the clothing.
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If the label on the inside doesn't have the designer brand name but instead says TJX Europe or Watford, it is one of the internal designer brands tied to TJ Maxx.
This isn't always the case though.
THE COMPARED PRICES ON THE PRICE TAGS ARE OFTEN BOGUS
"Now I don't wanna pick on TJ Maxx because I do love the store and I love the pricing.
"But the list price, just as what you would find at Target or Five Below, often portrays an inflated list price to convince you or make you feel that you are saving substantially more money than you actually are," said Granite.
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A compare price however is a little bit different from a list price, because the item has never actually ever retailed for that price.
THE ONLINE CLEARANCE SECTION IS SUPERIOR TO THE IN-STORE ONE
Granite explained: "With regards to the clearance section, you will do far better online than you will in-store, due to a high amount of traffic through the clearance sections, which are often strikingly small given the floor plan of a typical TJ Maxx."
He says it's often difficult to find the correct sizes and you'll sometimes see stockpiles of unfolded clothing.
You'll spend significantly less time shopping online.
IT'S THE BEST PLACE TO BUY PET PRODUCTS
"There is an incredible selection of dog beds and so many other products and accessories for your pets," Granite shared.
Many of the prices are comparable to what you would find at Dollar Tree, but they are substantially better quality, according to Granite.
YOU SHOULD PRICE COMPARE AGAINST THEIR COMPETITORS, NOT AMAZON
Granite said he's seen people walk around TJ Maxx with their Amazon app open. These people are price comparing the items in the store to Amazon items to know whether or not they're actually getting a good deal.
Apparently, the direct competitor to TJ Maxx is actually Macy's, and the clearance sections of both Saks and Nordstrom will replicate many of the items TJ Maxx offers.
YOU CAN BARGAIN FOR A LOWER PRICE IN A VERY SPECIFIC SECTION OF THE STORE
Granite urged TJ Maxx customers to look in the irregular goods section of the store for items that are marked with 'irregular good' price tags.
These items typically have a slight cosmetic imperfection. The prices are very negotiable, and sometimes you can't even tell that there's anything wrong with them.
THE GIFTCARDS
You should look through websites like Ray's, Gift Card Granny, or CardCash to save anywhere between three and sometimes 20 percent on a gift card, which you can then use at all of TJ Maxx's partner stores.
THE BEST TIMES OF THE YEAR TO SHOP
TJ Maxx has significant price reductions at certain times over the course of the year.
Purchases made between mid-October and Christmas Eve will bring you a good amount of savings.
And around July, August, and January, expect some of the best clearance sales.
THE WORST TIME TO SHOP AT TJ MAXX
Though the weekends are great for retail therapy, this is actually one of the worst times to shop at TJ Maxx, according to Granite.
This is because TJ Maxx marks its items down Monday through Friday.
Also, the beginning of the week is generally when new inventory arrives (typically on a Tuesday). That's when the prices are reduced, and by the weekend, most of those products are picked over, the sales are not as big, and you're essentially dealing with someone's leftovers.
So the earlier in the week you shop the better, and Monday through Friday are your key shopping times.
WHAT THE TAGS MEAN
"Know how to read a price tag at TJ Maxx, and you will have guaranteed success for all of your future shopping sprees," said Granite.
The white tag is typically a tag that has no sticker and it's the regular price.
A red tag on top of a white tag, or a red tag in general, indicates the clearance price of an item.
A blue tag means that your item is part of a set and should come with another coordinating piece.
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If you see a yellow price tag, you've hit the jackpot. That item is actually one of the lowest prices.
The purple price tag is tied to the runway collection of TJ Maxx stores, which is high-end designer fashion from last season that is offered to you the following season at around 70 to 80 percent off.